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September 20, 2019

Landscaping During the Texas Fall

by Emily Thompson

Written by: Emma Bishop

The temperatures are finally cooling down enough for us to get outside and enjoy our patios and decks. The autumn weather is also perfect for sprucing up the landscape. Now’s the time to install that firepit or outdoor kitchen you’ve always wanted.

Fall is also the ideal time to plant trees in Texas. New trees do well when the soil temperature is above 40 degrees, which is year-round in much of the state. The root systems of balled and burlapped trees can recover from transplanting in the fall. They also have time to develop roots before beginning growth in the spring.

But there are some things you should consider before heading to the nursery. The most important consideration is where you intend to plant your tree. On a residential lot, trees should be planted at least 10 feet from any foundation to allow the trunks and root systems to grow. Be aware of any overhead obstructions, such as utility lines and the boughs of other trees.

Next, consider what kind of tree you want — shade, fruit-bearing, or ornamental.

For shade trees, the live oak is bough and branches above all others. It is the most commonly planted tree in Texas because it grows well virtually anywhere in the state. But live oaks need a lot of space. They can grow up to 40 feet tall and spread their branches 75 feet.

Other Native Shade Trees

  • Cedar elm. This is a very hardy tree that tolerates drought well and thrives in nearly any soil.
  • Texas ash. Because this is a rather small tree, it’s ideal for small properties or side yards. It delivers brilliant colors in autumn.
  • Black cherry. This native is a medium-sized tree, which makes it a good candidate for suburban yards. It produces fragrant white blossoms.

Fruit Bearing Trees

  • Pecan. This is the official state tree because it thrives in most areas, produces abundant shade, and drops tasty, nutritious nuts in the fall.
  • Persimmon. These are native across Texas, but many homeowners choose the Japanese varieties from nurseries. The tree is insect and disease resistant.
  • Peaches, nectarines, and plums. These so-called “stone” trees can produce abundant fruit when properly cared for. The chief enemy of a good crop is a late freeze.

Ornamentals for Texas

  • Crepe Myrtle. These tough, durable ornamentals can be kept at shrub-size or grown to 20 feet tall. Their blooms come in a variety of colors and often blossom twice a year.
  • Redbud. You can find a variety that will thrive in any part of Texas. These trees are early bloomers in spring and do so in brilliant bursts of red.
  • Rusty Blackhaw Viburnum. This native does well in most parts of Texas and only grows to about 18 feet, making it ideal for home landscaping. It delivers large clusters of blossoms in spring.

Know your needs before you buy. Is the area where you intend to plant shady or sunny? What kind of soil do you have? Any well-established, reputable nursery will have people who can help you make the right choice of tree. And nearly every Texas county has an Extension Service office.

When You’re Ready to Plant

  • Handle your tree only by the root ball, never the trunk.
  • Dig a hole that gives the root ball 6 inches of clearance on all sides and is only as deep as the root ball.
  • Backfill the hole with the same soil you took out — never substitute soil.
  • Water thoroughly.
  • Do not use fertilizer until early spring or you risk burning the tree.
  • Mulch around the base to preserve moisture.
  • Water thoroughly every seven to 10 days. Overwatering can damage your tree.

You should also be aware of what trees to avoid. The black walnut tree secretes a toxin that will kill nearby plants and flowers. It’s also incredibly messy. Other messy trees that will drop leaves and junk all over your hardscapes? Cottonwoods and mimosas. Both of these are also brittle with weak root systems.

The right trees are a long-term investment that can enhance the beauty and value of your home. Care for them wisely, and they will return your investment many times over.

Need some help with your landscape design? Here at AquaTerra we strive to be a single source solution for our client’s outdoor needs. Contact us, we’re here to help you have the most beautiful landscape on the block.

Emma Bishop is a lifestyle and design writer, and mother of two beautiful girls. She is a social butterfly and loves to entertain guests at home with beautifully decorated spaces for any occasion.


https://aquaterraoutdoors.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/fall-tree.jpg 624 832 Emily Thompson https://aquaterra7111.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/logo-1.png Emily Thompson2019-09-20 13:02:262019-09-20 13:02:28Landscaping During the Texas Fall

August 29, 2019

We Don’t Just Claim to be Award-Winning

by Emily Thompson

In the August 2019 issue of Hearth and Home magazine, two of our very own received recognition for projects they designed and managed.

            First up is Ross Burke, one of our principal designers and project managers, received the award for Excellence in Outdoor Room Design for a space less than 1,000 square feet. He masterfully designed and built this space to command attention and appear larger than reality. Adding privacy through custom pergola inventively defines the space. Creative partitions such as a steel planter allows for spaces to be defined but not overwhelmed, crowded, or too closed off from the rest of the area. The outdoor kitchen is arranged to fit in the necessary elements while not overcrowding or feeling too compartmentalized. It is evident that each aspect and corner of this yard was utilized and thought thoroughly about in order to maximize but not overwhelm.

            The second recognized is our president and principle designer, Tal Thevenot. He was the builder on this project that transformed a long, narrow yard into an inviting and intriguing space. Sleek lines and visually exciting accents throughout, this backyard is no longer the monotonous and unused square footage of the past.

Do you want your backyard to be award winning too? Here at AquaTerra, we strive to be a single source solution for our clients outdoor needs. If you are ready to begin the journey for your project, please contact us and let us go to work for you!

https://aquaterraoutdoors.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/heart-and-home-cover.jpg 600 691 Emily Thompson https://aquaterra7111.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/logo-1.png Emily Thompson2019-08-29 19:31:592019-08-29 19:32:03We Don't Just Claim to be Award-Winning

January 8, 2018

Benefits of Selecting a Design + Build + Management Firm

by Heather Bloem

Why should you select a Design + Build + Management firm?

With nearly 20 years of experience in Design + Build + Management, AquaTerra passionately believes that a team who covers all three bases is the best and most effective choice for any project. Here are our top 6 reasons why selecting a one-stop shop is a great way to go.

  1. TEAMWORK: When all aspects of a project are managed by AquaTerra, everyone has the same goal.  Our entire team is fully informed on what success looks like in terms of meeting and exceeding client expectations.  The reality of a large scale project is that a hiccup or two is likely to occur. However, when everyone is on the same page, solution’s occur in real time and results happen faster.

design + build management team

  1. ACCOUNTABILITY: AquaTerra is accountable for EVERYTHING from soup to nuts.  When the same team designs and builds the project, there is no question of who is accountable for design, details, schedule, quality and process.  Furthermore, the customer has a single point of contact, which critical if delivering excellence is a priority.  And it’s always our priority.
  2. DEDICATION:  Your outcomes are our best endorsements!  We take a great deal of pride in what we do and are devoted to enduring quality. We believe in Design + Build + Maintenance and we are dedicated to the longevity and beauty in each and every project.  The management & maintenance aspect of our delivery system allows us to catch  the smallest of mistakes and we are also able to ensure excellence by keeping any fine details from falling through the cracks.

Completed design + build backyard project

  1. EXPERTISE: Having a team of first rate experts in their field is our greatest asset.  They are the heart and soul of the company and champions of excellence.  At AquaTerra, we can offer our clients best-in-class experts in design, build and management, which is a fairly unique offering and a central factor for timeless outdoor spaces.

euclid front landscape design + build

  1. COLLABORATION: By working with a one-stop-shop, the design-build process is far more efficient and dramatically accelerates the process. For example, our clients avoid having the typical repetitive meetings that are required by the architect, general contractor and design consultants.  Collaboration results in less time wasted and lower fees for our clients.  Additionally and importantly, a design-build client retains more creative control of their project.
  2. SAVINGS: Based on our experience and analysis, we believe a unified design-build process can save you more than 10% in overall expenses.  Reason being, a firm like AquaTerra pass along our efficiencies of scale and teamwork along to our customers.  By sharing operating costs among the 3 branches of the firm, we can lower cost, mitigate general conditions, and lower design fees and construction costs.   

Given the benefits of working with a Design + Build + Management firm, why would anyone approach an important project in a piecemeal approach?  

https://aquaterra7111.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/logo-1.png 0 0 Heather Bloem https://aquaterra7111.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/logo-1.png Heather Bloem2018-01-08 17:50:162018-01-08 17:50:16Benefits of Selecting a Design + Build + Management Firm

November 3, 2017

Groundbreaking Ceremony at New Office Headquarters

by Heather Bloem

Celebratory Ground-Breaking Ceremony for New AquaTerra HQ!

Last month, AquaTerra christened the location of our new office headquarters with a wonderful groundbreaking ceremony. The new location will house the entire team in one facility and that is certainly cause for celebration!  As we have grown over the years, lack of space required  our construction team to be located remotely.  The new location will allow for the design, management team, construction teams and service teams to be housed in one building.  

We believe it’s going to be a special space and are overcome with excitement over having both the opportunity to collaborate under one roof, as well as the space to grow our team.

Let’s dig!

We believe in collaboration and continuous improvement as guiding principles of excellence. We will have a large training room so we can continue our focus on creating some the of best installation teams in the business.  To share our love for the outdoors, we will have a small boutique showroom and a beautiful exterior courtyard. We have always had great passion for protecting the environment.  Our new building will utilize renewable energy in the form of solar panels, wind turbine and water harvesting.

We started the morning over coffee and refreshments as we welcomed our team, close friends, pastor and architect/engineers. After a few words by Tal and a prayer by Hope Fellowship pastor, John McKinzie, we officially commenced the occasion as the shovels got dirty.  Huge thanks to our great building team – Hodges Architecture, Clay Moore Engineering, and Novel Builders for helping make this dream a reality.

Construction should take about 16 months. The building is scheduled to be complete around June and we plan to move in during August.  Thank you to all who have supported us throughout the years. We love creating special outdoor spaces for families to live, laugh and play outdoors.  As construction continues, we will share more sneak peeks of the space, so stay tuned!


 

 


MISSION STATEMENT

Create unique and timeless outdoor environments.
Lead the outdoor industry in design, construction, and management.
Provide extraordinary service and create lifelong relationships.
Cultivate people of passion with integrity.
Grow profitably and give generously.

https://aquaterraoutdoors.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/AquaTerra2017-5.jpg 2640 3960 Heather Bloem https://aquaterra7111.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/logo-1.png Heather Bloem2017-11-03 12:46:472017-11-03 12:46:47Groundbreaking Ceremony at New Office Headquarters

October 31, 2017

Urban Garden with Metal Garden Beds

by Heather Bloem

Whether you live in the city or out in the suburbs with a little more outdoor space, there are so many fun ways to create a personal garden to suit any setting!  Using Metal Garden Beds, AquaTerra can help clients create a cool, artistic approach to their own garden – and it’s easier to set up than you may think.

Easy steps to setting up your own garden:

  1. Select a Location: A sunny spot in your yard will almost always work best.  Try to pick a spot that gets at least 6 hours of full sun a day.
  2. Bed Set up: We set up our metal garden beds by clearing the ground first. You’ll want to remove any existing ground vegetation and break up the ground/soil for better drainage. After putting your garden beds in place, fill the beds with dirt about a 1/2 to 2/3 of the way up, then top off with a mixture of organic potting soil and compost. Mix well for best results.
  3. Plan and plant: The last step is the most fun – planting! First, find out which plants grow best in your area during the season in which you would like to plant. Local nurseries will have some seedlings already started that you can plant right in the ground.  Of course, you will have more options if you are willing to grow from seed and Seed Savers Exchange is a great online resource! Just follow the instructions on how deep to plant the seeds, the optimal timing for planting and water as directed and watch your plants flourish.

Ready to dig in and start your own garden? We’ve partnered with Metal Garden Beds to giveaway ONE Sendero raised bed! Just head to our facebook page for details.

https://aquaterra7111.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/logo-1.png 0 0 Heather Bloem https://aquaterra7111.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/logo-1.png Heather Bloem2017-10-31 13:53:172017-10-31 13:53:17Urban Garden with Metal Garden Beds
AIA Dallas 2017 tour of homes

October 12, 2017

AIA Dallas Tour of Homes 2017 Feature

by Heather Bloem

AquaTerra is honored to be have another one of our projects featured in the AIA Dallas Tour of Homes this year!

AIA Dallas 2017 tour of homes back yard

AIA Dallas 2017 tour of homes back yard

Our team worked closely with Robert Bellamy to create a landscape design that complemented this M-Gray Architecture home design. The front yard of this Dallas home features a unique vertical steel pipe fence that sets the tone of the aesthetic.  The home is accented beautifully with floor to ceiling windows throughout, but the focal point of the home is certainly the slightly elevated box-like feature that is accentuated with a contrasting color and hovers subtly over the landscape. As you approach, the windows allow you to see directly through to the backyard, framing a tree. The dry creek bed carries your eye to the far portion of the  landscape, which is kept earthy in order to complement the natural materials in the architecture. You can’t help but feel one with nature in this serene setting.  

Font yard fence

Front yard fence

Dry creek bed

Dry creek bed

Back yard

Back yard water feature

 

Make sure you Save the Date for October 28-29th. For more information on the event and to purchase tickets, visit AIA Dallas. We hope to see you there!

Back yard

Back yard water feature

 

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euclic String lights

October 5, 2017

APSP International Awards of Excellence 2017

by Heather Bloem

Silver Medal
Euclid

Read more
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