New Home Landscaping Is Golfer’s Dream

A putting green is just one of the special elements of the full landscaping plan Seiler’s Landscaping did for this client who built a custom home in Maineville. New home landscaping provides a blank slate, which is always both challenging and exciting. 

Speaking of challenges, because the home was designed in 2020, the landscape design process was all done virtually. Revisions made over video calls moved the design closer and closer to the homeowners’ dream of creating curb appeal in the front and beautiful outdoor living spaces around the home. In the end, we were able to present a plan that the homeowners truly loved. 

“We wanted to make sure all the outdoor elements worked well with one another and complemented the beautiful stone and brick on the house,” said Will Seiler, president of Seiler’s Landscaping. 

One major challenge was the steep slope of the site. Our plan for the landscaping included building a retaining wall to create a flat backyard space that would be perfect for the putting green. A curving bed and plantings soften the look of the stonework and blend the retaining wall with the sloping side yard. 

A screened outdoor living area overlooks the level backyard, which is ringed with curving plant beds.

A cobblestone driveway and walkway to the side porch echo the home’s French country style. Special ordered from Canada, the cobblestone pavers create a charming look and make a memorable impression.  

The client and Will Seiler share a love of golf, so creating a putting green right in this home’s backyard was an exciting project. A flagstone patio creates a spot to sit and watch the family golfers practice their short game.

Just outside the screened outdoor living space, a bubbling water feature appeals to the senses with textured rock columns surrounded by river rock, the sound and feel of splashing water and colorful pockets of seasonal plantings.

Along the side of the home, a stacked stone wall borders a bed and complements the stone accents around the windows and porch post supports.

Seiler’s landscape design for this new home included shrubs and perennials that thrive in the Cincinnati climate, select trees and LED lighting to make sure the home continues to shine after the sun sets.

A curved cobblestone walkway runs along the front of the home, adding even more curb appeal. “It takes a village to build a project like this,” Will Seiler says, praising everyone on the team from the front office staff to the construction foreman to the material acquisition point person to the crew.

From Design to Reality

Are you in the market for new home landscaping or ready to renovate your current landscape? We’d love to discuss your options in a free consultation. Contact us today. 

All Things Considered: The Key to Backyard Design

A truly amazing backyard starts with a truly amazing backyard design. But it takes a thorough and comprehensive approach to turn a landscape dream into a reality. From function to flow to furniture, here are the aspects we always consider when designing a perfect backyard for our clients. 

Function First

The first question to ask is simple: What do you want from your space? Do you want to host social gatherings and parties with all your friends and family? Do you want a way to spend more time with your family? Maybe you want to “get away” in your own backyard with a space designed for tranquility and relaxation. Or maybe you want a designated space for your favorite hobbies like gardening. 

The desired function of a backyard is an important base to any landscape design. For social gatherings, you might want a full outdoor kitchen and decked-out patio or maybe a pool and firepit perfect for parties. For family time, you’d want plenty of seating like an outdoor dining area. You might also look for plenty of open green space for kids to play or a grill island for long-weekend holidays. A “home away from home” would benefit from tranquil water features like a pond or a fountain. Additionally, a reading nook and some benches and pergolas would provide designated spaces to unwind. For those with a green thumb who love to garden, you could have flower beds and a storage shed on your must-have list. A shed would also come in handy for other hobbies, and a gazebo would be perfect for outdoor yoga and exercise.

It’s also important to know how involved you want your backyard to be. How much upkeep are you willing to do throughout the year? Pools have to be maintained and reopened every year and certain plants are more high-maintenance than others. Conversely, if you want beds that require less maintenance, consider perennial plants that come back every year and an easy-to-sweep deck or patio.

Not-So-Empty Space

The next step in backyard design is to take stock of the space, firstly the size. How much space do you have to play with? No one wants an overcrowded backyard, and it’s important to think about the size plants and trees will reach as they mature. Also keep in mind what’s already there. Is there an AC unit or dryer vent you want to cover up or a giant oak tree you want to keep as a focal point? 

Equally important is how the natural elements interact with the space. Pay attention to how the sun moves throughout the day and which areas get direct sunlight and for how long. A dining area that gets full sun for six hours a day might be a little too hot at mealtime. Likewise, your designer will need to know the best places for plants and where to put your full-sun shrubs versus your partial shade flowers. If you’re looking to add some shade, consider the best shady trees. Understanding prevailing winds in your backyard will help avoid placing your amazing firepit in a particularly breezy area. 

Backyard design on a sloped site calls for additional forethought. A hillside could benefit from retaining walls, which can also create a focal point of your favorite plants. Take note of any areas where water collects and consider adding some way of drainage. If you live near a busy road or have close neighbors, you can add some needed privacy with hedges or fencing. 

A Natural Flow

For an amazing backyard design, flow and focal points are vital. Not only should the design itself flow, but it should flow from inside your house to your yard. Consider your home’s exterior and match it. Contemporary, traditional, lavish, rustic — any and all of these styles can be complemented with a stunning backyard. 

The best way to flow from one area to another is through paths. These can be paved or tiled to match your aesthetic, or go for a more natural look with stepping stones or crushed gravel. If you want to continue a natural look, utilize curves in your flower beds and other design choices. Straight lines make for a cleaner look and help draw the eye to focal points. 

A great backyard is not only useful and practical but also a space that people enjoy looking at and using. Focal points allow for a cohesive look and highlight the thoughtful design. Consider the space as a whole and ensure one really amazing backyard rather than disjointed sections. 

Before You Start

If you’re environmentally minded, a backyard can incorporate sustainability in its design. This includes planning water conservation and minimizing runoff as well as planting pollinator-friendly and native plants. 

Before bringing the design to life, it is critical to ensure everything can happen according to plan. This means following local codes and regulations as well as checking that you won’t run into any electric, gas or other utility lines. 

An Eye for Perfection

All of these factors go into Seiler’s thoughtful backyard designs for our clients. From timeless English gardens to modern outdoor kitchens and tranquil reading nooks to exciting pools, any dream can go from design to reality. 

If you already have some design ideas for your backyard, contact us today and let’s talk about all your options.  

Dealing With Cicadas: Do’s and Don’ts

People all over the Cincinnati area are wondering again about dealing with cicadas. For many people, cicadas are a new phenomenon. But even those who lived through the last invasion 17 years ago may need a refresher on these winged visitors. Read on for a few do’s and don’ts when it comes to cicadas and your landscaping.

Don’t Panic

With their red, beady eyes and impressive (for an insect) size, cicadas do look a bit scary. Rest assured, they don’t harm people or pets. So, don’t panic if they land near you or even fly into you.

Do Protect Young, Woody Plants

Cicadas burrow up out of the ground as nymphs, shed their husks, then fly up into the trees, where they chorus loudly and mate for several weeks. The females make slits into twigs or trunks of small trees to lay their eggs. Established trees may suffer damage at branch tips. (You may even see this damage to leaves, which is called “flagging.”) Young trees or shrubs could sustain heavier damage, so it’s best to cover them with mesh or cheesecloth for the six weeks or so this spring when cicadas are here.

Don’t Use Pesticide

As mentioned, cicadas aren’t dangerous. They don’t carry disease or pose a threat to most plants and trees, so there’s no need to plan an assault; chemical or otherwise. Just leave them be and they will leave us in just a few weeks.

Do Thank a Cicada Today

Cicadas do offer a few benefits: One of them is that they aerate the soil for us. You may come across the holes they leave behind in your garden beds or around the base of trees. Anything that eats insects (yes, that includes some humans) looks forward to the brood emerging as a swarm of tasty snacks. The cicadas also serve to help “prune” established trees and they return beneficial nitrogen to the soil as they die. You can compost the dead cicadas if you like.

Don’t Hesitate to Call Us 

With our decades of experience, we’ve helped clients through other cicada visitations over the years. Feel free to contact us if you have questions about this natural phenomenon and how to prepare your landscaping for the onslaught.

Outdoor Living Trends for 2021

Spring is finally here and summer is just around the corner. A little rain can’t keep us out of the yard! Looking forward to spending some time outside soaking up vitamin D? Read about the hottest trends in outdoor living.

Outdoor Kitchens

Cooking and eating outside is a great way to spend a little more time outside each day. You might also be able to invite more people over once restrictions on gathering are lifted. Save money by cooking and entertaining at home.

You can decide how complete you want the space to be. A variety of appliances are perfect for outdoors like a grill, cooler, refrigerator, pizza oven, table or bar. 

If you have limited outdoor space, you can use a bar cart to easily move things outside. You can also have a fold-up table.

Privacy

Most of us have spent more time at home in the past year than any year before. Consequently, we have learned to make use of every square inch of space on our property. People are bringing the indoors outside, and with that comes the need for privacy. No one wants a nosy neighbor watching you do your morning yoga or the hot sun beating down on you for hours on end. More and more people are turning to solutions to increase the privacy of their backyard oasis, including covered patios and plant barriers. 

Covered patios and pergolas are “hot” trends that can keep you cool. Bioclimatic pergola systems are a unique feature to add to your outdoor living space. The Axis Smart Glass Bioclimatic System by Suntech-Albayrak Group won the 2021 IBSx Award for Best Outdoor Product.

Tall plants, like hedges, placed around the edges of a yard create a natural fence. They can also block off just a portion of the yard with a patio or pocket garden. For those with smaller spaces to work with, sheltered side yards work just as well. Other options include living walls, curtain screens and trellises. 

Outdoor Offices

Hybrid and remote work have taken precedent for businesses today. Having an office space outside prevents feelings of being cooped up inside a stuffy house, especially during the beautiful, albeit hot, summer months. The best place to create these spaces is at the back of the house with direct access to the patio and yard. Cubicles are about 6 feet by 6 feet, so if you can afford that much space you can create an outdoor office.

Important pieces to have are a seating area and table. Make sure they are built to withstand outdoor weather conditions. Relevant decorations include lighted cubes, portable rechargeable lanterns and outdoor speakers. Just be sure to not leave any important papers or electronics outside if the area isn’t covered! An awning or covered patio can keep your space out of the elements. Adding amenities like water features or fans reduce outside noise, and adding plants makes the area more calming. 

Garden office “pods” or sheds are another option, although more labor intensive. An 8-by-10-foot space is suitable for an outbuilding. The best part? No traffic on your commute! It’s just one reason these work sheds or pods are one of the top outdoor living trends for 2021.

Backyard Cottages

You might have heard of a “she shed,” but how about taking it to another level with a whole cottage outside? They are also called accessory dwelling units (ADUs) or “granny flats.” Make sure to check with your local building codes before designing. 

You can use the space to house older relatives or adult children needing a home, or simply create an outdoor retreat to escape the mess of the main house. Other uses include study spaces, spare living suites, home offices, gyms or meditation studios. The primary use of the space will determine the decor you need. 

Complementing the building with greenery will help it flow visually in the backyard. With a new build, you can fully customize the style of your cottage or you can purchase a prefabricated unit. One of the walls can be all windows to allow for a view of the garden. Having AC or fans will keep you comfortable inside. 

Your Favorite Outdoor Living Trends 2021

What would your dream outdoor living space look like? Seiler’s Landscaping specializes in creating award-winning landscapes for everyday moments. Contact us today to bring the inside out.

Designing a Grill Island: For You or Your Grill Master

You have dreamed of it. You have planned it. You deserve it. Yes, we are talking about your very own, custom-designed outdoor grill island. And why not splurge a bit on this backyard amenity? There’s something special about food hot off the grill.  

When dreaming up your grill island, be sure to consider location, location, location. That seems like it is just one thing but it is everything where a backyard grill island is concerned. Even with our sometimes harsh Cincinnati climate, you can grill outside year ‘round. Consider the path of sunlight in your yard and plan accordingly. Would you like some kind of roof over the grill island to protect you from the sun or snow accumulation? How close to your house do you want your island to be? Where will you eat outside? These factors will all help determine where to place your grill island. 

Island Elements

Obviously the star of the grill island is the grill. Do you research online and at local grill dealers to ensure you are getting the grill that is right for you. The size of the grill will also help determine how large your island should be. 

Photo courtesy of Unilock

Storage is another factor to consider when designing a grill island, which can be outfitted with cabinets and drawers. How much storage space should you include? Consider the items you tend to need while grilling. Just think about all the times you’ve been outside cooking and had to yell, “Honey, can you bring me the…”  

• Wire brush

• Spatula or turner 

• Tongs

• Flat pan with a lip for veggies

• Kebab skewers

• Tin foil

• Meat thermometer 

These items will need to be kept handy, but out of sight to keep your grill island from looking cluttered.  

Beyond the grill, you might opt for other appliances in your grill island. Consider adding a small refrigerator for drinks, condiments and anything else you’d like to keep chilled while you make dinner. A sink is handy for washing hands and rinsing dishes. The combination of a grill and a kegerator could be a dream come true. We can help you source these outdoor appliances.

Speaking of drinks, an outdoor bar can be a natural extension of the grill island. If you don’t plan for it, you will wish you had. And you know friends will want to gather around the bar, so think about adding seating to the area as well. 

As you design your grill island, think about the type of countertop you’d prefer. Remember you want the surface to be easy to clean, durable and good looking. Stone or concrete countertops can fit the bill. 

Grill Islands Inside and Out 

When we add grill islands to our clients’ outdoor living spaces, we start with a metal frame and, typically, a gas line. The frame provides sturdy structure and houses the grill, cabinets and other appliances. The frame can be faced with brick, pavers or engineered stone to give the island a look that complements your home’s hardscaping. Once the structure is complete and the appliances installed, you’re ready to fire up the grill.

Would you like to plan a (grill) island getaway? Talk to our expert designers and planners who can help you create an oasis of good food and great company in your backyard. Contact us today.

Making Phased Landscape Design Work for You

Renovating your landscaping or creating all new landscaping around a just-built home can feel overwhelming. If you’d like to take the project in smaller chunks, consider a phased landscape design. This type of approach can also help you with budgeting time and money.

First things first: It’s best to start with a master plan for the whole yard. This plan, created by a landscape designer, envisions the big picture for all aspects of your landscaping. Starting with a goal in mind allows you to choose which phases to tackle first. It should also help you avoid situations like having to dig up already planted beds to run plumbing and electric for an outdoor kitchen. 

Where to Start

To create a comprehensive landscape plan, Seiler’s clients work with our designers to map out a complete vision of their dream landscaping. From there, we work with our crews to put the plan in motion. 

So where should you start? A good rule of thumb would be to begin with what best increases the “value” of your home. We are not necessarily talking about value in monetary terms. For instance, if you and your family want to spend more time in your backyard on a new patio, then invest the time and effort on that portion first. The outdoor living space will increase your enjoyment of your yard, which is definitely valuable. 

Here are some parts of a master landscape plan that can be done in phases: 

• Hardscaping: These structural parts of your property plan include things like patios, walls, walkways or fencing.

• Plantlife: Trees, shrubs and perennials can be added all at once or in phases depending on where in the yard the plan locates them. 

• Structures: Pergolas, outdoor fireplaces, decks, grill islands… any of these planned amenities can be added right away or a few years down the line. 

• Lighting: Beautiful well-placed lights can up the wow factor in your landscaping fast. Installing lighting during the hardscaping phase makes sense if you have room in your budget. 

Behind the Plan

Still not convinced that a master plan is worthwhile? Keep in mind that our designers bring expertise to your plan. We understand how different types of soil affect plants. Our plans take into account the balance of sunlight and shade in your yard. And we offer proven experience with the types of plants that grow and thrive in our climate

A phased Landscape design allows you to: 

• Make a plan in terms of budgeting. 

• Do the doable. 

• Stay within your budget, which can lower stress for you and your family.

• Make sure you like the direction your yard is heading and course correct if you would prefer changes.

Phased Landscape Design Questions? 

How can we help? We are experts in putting together comprehensive landscaping plans. Contact us and we will schedule an appointment to hear about your dream yard and start to make it a reality. 

Top 5 Reasons to Use a Landscape Designer

Landscape designers provide homes with more than just beautiful scenery. Across the country and here in Cincinnati, landscape designers give people new ways to spend time outdoors in an enjoyable environment. They boost homeowners’ pride in where they live. They’re masters of their trade, and, like Seiler’s, they provide full-service project management that’s more dependable and more sustainable than DIY projects. 

With specialized knowledge and skill sets, landscape designers enhance your home’s overall quality, from visual aesthetics to property value. Here are five reasons you want to hire a Cincinnati landscape designer for your Queen City home.

Merging Art and Science

Landscape designers work at the crossroads of nature and art to create spaces that are both environmentally sound and aesthetically appealing. They pull from a wealth of knowledge about plant life, climates and native ecosystems, and combine it with artistic elements of design like balance, variety, texture and unity. The result is a pleasing balance of amenities, comfort, sustainability and visual appeal.

Selecting the Right Plants 

Not all locations are the same—even when they’re in the same region—and each property has its own physical characteristics and environmental needs. Cincinnati landscape designers in particular, who are extremely familiar with our Midwestern weather patterns, know how to analyze a property’s climate and plant life compatibilities so that your outdoor living space and your property’s natural elements work together in harmony. They’ll also determine what kind of plant life is most suitable for your lifestyle needs and style preferences.

Making the Most of Your Space

Specialists like landscape designers can envision the potential of a property better than anyone. By surveying the environment and understanding how you and your family spend your time there, they can enhance your home in ways you hadn’t even considered. Where you may see just an open space in your yard, a landscape designer might envision a pergola, a stone creek bed or a paved walkway to a garden. The possibilities that open up when you hire a landscape designer are endless.

Boosting the Value of Your Property

Landscape designers know the importance of a first impression. Homes with high curb appeal tend to sell about seven percent more than homes that are lacking, according to Realtor Magazine. In our region, where the real estate market is competitive, Cincinnati landscape designers know that properties with great curb appeal (and incredible outdoor living spaces in general) pay off for homeowners.

Increasing Livability 

Living and working in a visually appealing space that brings you comfort goes a long way toward your and your family’s overall contentment. Landscape designers find opportunities to enhance the atmosphere so that you can indulge in life’s little pleasures and enjoy where you spend your time. It could be evenings with your family on a newly furnished patio, entertaining friends around a firepit or hosting a pool party. Landscape designers get to know your needs and lifestyle, and imagine ways to make your home life even better.

As Cincinnati landscape designers, we’re seasoned pros who can transform your home into your own personal oasis. Contact us for a no-obligation consultation.

Save 15% On Cincinnati Landscape Lighting Projects

Light the Night Cincinnati Sale

Love the drama and beauty of outdoor landscape lighting? Looking for added safety or simply the aesthetics of lighting a wall, fountain or walkway? Cincinnati homeowners are turning on the power of landscape lighting to add evening hours to their landscape enjoyment. We specialize in complete project management from design to installation to final check in. For a limited time, get 15% off your entire project with signed contract before June 15, 2019.

Offer Ends: June 15, 2019

Book an Appointment today