Tag Archives: plants

Amid this lingering heatwave, simply looking at a freshwater feature in the backyard is a visual delight. Dipping your toes and listening to the sound of the water trickling is even more enjoyable. Here are a few tips on how to build a cool summer refuge.

Begin by digging a hole until you reach the target depth, following the manufacturer’s instructions, then cover the bottom with a 3-5 cm layer of sand. Make sure you take the time to remove anything that may damage the water basin first, like rocks, roots, buried pieces of wood, etc.[……]

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A well-designed backyard is so inviting! You’ll want to spend hours outside. Are you looking for ideas? Here’s a list of decorative details that will make your recreational space the ideal place to enjoy life.

[caption id="attachment_17220" align="alignright" width="200"]iStock iStock[/caption]

Trees are the focal point of any outdoor design. Choose your tree species carefully because they don’t offer the same decorative potential. The tortured trunk of an oak tree, the slender trunk of a poplar tree and the drooping branches of a weeping willow tree look nothing alike. If there’s already a tree in your backyard, why not plant flowers around it? A sober tree emerging from a super colourful floral design always looks stunning. A paved circle or one made of small stones will serve as a place to linger. Use plants of your choice to form a second circle around it and place a bench somewhere in the midst of it all.

You’ll only need a few shrubs to provide depth in the backyard. A tiny woodland allows you to create a clearing to welcome guests in a setting decorated to your taste.[……]

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Although they aren’t that popular in Québec, they are quite common in Europe. Some books deal with the subject there. You can even find videos on YouTube. Imagine! Swimming in a natural pool without chemical products. Out with the chlorine!

[caption id="attachment_17084" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Piscine naturelle patio TOPIA environnement Topia.ca[/caption]

Jocelyn Lussier, an expert in the field of the company Topia, says: “The filtration area is composed of several layers of materials that will act as filters. The upper part will be composed of plants. The plantation zones are created in varying depths to adapt to the vegetation used for filtration, like oxygenating, purifying, floating and submerged plants and shoreline vegetation.”

It’s the plants that take care of filtering the water. The purification is done naturally. The water is so pure that you can almost drink it.

The purification process is done in a pool of water converted into a lagoon. That’s where the plants, like water lilies or others, accomplish their job of filtration. Then, the water spills into the swimming area through a waterfall or over a retaining wall. This is the oxygenation phase, which is then completed by certain plants. The water always circulates which keeps mosquitoes at bay since they are attracted to stagnant water. It’s the same principle as a mountain lake. Same simplicity, same freshness and the same pleasure to swim in.

Numerous healthy and sustainable materials ensure the pool’s impermeability. You can transform your conventional in-ground pool into an ecological pool. Among other things, you will have to build a natural purification and oxygenation zone and demolish one side of the pool to let the water fall into the swimming area.[……]

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Nature has the frustrating habit of always wanting to spread on our land. It is invasive. Until recently, we fought it with lawnmowers, cutters and pesticides. But times have changed. More and more owners are letting nature spread. We are in the era of eco-friendly housing.

All owners can contribute to the fight for survival of the planet, not only by carefully choosing the materials for their home, but by taking their fight outdoors: greenery, garden, back yard, driveway and relaxation and reception area.

If you build a deck, a patio or other outdoor structure, whenever possible choose a material that doesn’t need any toxic agents for finishing or preservation purposes: solvent, stain, sealing product, etc. If not, make sure there’s very little.

Wood, stone, brick and even concrete are materials that co-exist very well with eco-friendly housing. Composite wood made of recycled plastic and wood fibres are not bad either. Because they are smaller structures, you have the ideal opportunity to opt for recycled materials.[……]

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