Build Life inside with a DiY Indoor Garden!

Folks from Lee’s Summit, Raymore, and on down to Harrisonville, Missouri have a huge love for gardening. Some may have even run out of room to plant anymore outside!!!  You know the ones I am talking about.  Even if you are not a “Green Thumb” per say, bringing your gardening indoors can be easy, fun, and even healthy! There are a great number of DiY garden plans online that are available to most people. Today, we want to take some time to show you some of our favorite DiY indoor gardens that are absolutely clever, and quite interesting to look at.

This garden is so intriguing. It almost makes you look twice at it just to make sure you’re getting all the details. A DiY garden like this works very well for most homes. It’s very accessible because almost everyone has a light bulb like this in use currently in their home, or they can get access to one. It’s good to reuse things after their main purpose has expired. Once the bulb breaks, you open the bottom end to allow airflow, and then place the plant with the dirt inside. This bulb will last you until the plant is too big for it’s home. You can then replant it very easily.

This garden can be made by connecting empty bottles through a string, or rope. Hanging them by the window in a chain pattern will allow them to really catch sunlight. This type of indoor garden is most useful for edible plants like herbs. Another plus is that they a great eye-catcher for people both inside and outside.

Needing to replace your gutters after a bad storm? Consider repurposing them into a nice indoor garden trough like this. These make for great gardens because of their adjustable sizing, their bigger size which resembles other lengthy planters, and their eye-catching look is sure to improve your home.

This hanging garden is absolutely gorgeous. If you’re able to get your hands on several globes, and enough wire to secure them, this garden can transform a room into a wonder of your neighborhood. Make sure the wire you use to hang them is strong enough to last, otherwise you’ll have a fantastic problem on your hands.

Thinking of trying any of these ideas in your home? Let us know which ones appeal to you, or show us some of your ideas that weren’t on this list.

Thanks for reading, and have a blessed day!

Mower Maintenance Makes More Money!

Summer is in full swing here, and it is hot. We’ve addressed mowing lawns in the Raymore, Lee’s Summit, and Blue Springs, MO, area a few times on our blog, but this time we want to talk about how to do season ending maintenance on your lawn mower.

Mower maintenance is critical for you to know. Why? Because when you are going to spend your hard earned money on something that you are counting on to keep the carpet of your yard (lawn) clean and beautiful, you’ll want to learn how to make that money work as long as possible for you. Here are some helpful ways for you to maintain your mower:

Keep your mower clean – Landscapers go to a lot of effort to keep their heavy tools clean, and it’s important for you to do the same. Not only is it easy to see damage on a clean mower, but the mower itself runs smoothly when it is clean inside and out. Make sure the deck and undercarriage are clean. Your mower will look great, it will run even better, and longer.

Check your machinery, and check ‘em often – This step is all about prevention. Make a point to regularly inspect belt tension, the sharpness of the blades, tire pressure, and even the deck itself. Keeping yourself abreast of all the needs of your machine will help you save money from costly repairs, as well as saving you time. It can be a real downer when you have to spend a lot of time and money to fix a problem that could have been fixed with a little extra greasing, or even replacing a few bolts.

Follow instructions carefully – How many things do we buy without ever reading that huge owner’s manual? It’s even more annoying when we can’t find it and there’s a problem with our machine. This is true with mowers as well. If your owner’s manual does not address a problem you have found with your mower, don’t fix it blindly. Call a professional. You could alter your mower irreparably, or even hurt yourself.

End of season tips – Make sure that your gasoline mowers are run at the end of the season till they are out of gas since it can go bad. Just like people, mowers don’t want to run well with bad gas. Also, make sure the oil is clean. It’s the blood of the machine after all. If you can, give it a tune-up as well.

Doing these simple tasks can really prolong the life of your mower, and your money as well. No matter what part of Kansas City you live in, whether it’s Bucyrus, Overland Park, Raymore, Blue Springs, or Lee’s Summit, you can have a beautiful lawn. The first step is taking care of your tools.

Thanks for reading, and have a blessed day!

For more tips:
monumentaloutdoor.com
http://landscaping.answers.com/lawn-care-equipment/5-important-lawn-mower-maintenance-tips
http://www.totallandscapecare.com/3-ways-to-keep-your-mower-out-of-the-shop/

Landscaping Pro Tip: How to Properly mulch a tree!

In this video we instruct you on how to properly mulch a tree. Our goal, as always, is to instruct you and keep you informed. Let us know how we can help you further! Subscribe, and comment if you have any questions, and we’ll get back to you ASAP!

monumentaloutdoor.com
monumentallawnandoutdoorblog.wordpress.c­om
https://www.facebook.com/MonumentalOu…
https://twitter.com/MonumentalKC

816-876-7272

Landscaping can be pet friendly!

Landscaping can be pet friendly

How many times have you looked at your yard and thought, “I should get some nice, high quality landscaping done in this yard,” only to look at your dog next and think, “Probably not.”

You’re not alone. It’s happened to a lot of people. Many homeowners in the Raymore and Lee’s Summit area think that it is not possible to own a beautiful yard if you own pets. We want to challenge you to think differently! Good landscaping and lawn care can provide a relaxing, beautiful spot for you and your pets to enjoy.

When it comes to designing a landscape that is pet friendly, you need to start by designing with your pets’ needs in mind. It’s important to know what you can put in a yard that will allow your pets to run around without tearing everything nice to pieces. So what are some things that you can do to improve your Raymore or Lee’s Summit area home? Here’s a few ideas for you:

Know your pets: The best way to plan a quality landscape plan for your yard is to know what quirks your pets have. What are their likes and dislikes? Are they frolickers, or relaxers?

Hardscapes: Hardscapes can be very useful in designing a yard that is fit for your pets, and you. Hardscapes can take a beating and keep on pleasing. Some yards use smooth flagstones with pebbles to form a dry creek bed that is safe and comfortable for your pets.

Mulch: Mulch is great for most landscapes because it enhances the look of your flower beds, keeps moisture locked in so your plants can stay happy, and it’s easy on the paws. It’s also too large to stick to most pets’ coats. Chipped mulch is recommended. However, it should be noted that some mulch can be harmful to pets if it is consumed. Make sure that you communicate with your landscaper about using “pet friendly” mulch.

Borders: Using driftwood or edge stones around a flower bed can be used to teach your pets where they can and can’t tread. This might take some time, but they’ll learn that borders mean “no”.

Sensible plants: Make sure to place durable, but soft plants next to high traffic areas. Avoid anything spiky or spiny, or potentially poisonous to your pets. These plants need to be tough.

Running paths: When you look at your yard, do you see a trail being made by your pets from their constant running over one path? Don’t worry about it. Turn that area into a running path and make it work for your yard’s beauty.

Lastly, make sure that your pets have a place to relax and bask in the sun, just like you wish to do too. Some pets like to be burrowers. If that’s the case, consider adding some chicken wire, or some rebar underground to deter them. Keep these things in mind, and your yard will be relaxing, beautiful, and fun for all members of your home.

For more tips:

http://www.sunset.com/garden/backyard-projects/dog-friendly-gardens/page2

monumentaloutdoor.com

monumentallawnandoutdoorblog.wordpress.com

Rainy weeks slideshow for 6/24/2014

Here’s a slideshow of our work during the rainy weeks in June. Enjoy!

 

Thanks for watching, and have a blessed day!

monumentaloutdoor.com

(816) 876-7272

Summer Flower Beds for Summer Beauty!

Show off those flower beds!

Flower beds are great additions to your home when used properly. They can also be a hassle when you don’t know what to add to them. What you put in your flower beds will either be a help, or a hindrance to the overall aesthetic of your house. I know you’re asking, “But how do I know what flowers I should plant in my flower beds?” 

We’re here to help. That’s why we’re landscapers. We don’t want to just sell you products. We want to help you by teaching you what we’ve learned. Here are some plants that will help your flower bed become beautiful. All of these plants are great for the Raymore / Lee’s Summit area.

Hostas: Even if you have a shady backyard, don’t worry. Hostas are shade loving plants and can grow in tough conditions. Fun fact: there are so many colors, shapes, and sizes to Hostas, that you can plant an entire garden of them, and still struggle with fitting each kind into your beds. Hostas are also enjoyable because of their gorgeous flowering colors, and sweet fragrance. A good companion to your Hostas are Astillbe. Their lacy leaves compliment the thick leaves of the Hosta.

Black-eyed Susan: These plants can grow around 2-feet tall, and have cheerful blooms. They are naturally resistant to drought conditions, as well as insects. They work well with bouquets as well. Because they’re loose and informal, they look great around cottage style homes. A good companion plant to these beauties are Asters. The gold of the black-eyed susan looks great with the blue or purple of the aster.

Cheery coreopsis: This is a low maintenance plant that sometimes likes to be neglected. They grow about 18 inches tall and make great border plants for your flower bed since they are short. They’re generally carefree in nature, and work great when accompanied by salvia. 

Sedum: These plants are tough, and work hard. Sedums get bigger each year, and are impervious to heat, drought, and disease. Sedums are good to have around because their color is long lasting, and their nectar-rich blooms attract pollinators. Sedums grow well with Thyme. The fine, pretty leaves of Thyme contrast the bold leaves of the sedum.

Coneflower: These plants are great at attracting butterflies, and complimenting bulkier plants. These plants generally grow up to 3-feet tall, and come in a variety of colors. They work well with Russian Sage, which makes a nice backdrop for pink and purple blooms like the coneflower. 

These are just a few ideas that can help improve your flower beds.

Thanks for reading, and have a blessed day!

For more tips:

http://www.gardendesign.com/ideas/design-a-showy-flowerbed-with-these-5-easy-care-perennials?pnid=140026#gallery-content

monumentaloutdoor.com

monumentallawnandoutdoorblog.wordpress.com

Dragon powered weeding!

Summer is a season where you, as a homeowner, just want your home to look nice and your flower beds to be popping! Weeds can really put a damper on those vibrant colors though. We wrote an article on how to control weeds in an earlier article. Today we want to address a method of weed control that wasn’t mentioned in our previous article. That method is weed burning. Weed burning is a valid method of weed control.

How it works: A line of torches on flameengineering.com have been developed to help with weed control. These torches are designed for different settings.

• The Red Dragon is their heavy duty 500,000 BTU model. This one is designed for business class work. It’s best uses are for ranches, road crews, construction, grounds maintenance, and so on. You may have even seen the MODOT crews using this type of equipment along the highways.
• The Weed Dragon is their most common model. It’s a 100,000 BTU output, and is most commonly used for clearing home gardens, but can be used on small acreage as well. 
• The Mini Dragon is a 25,000 BTU model that is used primarily for light duty spot weeding. It has a smaller nozzle than the other models, and is great for difficult to reach areas and focused weeding.

There are several YouTube videos that show how to use these torches: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhLCwDpTyn4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3V6Q8JvCqE

Aside from the obvious awesome feeling of blowtorching weeds out of your life, there are a few pros and cons to using these torches.

Pros: A lot can be said about the good of these things in that they use an eco-friendly fuel—propane. They eliminate chemical waste, and remove human contact with potentially harmful chemicals. Can be used year round and has multiple uses. Can be used to start a grill, a fireplace, or even get that fire pit going that we built for you. Also, it looks pretty awesome!

Cons: It can be dangerous as weeds and other small objects like maple seeds can catch fire while using. Unless you use the mini-dragon, this tool is only useful for mass weed clearing in large open spaces. If you have anything you want to keep alive next to a weed, you’ll need to get it by hand. This torch’ll kill it. Also, if you burn the weed at the wrong time of the year, and it has started seeding, you might help in spreading the weed rather than killing it.

Is this a useful tool? Yes, it can be very useful. If you have a large project that needs done, this could be the tool for you. If you do buy one and use it, please comment on this post and let us know how it worked for you.  And of course, please be safe, and use extreme caution by reading the user’s manual and following all of the manufacturers directions.

For more tips:

monumentaloutdoor.com

http://lawncare.about.com/od/productreviews/gr/weedflamer.htm

https://www.flameengineering.com

http://www.dewittlandscaping.com/2014/06/04/organic-weed-control-methods/

Outdoor living done right!

Outdoor living spaces are great because they provide aesthetic beauty, provide protection from the summer heat, as well as provide a comfortable gathering area for friends and family. Another thing that is important to consider when investing in an outdoor living space is how many months of the year it is going to be used, and how you make your outdoor living space go from season, to seasons!

Heat – You can’t ignore the fact that it gets pretty hot in the Raymore/Lee’s Summit area of Kansas City. The temperatures get really high in July and August, and may have you thinking about how appealing that AC is. Consider how adding shaded structures to your patio can help with temperature control. Adding things like covered pergolas, umbrellas, and awnings can do wonders in keeping the sun’s rays directly off your patio. Another thing to consider is how fully, or partially, covering your patio can help. Perhaps retractable umbrellas and awnings are the way to go for your home. There are lots of things to consider that can all fit within your budget, and your landscaper can help you make the choice that works for you.

Cold – You have invested good money into an outdoor living space. You had a lot of fun with it in the summer too! You had friends over all the time enjoying your patio and yard. But, now the colder months of the year are rolling around. You paid good money for that outdoor living space, and you want to get the most out of it. Consider how adding a fire pit or fireplace to your patio can help you keep the outdoor fun going even when the heat goes down. As lighting, for cooking, or even as a focal point, a fire pit or outdoor fireplace can help you out. Ask your landscaper for what works best for you.

Natural – Planting shade trees around your home can also bring a natural temperature control to your home, while adding aesthetic beauty. Trees can block the sun’s rays, wind, as well as act as a natural umbrella against rain to some degree. Some shrubs can also help with this. Your local landscaper has the knowledge to help you know what would work best.

These are just a few things that can help you out.

Thanks for reading, and have a blessed day!

For more tips:

monumentaloutdoor.com

totallandscapecare.com

monumentallawnandoutdoorblog.wordpress.com

photo credit:

Home

Landscape slideshow 5/20/2014-6/4/2014

A collection of photos from Monumental Lawn & Outdoor LLC’s projects from 5/20/2014-6/4/2014. Happily serving the Raymore, Lee’s Summit, and greater Kansas City area.
monumentaloutdoor.com
816-876-7272

The Garden that’s built to last.

You’re looking at that nice rock garden in your backyard, and it dawns on you that you don’t have any color to go with this great decorative rocks. It’s difficult to know exactly what rocks work well with rock gardens, especially in the Raymore/Lee’s Summit area where the soil can get tricky at times. After doing some research, we’ve managed to find some plants that we think would look great with any rock garden in the Raymore/Lee’s Summit area.

Annuals: 

Moss Rose – Low-growing, tolerant of heat and cold. Comes in an array of vivid colors, including fuchsia, deep red, orange, white, yellow, and variegated. Grows 6 to 9 inches tall and 14 to 18 inches wide. Full sun.

Shrubs:

Junipers – Junipers in general do very well in rock gardens, so this is a very safe plant to put in.  

Perennials:

All Gold Japanese Forest Grass – Dramatic golden foliage looks like tiny bamboo plants. Clumping habit. Grows 18 inches tall and wide. These plants look best in half-shade. 

Dianthus – Tolerate high light and cool nights of traditional rock garden settings. Many different colors including dark pink, purple and rose. 

Succulents:

Blue Spruce Sedum – Bluish color looks like tiny blue spruce trees.  Low-growing and spreading habit. Grows 6 to 10 inches high and 10 to 12 inches wide.

Thanks and have a blessed day!

For more tips:

Totallandscapecare.com

Monumentallawnandoutdoorblog.wordpress.com