NowJustAddWater Blog

Thank you Lawn & Landscape Magazine

2008-11-12T10:33:00.000-08:00

I wanted to post a special thank you to Lawn & Landscape Magazine for their recent October 2008 cover story titled "Reinvent Yourself, 15 ways to make your business profitable and sustainable in 2009".

Here is an exerpt from the article:
"14 Create an interactive Web site: Now Just Add Water is a Washington-based landscape business with a dynamic Web site, which includes a blog and an interactive feature called MYYARD. Here, customers can select from six styles of landscapes for full access to every minute detail of a design – once they receive a code from the company with their bid...." read more here

I really appreciate the recognition it has given Now Just Add Water and I am looking forward to growing our relationship with Lawn & Landscape in the future

Earth Hour 2008

2008-03-19T19:18:00.000-07:00

Join the movement. Do you part to reduce our footprint.

http://www.earthhour.org/about

Expect More From Your New back Yard

2007-09-30T16:50:00.000-07:00

It's more common now days for your new home builder to provide backyard landscaping, but what are you really getting? Grass, Bark and a couple of evergreens. I'm sorry, but that doesn't sound too exciting to me. It seems like no matter how nice the new home is or expensive it might be, the back yard experience is the same. At Now Just Add Water, we give you options. Options you can see first hand before buying. Don't except the term landscaped backyard without knowing what your getting. Ask your builder if you can have something designed for the same price. You should be able to get nice shrubs, beautiful perennials, maybe some nice ornamental grasses.

Take a look at these designs.

This could be yours if you just asked for it. Just ask your builder to buy a Now Just Add Water plan for your back yard at the time of purchase.

Don't Make Gardening to Hard on Yourself

2007-09-20T07:23:00.000-07:00

When I first started landscaping, it seemed so complex. So many options and styles to choose from. But after landscaping for myself for many years I discovered a formula that has helped my garden take off. I stopped using bark for my beauty beads and I started using organic compost as my top dressing. Wow, what a difference. Not only do I not have to fertilize which saves money, but my plants have taken off. I use compost from Cedar Grove Compost in Maple Valley Washington, but I am sure there are many sources out there just like them.

I can say enough how easy it has made my life and I love the dark color that doesn't fade like bark does. I like to use this new product that they have, it's call Northwest Garden Mulch. It's a 50/50 bark/compost blend. The bark makes it spread a bit easier and it gives it a nice texture. Let me know if you have some great tricks for making your garden grow and simplifying your chore.

Why Plant Perennials in Fall?

2007-09-14T14:44:00.001-07:00

Spring is when you typically think about planting in your yard - I know I do. But when it comes to perennials, you might consider looking to the fall for a couple of reasons. Fist, prices are a better than in the spring. Also, when a perennial has been in a pot all winter long their roots tend to get bunched up in the pot with frequent watering and fertilization and when they are planted in the spring they are subject to a much bigger change in climate and temperature extremes. Look to the fall to give your perennials a easier transition into the ground and your garden.

Fall is a Great Time to Enhance Your Yardand Save Some Coin

2007-09-13T07:24:00.000-07:00

Fall is here and I have always tried to take advantage of discounts at the Nursery. Just a little tip, when the flowers and leaves come off, prices drop too :}. I have used this technique over the years to continue to upgrade my yard.

I have also gone to the back of the Nursery to find extra bargains. Sometimes they will put a selection of plants that look wilted or not as pleasant and you can get these up to 75% off from the summer price. Then I take those plants and put them in a location out of sight, but in an area that will still get some sun and use that area for recovery. You never know what will make it, but in most cases with a little TLC, they'll turn out great.

Tips for Designing your Garden

2007-09-01T09:08:00.000-07:00

The formula for designing new gardens is simple, and it all begins with a plan. A plan allows you to complete stages as your budget allows and make sure that what you do this season won't have to be undone next season.

Collect pictures of scenes that please you.
Tastes vary. Some people like precise formal gardens, some want to play croquet on a big lawn, others like the informal country look.

Take an inventory.
Do a "floor plan" of your property on a piece of graph paper.

Consider your needs and preferences.
Do you want to improve your view? Would you like to increase your sense of privacy? Are there unsightly areas you'd like to screen?

Strive for convenience.
If you plan to grow fruit, vegetables, and herbs, choose a sunny spot not too far from the kitchen so you can visit the garden daily.

If that seems like a lot of work, you might consider using one of our pre-designed landscaping pans from Now Just Add Water. What makes our plans different from other design plans you might find on-lines is that we will tailor the plan to fit your yard and we give you all the information you need after your yard is installed to keep it looking great and helpful ideas to keep improving your design every year free of charge.

Live Earth Day - 777

2007-07-08T08:29:00.000-07:00

I hope you had a chance to enjoy the LIVE EARTH day performances. I know it really gave me a new sense of global conciseness. I thought the performances were incredible and the messages were even better. They really inspired me as an artists to do my part. Whether you believe in global warming or not, take a few steps like recycling or using the new florescent light bulbs can't be a bad thing. I would encourage any one that has kids or cares about our next generation to "Answer the Call". It doesn't take much to make a huge difference. As you enjoy the clean air you breath today and the cold water you drink tomorrow to stop and think if you are helping ensure that our future generation will enjoy the same luxury. SOS.

Outdoor Living Rooms Are A Hot New Trend

2007-06-27T07:42:00.000-07:00

A few years ago ... lawn chairs an umbrella and a nice BBQ were common place when outfitting your backyard. But the latest trend around the country are backyard living rooms. You can extend your living space by adopting this new design trend. Here are a couple of great articles I came across.

Create a Low-Maintenance Lawn

2007-06-23T08:50:00.000-07:00

Don't let you lawn take over your much needed weekend. The best way to keep your lawn easy to maintain is staying on top of it's health before problems take over and cause you more time and effort.

What you don't always realize is that usually when a problem arises, it is from something that happened a few weeks ago. To avoid these recurring problems like moss, crabgrass, red thread or dry patches start tending to your lawn early in the season. I like to start thinking about my lawn in mid February.

It seems to me that once you get into Feb and ESPN starts talking spring training is when I start heading to the shed to dust off my tools and start looking for problems from the long winter. In the Northwest we deal with a lot of rain (wow that's a news flash). So it's important to look for those areas that have been hit hardest by standing water or areas that just don't dry out due to shade from trees or your house. I like to take my hard rake and scrap out any dead grass to help your lawn breath again. Treat it with a little peat moss and over seed. Of course this is just one of many issues you might run into come spring time. The best prevention is a lawn that is vigorous and thick. It will ward off weeds, insects, and diseases better than any other measures.

To learn more about season long issues, check out this great article on Better homes and Garden.

Green For You And Me

2007-06-21T08:58:00.001-07:00

I just wanted to give a shout out to Cedar Grove Compost. If you’re from the NW you are familiar with this great product. Cedar Grove uses state-of-the-art technology to recycle the most comprehensive list of solid organics in the region. What is great about Cedar Groove is that they have such a nice array of products that you can use them for just about anything. I like to mulch with the compost in the fall and then in the spring time they have a great new product call NW Gardeners blend. This is a 50/50 compost/dark bark blend. It looks great (I get lots of compliments) plus it fertilizes my plants all summer long. I don't need to add any other fertilizer other than starter food for my new plants and it just makes everything super colorful, super big and very easy to maintain. The only drawback is that you sometimes get a few weeds in your beds, but the benefit is much better than the pain.

It's great to know you are creating a more beautiful landscape at the same time giving back to Mother Earth with this sustainable product with NO chemicals.

Landscaping Videos

2007-06-15T12:36:00.000-07:00

I came across this site today that provides a great feed of landscaping videos (Technorati). The videos are produced by professionals and amateurs. There is lots of fun content to browse through. Check out the site here. Another great resource for videos is on About.com. I've used some of their videos on our site.

Add Living Space with an Outdoor Room

2007-06-10T23:14:00.000-07:00

I found this great article from www.newhomes.com, here is just a snippet:

One of the hottest current home trends has redefined the boundaries between our interiors and the Great Outdoors. Our need for more casual living space and a place to escape the stresses of everyday life has spawned the outdoor room. Gone are the days of the concrete pad with picnic table and charcoal grill. The outdoor living space has become an extension of our lifestyle. Clearly, some homeowners have taken the concept to its next level, building outdoor great rooms - complete with full-use outdoor kitchens, dining areas and living spaces for entertaining family and friends. Whether it be expensive and elaborate, or small and simple, an outdoor retreat can provide all the best that the indoors and outdoors have to offer - sun, fresh air, nature, comfort and convenience. ... read more »

Typical New Home Construction Backyard Landscaping

2007-06-10T22:52:00.000-07:00

When you moved into your new home, did your backyard look like this? Most do. I would hope that the expectation for a back yard living space is set higher than this. But unfortunately most builders consider this finished landscaping. At Now Just Add Water you can pick from a variety for pre-designed landscape styles that have character & style and will give your visual pleasure for years to come. Check out our plans and decide for yourself. If you moved into your home with a yard like this, our plans can help turn it into something special.

Landscape Marketing that's good for the Builder and Buyer

2007-06-10T20:30:00.000-07:00

When buying a new home did you have the opportunity to add a landscaped back yard to your purchase? If you answered yes, did you know what it was going to look like before you saw it the first time?

In most cases the home buyer never has an idea what they are paying for. Maybe you will get some sod, some bark and a couple of shrubs in most cases (not too exciting). Now just Add Water lets you the buyer pick out a yard design that fits your tastes and gives you more value for the dollar. This is great for both parties because expectations are set upfront and it only adds a couple of dollars to your monthly mortgage.

If you are a new home owner, we know that most HOA's require a installed backyard within your 1st year and with so much to buy for your new home, needing to pay more out of pocket cash for a back yard is not that fun. That's why we suggest installing it at the time of purchase and start enjoying your outdoor living space right away.

Welcome to our new Blog

2007-06-10T20:21:00.000-07:00

Now just Add Water launches it's new blog. We are looking forward to pointing out areas of interest concerning landscaping, yard maintenance, real estate and new home construction maintenance.

A little about Now Just Add Water ...

Our company was founded on the principle that every homeowner deserves to have a fantastic out door living space. It add so much to your living experience and adds great value to your home. We help to accomplish this by providing a landscape plan that is affordable that you can build yourself to save costs or have a professional do it for you. And we go one step further, after your yard is installed you can come back to our web site (NowJustAddWater.com), sign into the MY YARD web page and get all the care and feeding information to keep your yard looking great!