Landscaping Ideas for Privacy

Stone Privacy Walls

Stone Privacy Walls are one of the most popular outdoor landscaping project for privacy reasons. If you live in a subdivision with many neighbors, a privacy wall is the perfect project for your lounge area, pool, spa or just a great replacement for a wood fence.

As with any outdoor landscaping project, you must first plan your design. You should gather ideas from photo galleries, such as the one we have below, or from popular remodeling websites such as Houzz.  Purchase your stones from a reputable local supplier. All American Stone and Turf in Magnolia, Tx has a very large election of the highest quality rocks, stones, gravels, soil, mulch and also grass.

Landscaping Ideas for Privacy

Outdoor Shower Idea Photos

Earlier in the week we posted about creating an Outdoor Shower. We have received many requests about photo examples.

View our idea book on Houzz – http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/14865559/thumbs/Outdoor-Shower-Ideas

View more outdoor shower ideas – http://www.houzz.com/photos/landscape/outdoor-shower-

Outdoor Shower Idea Photos

How to Build an Outdoor Shower

An outdoor shower is a great space to rinse off, or can be a secluded space to relax. If you own a pool, have outdoor loving family members or enjoy outdoor relaxation then an outdoor shower is the perfect landscaping project. First and probably most difficult, planning your shower. Where do you put it? What materials do you use? What about plumbing? Always consult with a local professional before attempting any project like this.

First Step – Planning your Outdoor Shower

Pick out where you want to build your outdoor shower. Is this just to rinse off after swimming or are you planning to have a secluded area for relaxation and require privacy? Most simple showers can go close to the backdoor of your home while some may require to be built away from the house to allow for more room to build.

For this step, we strongly recommend looking at outdoor shower idea photos to help your decision. Here are some of our favorite – http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/14865559/thumbs/Outdoor-Shower-Ideas

Second Step – Choosing your Materials

The fastest growing trend in outdoor showers is to make everything out of rocks and stones. This gives your space a more natural feel plus rocks and stones tend to outlast most wooden structures.

Most people use large flagstones combined with gravel or pebbles as the base. Flagstones provide a nice, wide place to stand while gravel and other small pebbles allow the water to drain away. You may also plan to have a drain.

For the wall or benches in your shower, chopped or tumbled stones can be used to build up your wall. In reality there is no correct type of rock or stone to use to make your wall, it all depends on your preference.

Third Step – Choosing your Hardware

The plumbing can be the most difficult aspect of your outdoor shower. You will need at least one water line running to your shower but most people prefer a hot and cold line. Your shower hardware can generally be anything you want since the setup for an indoor shower is pretty much the same for the outdoor version.

Last Step – Putting everything together.

First, you should run your plumbing. Do the pipes come through the walls of the house or will they run underground and come up where your shower will be? You must plumb your shower first and test for any leaks before moving on.

Build your wall and base. Make sure all of your mortar is set before turning on your shower.

How to Build an Outdoor Shower

Pea Gravel Idea Photos

Earlier this week we gave you 6 ways to use Pea Gravel. This week we give you a photo gallery of beautiful outdoor settings that take advantage of Pea Gravel.

View the Gallery Here

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/14532318/thumbs/Pea-Gravel-Ideas

Pea Gravel Idea Photos

6 Brilliant Uses for Pea Gravel

Pea Gravel is a cheap material that can be used for a large variety of projects including landscaping, walkways, driveways, aquariums and more. Normally pea gravel can be purchased from just local landscaping supply yards, such as All American Stone & Turf in Magnolia. Here are just six brilliant uses for Pea Gravel.

Aquariums & Ponds

Pea gravel is an excellent alternative to pebbles or coral used as decor in the bottom of a tank. Make sure you wash the gravel before putting it into any aquarium. You can also use it to line the bottom of any ponds or streams you create in your garden. The color and shape of the gravel gives them great decorative and ornamental value.

Garden Landscapes

Creating a more natural garden setting can be achieved by adding areas of pea gravel. Make sure you plan our your garden layout on paper before you place any landscaping materials. It’s always a good idea to apply weed block or some type of plastic to prevent the growth of weeds. Make sure your gravel layer is thick enough to cover everything, leaving no thin areas.

Driveways

If you have a muddy or rough driveway surface, use pea gravel to improve your traction. During rainy seasons, mud can build up and dirt can be washed away. A thick layer of pea gravel (about 4 inches) can keep dirt in place and prevent mud build up.

Walkways

Pea gravel for walkways can create a very relaxing and therapeutic experience because the gravel makes a very crispy sound with every step. Because of this alone, paving a walkway with pea gravel has become one of the hottest trends in garden walkways. A depth of at least 3 inches is recommended.

Playgrounds

Pea gravel is an excellent alternative other playground materials because it can dry quickly and is generally soft to land on. Rain can easily drain away from pea gravel, which also washes away dirt and other allergens. The recommended depth is 4 inches.

Artificial Fountains

An artificial fountain is a very nice additional to any garden, park or yard. Typically the fountain base is made using cement, but in order to create a decorative quality to the base of the fountain, use a layer of pea gravel on the floor. The gravel will also cover any mud that would settle around the fountain base.

6 Brilliant Uses for Pea Gravel

Build a Bench or Stairs out of Stones and Rocks

Creating your very own bench or stairs out of rocks and stones can transform an ordinary landscape into a high end / custom landscape in just a weekend!

There really isn’t much to building a stone bench, you simply have to choose the type of stones you would like to use. Most people use chopped and tumbled stones combined with a large flagstone for the actual bench seat. You begin stacking stones until the bench takes shape. If you are worried about stability, you can apply some adhesive between the stones to give it more stability.

Building the states takes a bit more work since you will need to measure the height and calculate your run and rise. Measure how high your stairs need to be and how deep you want the steps. Choose rocks and stones that can be used to achieve those measurements. The first photo shown gives you a good idea on how it should look.

You will be required to dig out your stair path and even add in additional dirt and pack it down so you have a solid foundation. Making sure your foundation is solid before laying your stones is the most important factor with creating a stone stairway.

Build a Bench or Stairs out of Stones and Rocks

Moss Rock Garden Ideas

Moss rock gives your garden the feel of a thick forest or the ambiance of a damp cave. You get the feeling that those rocks have always been there and have a story to tell. Moss rocks around a fountain or swimming area bring a nature essence into the yard.

Moss rocks also function as irrigation channels and can camouflage power cords or plumbing. They can also deter cats, dogs and other animals from entering your garden.

The best placement of moss rock is a shady area. Always mix your moss rocks in with other natural rocks, making an irregular arrangement and also try to create heaps or piles. If you are experimenting with moss boulders, try placing them far apart, often as a center piece in a garden.

To view a large selection of moss rocks for your garden project, visit our store in Magnolia, Tx.

Moss Rock Garden Ideas