Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Irrigation systems and why it's important to your landscape

Irrigation is the method in which a controlled amount of water is supplied to plants at regular intervals to help maintain landscapes.

Proper irrigation is important to maintain the
life of your landscape
There are four methods of irrigation:

  • Surface
  • Sprinkler 
  • Drip/trickle
  • Subsurface 

Landscaping doesn't end with planting trees, shrubs and flowers.  Your landscape must be maintained and a proper irrigation system will put water right where you need it without wasting water.  

So before investing in your landscape, talk to a professional about an irrigation system or proper watering to help maintain your investment.

How and when to water:
Some people don't realize they are under-watering.  They think by applying light daily watering that it will be sufficient.  It is actually harmful to water lightly each day.  Frequent light applications wet the soil to a depth of less than 1 inch. Most plant roots go much deeper. Light sprinkling only settles the dust and does little to alleviate drought stress of plants growing in hot, dry soil. Instead of light daily waterings, give plants a weekly soaking. When watering, allow the soil to become wet to a depth of 5 to 6 inches.
This type of watering allows moisture to penetrate into the soil area where roots can readily absorb it. A soil watered deeply retains moisture for several days, while one wet only an inch or so is dry within a day.
Then there are those who water often and heavy and they drown their plants. Symptoms of too much water are the same as for too little. Leaves turn brown at the tips and edges, then brown all over and drop from the plant. These symptoms should be the same, since they result from insufficient water in the plant tissue.
Too much water in a soil causes oxygen deficiency, resulting in damage to the root system. Plant roots need oxygen to live. When a soil remains soggy little oxygen is present in the soil. When this condition exists roots die and no longer absorb water. Then leaves begin to show signs of insufficient water. Often gardeners think these signs signal lack of water, so they add more. This further aggravates the situation and the plant usually dies quickly.
By thoroughly watering the soil at each watering, and then allow plants to extract most of the available water from the soil before watering again. 
For more information on Landscape Design and Irrigation, contact:  Studio W, info@thestudiow.com o405.285.5610

source:  conserveh2o.org, aggie-horticultural.

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Landscape Design for Community Parks and Common Areas

Landscape can do more then increase property value,  a beautiful landscaped area can attract new homeowners and give communities a space they can enjoy.



As a developer or Homeowners Association, investing in landscape, a common area, or a community swimming pool can attract future buyers and extend the life of your investment.

In order to get the most out of your potential space, it is best to hire a professional landscape design firm who can help in the design phase and who is educated in proper landscape for the environment, future maintenance, and how to get the most out of the space.


This is especially important when designing a neighborhood entrance.  A landscape designer can help bring curb-appeal to the entrance of a neighborhood.  A knowledgeable landscape designer will use plants that are native to the area which are more durable.  Knowing what plants work best for the terrain and environment can save the HOA money in future maintenance.


A beautiful, well designed landscape and community common area will add value to the area, can increase sales for the developer, and will give the community a place to gather and enjoy for years to come.  In a competitive real estate market, landscaping could be the difference in selling a home and increasing the neighborhoods value.


For more information on commercial landscape design, contact the Studio W at info@thestudiow.com or 405-285-5610.







Friday, May 19, 2017

Friday Focus on Landscape Design

Each Friday Studio W will post new and relevant information regarding Landscape Design and Architecture.  We hope you will find this useful and share with family and friends.  Please feel free to reach out to us at info@thestudiow.com or 405.285.5610.

How much value does landscaping add to the value of your home or commercial real estate?
Investing in your property, can add value to
to your home

Residential:
The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) recommends that homeowners invest 10 percent of the home’s value in landscaping. Landscape architecture goes beyond plantings, or softscaping, to include structural features like lighting, fences, garden paths, fire pits, swimming pools, and ponds. Outdoor rooms, terraces, and decks are also high-yield structural or hardscaping investments. A landscape architect can work with the client to generate a detailed plan. 

Landscape design can do more then just add value to your home, just three trees in the right location can save up to $250 a year in heating and cooling costs, says the source for energy-saving stats: the U.S. Department of Energy.

Commercial:
Oklahoma Farm Bureau Plaza Design
Designed by Studio W

Commercial real estate can be a lucrative investment.  But in order to get the most out of our investment, it is vital to enhance and maintain the property to attract tenants or customers.  This will protect your long-term investment of your property.

By having well maintained landscape and mature well-groomed trees, this can improve and protect your commercial property for years to come.  

Commercial property owners can also gain respect and admiration from their community by offering water features or unique stonework or landscape designs.  Adding these features to your commercial property will not only increase its property value, it can help make your property a focal point in the community and a place families want to gather.

Studies show commercial office space with a high quality landscape design have up to 7% higher rental rates.  

Investing in your home or commercial real estate will add value, increase community involvement and yield a return on your investment for years to come.

For more information on commercial or high-end residential landscape design, contact:  Studio W at info@thestudiow.com or 405.285.5610.





Monday, May 15, 2017

Landscape Design: Hardscape or Softscape?

Are you planning a landscape project?  Do you know the difference between hardscape and softscape?

Adding hardscape and softscape elements to your project
will help add balance and harmony to your area.
Whether you are planning a residential or commercial landscape project, it is good to know what your project will include.

Hardscape is normally what landscape designers start with.  It refers to heavier elements such as patios, stones, swimming pools and can even include sprinkler systems.   

Once the hardscape or border of the project is complete, it is time to add the softscape such as trees, soil, plants and flowers.  Some elements of the softscape will be permanent like evergreens.  While others are seasonal flowers that are ever changing and add color to the project.  

No project is complete without a little of both.  That's why hiring a professional landscape design firm is important.  They can help you design your project and add balance, functionality and an elegant focal point to the area.

Even though softscape features may be more affordable, they also require more maintenance.  On the other hand, hardscape is more expensive, but it is permanent.  A professional design team will help you determine just the right amount of both to fit your need and living style.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment with one of the Studio W landscape designers, contact us at info@thestudiow.com or 405.285.5610.


Thursday, May 11, 2017

Historic Oklahoma: Robbers Cave State Park

As a landscape design firm, we take pride in showing off historic places Oklahoma has to offer.  Each month in 2017 we will highlight a few places that are on the map. We hope you will follow us on this journey!

This month we would like to highlight 
Robbers Cave State Park
Hiking Trailhead at Robbers Cave State Park

Robbers Cave State Park is a state park in Latimer County, Oklahoma. It is located 5 miles north of Wilburton, Oklahoma, on State Highway 2.  

Originally named Latimer State Park, it received its current name in 1936.   The area surrounding the present-day park has been a hunting ground for hundreds of years. Archaeological evidence suggests that the earliest people were related to the builders of the Spiro Mounds. By the 1600s, the Osage and Caddo tribes dominated the area. French hunters and explorers also visited, leaving their mark by naming some of the prominent geographic features, which are still used.

This park is a favorite of rappellers, equestrians, hikers and outdoor lovers. The park and adjoining wildlife management area covers more than 8,000 acres (3,200 ha) and includes three lakes. It offers visitors acres of discovery and enjoyment including trout fishing in season, boating, hunting, mountain biking, trails for hikers and horses, sandstone cliffs for climbing and rappelling, and fall foliage viewing. In addition, Robbers Cave is historically notable as a former hideout for infamous outlaws Belle Starr and Jesse James.

The park encompasses three lakes: Lake Carlton, Lake Wayne Wallace and Coon Creek Lake. These were created by dams built on Fourche Maline Creek, a tributary of Poteau River. The combined surface area of the three lakes is 189 acres.

source:  travelok.com