There are a number of things to consider when laying down sod in your yard. Weekend warriors may be able to tackle a reasonably sized DIY sod job if they are willing to put in the time, research, and labor.

Here are a few important topics to consider in advance:

• Selecting the right type of sod for your needs and region
• Measuring your lot to determine how much to order
• Removing old grass and weeds
• Preparing the soil
• Scheduling delivery (check the weather!)
• Sod Installation
• Watering frequency
• Insecticides
• Rooting
• Mowing
• Maintenance 

If you are looking for professional assistance, installation, or just answers to the questions listed above, contact us any time. We specialize in sod installs and serve the Greenville area of upstate of South Carolina. We would be happy to talk with you about your yard's specific needs!

​Things to consider when choosing and planting new trees in South Carolina...
Having the perfect shade tree in your front yard is an either/or scenario. Typically, you either inherit it when you purchase your property, OR you planted it 10 years ago. If 10-years-from-now is where you're starting, then here are some great things to consider when planting your next shade tree.

Tree Type
If you are looking for a quick solution the Aussie Hybrid Willow Tree is a great option. They are bred specifically to be one of the fastest-growing trees in the world! They are easy to maintain and can grow up to 15 feet in the first year! Use them to create a privacy hedge, natural windbreak, or to add shade to your outdoor spaces.  Aussie Hybrid Willows will mature to around 50 feet tall and 35 feet wide.

Other types of trees that grow well in South Carolina include Ash Trees—they grow fast and tend to be more resistant to disease. Kwazan, Weeping, and Yoshino Cherry Trees are stunning in the spring, graceful, and colorful. The Bald Cypress Tree is both beautiful and brawny. They can easily adapt to drought conditions and thrive in areas without regular draining. Plant them near walkways and by streets to boost your home’s curb appeal. The. Flowering Crabapple Trees, and River Birch Trees are also popular options to consider.

Location
Be sure to consider the full-growth size of your tree before planting. Make sure that your new shade tree won't end up growing eventually growing into the powerlines (nothing looks worse than the trim job from your local power company every other year). It's also a great idea to plan out future landscaping dreams now because you won't be able to change them easily once a large tree is firmly rooted. And then most importantly, consider the rising and the setting of the sun during the summer months. Where do you want to direct the shade most? Optimize your planting location to ensure that you achieve the desired result. 

There are a number of other considerations to think through (canopy spread, form, shape, soil, sun, and moisture requirements, proper pruning, local pollination, etc.) and we'd be happy to help provide advice and landscaping services to suit your needs! Contact us any time with questions or schedule a free on-site visit today! 

There are certain things to know before purchasing a landscape lighting system.

Make sure  you purchase the 3 main components - A Transformer, Wire, and Lights. The transformer is the power house of your system. All electrical current from the house is converted into a low voltage system that is safe to power your lights. To figure out what type of transformer you need make sure that you add up the total wattage of all your lights and then multiply that total by 1.5. The total will then be your  wattage that you will need for your transformer. The wire that needs to be purchased is a standard 12 gauge wire. This is suitable for all low voltage installs. Lights come in all shapes, sizes, and quality. We will go over the various lights and the pros and cons in a different blog.

Find a power source where you can plug your low-voltage transformer into a GIF grounded outdoor power outlet just like you would any common household electrical item. Make sure you find an outlet that's close to where you want to install your lighting.

Pick a location on your property where there isn't any need to dig very deep. The wire is usually installed no more than 5 inches below the ground using a flat shovel. Sometimes you can simply run the wire  along the ground and tuck them behind plantings or covering them lightly with dirt or mulch. Most light fixtures include stakes so you can simply insert them in the ground.

Go with led lights. They use less energy, and allow you to run your system on a smaller transformer that takes up less wattage. They also last a lot longer than other bulb types, with hardly any maintenance.

Make sure you create layers for your lighting by using various style lights like path lights, bullet lights, wash lights, moon lights and other creative options. You will want your lighting design to showcase specific areas of your house and landscaping.

There are several types of different landscape lighting to choose from. Below we will discuss the most popular options.

Path lighting is by far the most popular landscape lighting. This type lighting comes in many different styles and is used to primarily light up walkways or front entry ways leading to the house. Most path lighting consist of a 2 to 2 1/2 watt led bulb in a fixture that is typically 18-24" high. The taller the fixture is the wider the coverage of light. You can use path lighting to lighten up low lying plants as well as stonework at ground level. You usually want to stager the path lighting and space out every 5 to 10 feet. Try to keep the lights in mulch or garden beds as much as possible so there wont be any need to weed eat around the light fixture.

Up lighting or bullet lights are also very common. This type of light, if led comes in a 4 or 5 watt bulb. Some of the fixtures can be adjusted for a wider beam to highlight a broader area. Up lighting is used to highlight the front of the house or different trees and shrubs. Up lighting fixtures need to be 12 to 18 inches away from trees or shrubs in order not to create a "hot spot" area. You will want to hide the fixture behind a plant if all possible to be more visually appealing. Its common to use several lights to highlight larger plants and trees with one light shining on the trunk and the other on the various branches.

​Wash light is used to highlight larger areas with a softer light. Generally these lights are more expensive and typically range from 4 to 5 watt for led.  Wash lights are great for highlighting horizontal areas such as signs or rock facings that require more light for a broader area.

Down lights or moon lights are designed to hang upside down in trees and create a "moon light" effect in and around the area. This light is great to use when highlighting surrounding patios and decks that need extra light. Usually these will use a blue filter tint to create a more realistic look. These lights also come in a 4 to 5 watt led bulb.

Well lights are 4 to 5 watt led lights that are flush level with the grass or soil. These lights are typically used when there is need to mow over the light fixture. These lights are very durable and have thicker glass. Well lights highlight areas such as shrubs and trees.

Specialty lights - These lights usually consist of hardscape lights or aquatic lights. Hardscape lights are generally installed during new installation. These lights highlight patios and walls for a more visually appealing look. Aquatic lights are used for koi pond and other water features. They are used to highlight the beauty of the water or a waterfall.