Your small backyard may not be able to accommodate an in-ground swimming pool or an expansive deck, but there are plenty of ways to utilize this space for entertaining. From strategically placing your outdoor seating to adding small platform steps, there are subtle ways to enhance your outdoor living space. Here are simple ideas to transform a small backyard landscape into an integral part of your home.

Planting privacy

Adding large, leafy plants are an elegant way to screen your backyard space while framing the view to your house. You can also create a private, cozy retreat by planting enough small shrubs to screen out the neighborhood view. At the same time, you can install a low split-rail fence with a couple rows of shrubs at the end of your property to create the illusion your yard is bigger.

Installing a fireplace

Backyard fireplaces add a level of warmth that is perfect for a cozy backyard seating area. They are also available in a variety of sizes and materials. This means you can install an outdoor fireplace that won’t overwhelm the seating area with its size.

Removing clutter

In a smaller backyard, space is a premium. As a result, you should include built-in seating when possible and only add enough plants necessary to make a statement in the seating area. At the same time, you can leave some room in the seating area to bring additional chairs outside when guests are over.

Tucson landscapers Brian and Garrett Ham originally began Santa Rita Landscaping to offer landscaping services in Tucson and southern Arizona. Today, we have become one of the best and largest companies offering landscape design Tucson. For more information, call (520) 623-0421.

Whether your yard simply needs new plantings or is in need of a completely new landscape design, it can be overwhelming to make landscape design choices. A great way to begin your landscape designing is by making a list of how you want to use the space. From there, you can start to consider where to place furniture, entertainment areas, and privacy-enhancing trees.

Add versatile gravel

You can use Decomposed Granite (D.G.) to enhance walkways, work areas and social spaces in your backyard. It’s also a great addition to your backyard because it fits easily with plants and shrubs, while staying attractive for a long period of time. To create a more artistic backyard landscape design, combine decorative rock with ornamental grasses in your backyard.

Incorporate pebbles and bricks

To add visual interest to your landscape, incorporate natural pavers of bricks and pebbles. Even though this material blends into the landscape, you can arrange the bricks and pebbles in an attention-getting design.

Focus on natural materials

A great way to make your smaller yard look bigger is by creating deep borders with layers of taller plants. Not only does this make your yard look bigger, but also the plants and trees give the yard a natural, soothing feel.

Narrow surrounding spaces

Creating an interesting paving pattern on the side of your house can help make the space more interesting. You can also add dimension to the space by incorporating different tile designs and adding a variety of plants in pots.

Include smaller stones as mulch

Applied to the surface area of soil, mulch helps conserve moisture and improve the health of the soil. To make your outdoor landscape more interesting, consider pairing smaller stones with larger rocks around the backyard trees as mulch.

At Santa Rita Landscaping, we have been in the business of landscaping and landscape design in Tucson since 1985. Call (520) 623-0421 to learn about our residential design and commercial landscaping maintenance services. Our owners have more than 75 years of combined experience with Tucson landscaping.

Succulents contain thickened, fleshy structures for retaining water, making them perfect for desert landscapes. In addition, succulents come in a variety of colors, including blue-green, pink, yellow, and red. They can also be found with rounded leaves or needlelike spiky leaves, so homeowners have many options when incorporating succulents into a Tucson landscape design.

Drain soil well

In order for your succulents to thrive, you need to make sure the soil is well drained. If you’re planting succulents near moist areas, consider building an elevated mound first. Planting succulents on the mound will keep the moisture sensitive succulents healthy, while the rest of your landscape absorbs water. You can prevent the mound from eroding by incorporating gravel and other stones for support.

Mix succulents

Succulents are incredible landscape plants because they come in a variety of forms and textures. You can use this to your advantage by mixing the different types of succulents found in your landscape. For example, you can accent an entry garden with textured Euphorbia tirucalli and with pointed Aloe marlothii simultaneously. This is a considerably low maintenance combination when compared to plants that shed or die in the winter season.

It is important to know the cold tolerance of the species you choose. Some succulents will need to be covered during frost.

Grow against contrast backdrop

Succulent plants appear more dramatic when grown against a high contrast background, such as a colored wall. A bright background will give the succulents more of a sculpture appearance than a plant-like appearance.

Use when spatially challenged

Succulents are limited in the growth size, so they are very effective in smaller backyards. For example, succulents make a great addition to a narrow side yard because they offer ranges of colors that are pleasing to visitors without taking up too much space.

Call (520) 623-0421 to learn about landscape maintenance and landscape design Tucson with Santa Rita Landscaping. We have been in the landscaping business in Tucson and Southern Arizona since 1985. We also offer custom residential design and installation as well as commercial landscaping maintenance.

Installing an outdoor fireplace is a great way to ensure that the time you spend outside of your home is as enjoyable as the time spent indoors. Outdoor fireplaces are small, enclosed areas housing an open fire. No matter the size of your property, you can adjust the size and design of your outside fireplace to accommodate your property and comfort.

Attractive backyard touch

While an outside fireplace can help keep your family warm on chilly outdoor evenings, it can also enhance the overall beauty of your yard. Outdoor fireplaces are available in a variety of materials, such as iron, brick, stone, and stucco, so you can choose the material that suits your creative style.

Fire hazards

Even though outside fireplaces are safe, installation creates threat of fire if you and your family don’t use the fireplace properly. Luckily, you can mitigate the threat of fire by keeping children and small pets away from the fireplace while it’s in use. You should also make sure the fireplace area is kept clean, neat and clear of debris. Install a spark arrestor to catch any flying embers. When you are done using the fireplace for the night, make sure you fully extinguish the flames instead of leaving the firewood to burn out on its own.

Entertainment

Whether it’s winter or summer, you and your family can use the fireplace for evening cookouts or cozy chats with friends. In today’s fast-paced lifestyle, friends and family members don’t often get the chance to slow down and enjoy an evening together. Unlike watching a television or going to a movie, gathering around an outside fireplace gives people the opportunity to socialize and reconnect with one another. While sitting and talking around the fireplace, you and your guests can also indulge in roasting marshmallows.

The three owners of Santa Rita Landscaping have more than 75 years of Tucson landscaping experience. We have become one of the best and largest companies for landscape design in Tucson. If you would like to learn more about landscape design and landscape maintenance options in Tucson, please call (520) 623-0421.

Tucson winters are different from most other places in the country. If you want to keep your winter lawn looking great, it is important to figure out what kind of care it needs during the season. Here are some tips on maintaining your winter lawn to keep it in the best condition:

Overseed With Rye Grass

The only way to have a green lawn in the winter is to overseed the existing bermudagrass with rye seed in October. The rye will last until May when the weather gets hot and then the bermuda will come back in on its own as the rye dies out.

Do Not Water as Much

Although it might seem counterintuitive, you do not want to water your grass as frequently during the winter. In the hot summer months, the lawn needs more water to stay moisturized. In the winter, though, using less water makes the lawn grow less so it becomes dormant in time for the colder weather. You should only water it enough to barely wet the soil. If you wet it too much, it might not be able to absorb all of the moisture.

Mow the Lawn

Once the grass reaches two inches in height, you can start to mow it to keep it between one and two inches. It is important to keep the grass at this height so it can survive the winter and continue to look its best during the rest of the year. It is important to mow rye grass a little shorter starting in mid-March as the weather gets warmer. This allows the underlying bermuda to get more sun and warmth so it can start its revival.

Hire a Professional Landscaping Company

If you do not feel comfortable caring for your lawn during the winter, you might want to hire a professional company to do it for you. With their help, you can ensure that you are giving your lawn the maintenance that it needs to thrive. Working with professional landscapers is an efficient and easy way to keep your exterior design looking its best throughout the year.

Whether you need help maintaining your lawn or you want to completely redo your landscape design, Santa Rita Landscaping is here for you. Since 1985, we have worked hard to create and maintain beautiful landscapes throughout the Tucson area. We offer both residential and commercial services to meet all of your landscaping needs. For more information on our services, visit us online or call (520) 623-0421.