Home Landscaping Projects to Undertake This Summer

There is a certain satisfaction that comes from planning and completing a DIY project in the yard. Not only is the yard transformed, but you as the homeowner are able to leave your mark on the property in a positive way— breaking a sweat while working with your hands to create your own personal masterpiece.  At Asphalt materials, we provide the materials needed for Utah landscaping projects large and small and there is no better time to start improving your outdoor space than right now. Summer is upon us and there are a number of worthwhile projects to start while the weather permits. Here are just a few. 

General Landscaping

Your yard should be a reflection of your personality. Some homeowners prefer a clean-cut open yard while others prefer a more exotic look, filling their space with trees and plants. Whatever your preference, a designated area of beauty in the yard is always a good way to bring life to your landscape. Whether this be a small garden or a large area with a stone path and a pond, it is always a good idea to do something special with a designated portion of your yard. 

Retaining Walls

Retaining walls serve both aesthetic and functional purposes. They help keep landscape soil from eroding, break up the yard creating depth and dimension and are a beautiful landscaping feature. A well-placed retaining wall can create more usable space in your yard, especially when your yard is naturally sloped or hilly. The best part is that they are not too difficult to construct if you have the right materials. 

Decorative Landscaping Rock

A little rock goes a long way. There are many different types of landscaping rock that can transform a front or back yard into a more pleasing space. Some such rocks include: 
  • Rock ground covers
  • Polished pebbles
  • Cobblestones
  • Rubble stones
  • Landscape boulders
  • Flagstones
Incorporating decorative rock into your yard is a sure way to improve your overall landscape design and can be used to complement any number of features already present. When laying decorative rock, however, there are a few things to keep in mind:
  • Measure out space carefully
  • Edge the perimeter of your barrier
  • Don’t dig deeper than is necessary
  • Pack the soil before laying rock
  • Lay landscape fiber to prevent weed growth
  • Rake the rocks to even them out
  • Rinse with water to bring out the stones’ natural shine

Fire Pits & Hardscaping

Hardscape refers to hard landscape materials in a structure that are incorporated into a landscape. Some general examples include pathways, fire pits, stairs, and more. These features can be made out of a variety of materials including wood, stone, and concrete. Some of the most popular Utah hardscapes of the past several years are fire pits in various sizes and styles. Like retaining walls, fire pits are not terribly hard to make. Once your space is allocated, and the materials are had, the project should be completed in no time. 

Water Features 

Water features certainly go beyond simple koi ponds. Here are some of the popular water features springing up in Utah yards. 
  • Garden creeks
  • Outdoor shower (for those with pools)
  • Birdbaths
  • Water walls
  • Wall fountains
  • Waterfalls (a complement to small ponds)
  • Garden fountain
  • Mini pool 
If you have a little extra space in your yard, consider incorporating a unique water feature. 

Affordable Quality

For over 40 years, Asphalt Materials has been providing the Wasatch area with quality materials for their outdoor Utah landscaping projects. If you are looking to undertake a yard project this summer and are looking for the best materials at a fair price, contact us today. We are always happy to help.