Go for Native Plants

Native plants usually require less maintenance and are more resistant to local pests and diseases. They’re a cost-effective choice that also supports local biodiversity. Visit a nearby nursery or consult with a local extension service to learn more about your area’s native flora.

Reuse and Recycle

Repurpose existing items in your home for your landscaping needs. Old wooden pallets can be transformed into charming planters, and repurposed bricks or stones can create striking pathways or borders.

Do It Yourself

DIY projects can save you a lot of money on labour costs. There are countless landscaping projects, like building a rock garden or installing a small pond, that can be tackled with a bit of elbow grease and a weekend of your time.

Shop Sales and Off-season

Make the most of sales, especially during off-peak seasons. Garden centers often discount plants at the end of the season, and winter can be an excellent time to pick up non-perishable supplies like tools and hardscape materials.

Plan in Advance

Planning your landscaping projects ahead of time allows you to spread out the costs and find the best deals. Sketch out your design and create a list of necessary materials. This will help you avoid impulsive buys and stick to your budget.

Before you fire up the calculator and head on over to Grand River Natural Stone, you need to establish some budgetary parameters. From there, you can decide exactly how much you have to spend, including where and how.

What to Consider When Creating a Landscaping Budget

To help you out, take a look at this infographic on things to consider when planning your landscaping on a budget.

Do more, save more and get more at Grand River Natural Stone

The team members at Grand River Natural Stone are homeowners too.

We have homes in Kitchener, Stoney Creek, London and Fergus.

So we understand the value of the money you work hard for. And we want to do everything we can to keep the average cost of landscaping affordable.

To help plan your budget – or to help get the most from it once it’s set – make sure to  contact us for a FREE quote or to learn anything about our products.

The post Landscaping On A Budget (Infographic) appeared first on Grand River Natural Stone.

If you’re looking to add a touch of tranquility to your garden or yard, a ledgestone water feature is a great way to do so. In this blog, we’ll explore how ledgestone can be used to build water features and share three showstopping ideas to inspire your next project.  

3 Stunning Water Feature Ideas for Your Garden 

The Cascading Waterfall

A ledgestone waterfall can add a dramatic and soothing element to your garden or backyard. With its natural, rustic look, ledgestone veneers can be used to create a beautiful waterfall that makes a beautiful focal point in your landscape. Just make sure your structure is properly waterproofed, and your stone sealed for maximum longevity. 

The Enchanting Fountain

Natural Stone Coursing, similar to ledgestone but larger individual pieces, can be used to create a unique and eye-catching fountain that can be customized to fit your landscape style. Whether you want a modern, sleek look or a more traditional design, these larger pieces of stone can be shaped, cut, and carved to create the perfect fountain for your space.

The Peaceful Urn or Water Bowl

Ledgestone is a popular style for pre-made water features like bowls and urns. Use them as a single feature in isolation, or in groups to create multi-tiered installations that provide the peaceful bubbling sound of natural water sources. Can be winterized for decoration all year long, just ensure your water is turned off and drained from the features before freezing temperatures arrive.  

Get the Supplies You Need Today 

At Grand River Natural Stone, we offer a wide selection of ledgestone and other natural stone materials to help you create the perfect water feature for your space. Contact us today to get started on your next project! 

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The post The Best Water Features to Build with Ledgestone appeared first on Grand River Natural Stone.

How Landscaping Can Boost Your Property Value

Elevate your property’s worth with an infusion of green! Thoughtful landscaping doesn’t just ramp up curb appeal—it’s a game-changer for your home’s market value. Potential buyers view a vibrant, well-tended yard as an extension of a well-loved home, setting the stage for higher bids.

Landscaping for Added Home Value FAQs

1. What Types of Landscaping Add the Most Value?

Investments in mature trees, perennial plants, and a well-maintained lawn can greatly increase your home’s value. Additionally, functional elements such as patios, decks, and outdoor kitchens can make your outdoor space more usable and appealing to buyers.

2. How Much Can Professional Landscaping Increase Home Value?

Professional landscaping can increase your home value by as much as 10-12%. A landscaper’s expertise ensures a well-balanced, sustainable design that will appeal to potential buyers and require less maintenance in the long run.

3. How Much Should I Invest in Landscaping to Increase Home Value?

As a rule of thumb, invest about 10% of your home’s value in landscaping to get a considerable return on investment. However, the exact amount depends on various factors, such as your local real estate market and the current state of your outdoor space.

Grand River Natural Stone is Your Source of Landscaping Supplies

Looking to boost your property value with high-quality landscaping? Grand River Natural Stone has got you covered. As your one-stop source for superior landscaping supplies, we offer everything from mulch and soil to sturdy patio stones. Our experts are also available to guide you through your landscaping journey, ensuring you make selections that will bring lasting value to your home.

When you’re ready to invest in some quality landscaping supplies, call us to request a quote. We’ve got the stone products that will form the foundation of your new design.

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Accent landscaping allows you to create more interest throughout your outdoor space. It is the perfect balance to your natural features, but can also include accent trees for landscaping. Here we look at five creative accents for your landscape design to help you create a one-of-a-kind outdoor space. 

1. Landscape Accent Lighting 

Landscape accent lighting doesn’t need to be expensive. You can create interesting effects using lanterns, string lighting, or even rope lighting that doesn’t require hard wiring. You can also use solar lighting to draw attention to pathways or highlight a tree or other features in your landscape design.  

However, if budget allows landscape accent lighting can be even more impressive including lighting for water features, as accents hard-wired into your pathways, in the steps of your deck, or shining down from your home. 

2. Landscaping Accent Trees 

Ontario gardens often incorporate landscaping accent trees to add beauty and interest. Some popular choices include ornamental trees that work in both small and large backyards such as: 

• Dogwood 
• Redbud 
• Golden Chain Tree 
• Japanese Maple 
• Blue Spruce 

Clusters of smaller trees work very well in larger yards, while single trees offer a focal point in smaller yards. 

3. Landscaping Using Armor Stone 

Armour stone allows you to create stunning accents or structural features throughout your garden. Consider a seating wall surrounding a fire pit area, water features like bubbling rocks, steps creating levels, or retaining walls to add texture or to accent flower beds. It’s also a beautiful and natural-looking option for large-scale retaining walls. Armour stone has endless applications to create both accents or stunning features in your landscape design. 

4. Introduce Natural Accents  

Natural accents allow you to introduce native plantings, as well as introducing other natural materials to your landscaping scheme. Some ideas might include: 

• Drystack stone walls are both functional and eye-catching and are a great way to add charm, or a touch of the popular “cottagecore” aesthetic.  
• Native Plantings: Ontario is home to lovely native plants you can easily incorporate into your landscaping scheme. The beauty of choosing native plantings is that they thrive in their natural habitats. It is also an excellent way to attract more local birds and wildlife to your garden which also becomes a natural accent! 
• Focus on the native stones like Canadian Granite, mossy rock and limestone boulders from Northern Ontario, and North American Jasper.  
• Hedges: Instead of depending on fencing, plant hedges to create separation, add privacy, or define areas such as a fire pit, or dining area. 

All of these ideas allow you to use natural materials as accents.    

5. Unexpected Creative Accents 

A perfect example of an unexpected creative accent is dry streambeds. They create a feeling of movement while also adding texture. You can create your own unique design, whether it is contemporary straight lines and edges, or something more free-flowing by winding the streambed casually throughout your lawn or garden.  

You can choose different types of stones, creating a calming effect with rounded river stone, or a more textured edgy look with gravel. Some other creative accents you can include in your landscaping include: 

• Pebble or pea-stone based Zen gardens 
• Large stone features like Inukshuks, cairns, or balanced stone sculptures 
• Arbors 
• Designs within your patio or walkways using different styles, colours, and textures of pavers 
• Statues or art installations 
• Large scale urns 
• Benches 

The creative accents landscape designs incorporate are limited only by your imagination. If you would like to incorporate some of these ideas into your landscaping plan, speak to our team today.

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Landscaping on a budget takes a little finessing and a lot of planning to get the look you want. However, with a few good frugal backyard landscaping ideas, you can develop a plan to help get you started. Here we offer five landscaping ideas on a budget to help you create a beautiful outdoor space. 

1. Think “Low Maintenance” for Backyard Ideas On A Budget 

This is a good approach when trying to stay on budget. Low maintenance backyard ideas can reduce the amount of effort you put in, while also reducing ongoing costs associated with higher maintenance gardens. For example, if you only put in a few perennial plants and have to fill in the empty spots with annuals every year, this increases your costs quite a bit.  

So it is actually more cost-effective to invest in more perennials. If you choose a lower-maintenance weed reducer such as river stone over mulch, you don’t have to invest in several new bags of mulch to replenish your garden beds each spring. 

2. Shop Around for Lower Priced Items for Inexpensive Yard Ideas 

Plants vary drastically in price. So when deciding how to make your backyard beautiful on a low budget, do your research. Look for lower-cost plants and features to help spread your dollar further. As mentioned above, perennials are always a good investment as they come back year after year.  

Although they always come with a higher price tag, you get more bang for your loonie. You can slowly add more perennials, timing your purchases as the garden centers start to reduce their prices later in the season. You can also add more perennials each year, slowly filling your garden beds. 

3. Understand Ideal Planting Times 

Building on the above idea, landscape design ideas on a budget become more manageable when you understand ideal planting times. Instead of trying to tackle everything in the spring, speak to your garden center to find out what plants you can do in the fall or summer, so you are only spending money in smaller amounts a few more times a year. 

4. How to Landscaping On A Budget With Affordable Hardscaping 

Instead of focusing all your efforts on plants alone, consider investing in affordable hardscaping. By introducing hardscaping projects you reduce the number of flower beds you need to fill with expensive plants and flowers. Hardscaping is also low maintenance. Inexpensive landscaping can include a hardscaping feature such as: 

• DIY water features made with rock 
• Fire pits made with interlocking brick 
• Stones and driftwood to take up space in flower beds 
• Benches and seating made of interlocking brick 
• Stone or interlocking brick paths 

All of these ideas require some investment upfront and little attention or investment once installed. 

5. Spread Things Out 

Instead of trying to pack your budget landscape design with every centimeter of your yard covered, spread things out. There’s a lot to be said for open spaces which can be very relaxing. 

For example, instead of creating a path of interlock, spread out stepping stones to create texture and walkways. Instead of packing flowers into beds introduce more affordable containers or little statues. When landscaping on a budget you need to think small and find ways to make the most of what you’ve got. 

Now that you know how to make your yard beautiful on a budget, you can speak to our team to discuss the best materials to get started. 

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New exteriors are one of the best ways to radically alter your home’s appearance and value. Whether you have brick and want to add some stone or are thinking of adding both materials to the front of your house, there is a whole world of exciting possibilities to explore in mixing these two materials. If you’re not confident or you’re just looking for some inspiration, explore these six exciting home designs that include stone and brick. 

1. All-White Stone with Red Brick Landscaping 

Combine the classic look of rich red brick with the elegance of all-white exterior stone with this style. Use a textured white brick on the home exterior and add accents in the landscaping and on the exterior itself with red brick that is equally textured. The big contrast in colour and style makes a statement. 

2. Soft Red Brick and Soft Grey Stone 

Is that intensely contrasting style not for you? Then try picking stone and brick that are both medium shades, not too stark or bright. You can combine a softer more subtle mix of red and grey brick with all grey stone. Keep the textures the same, smooth or rough, to limit the contrast there too. Then your eye will just focus on the red and grey contrast. 

Thinking about making updates to your home exterior? We’d love to help modernize your home. Give us a call today. 

3. Dark Brick with Modern Stone   

Not quite classic, dark almost purple brick is still an older style of brick that harkens back to magnificent country properties. In the modern-day, these properties are more likely to be built with smooth and light-coloured stones. So, if you’re building an extension on such an old brick home, add a light modern stone to up the contrast. Or, combine both materials in a new build to mash up old and new. 

4. Red Brick and Modern Foundations 

Is that beautiful modern stone you like a bit outside of your price range? You can still get a touch of it and buy mostly a cheaper material. Combine a modern mix of red brick with a rough modern stone. Make most of the exterior out of the brick, but add a strip around the foundation out of stone, and potentially make the entryway out of stone too. You’ll see the stone you love every time you use the front door. 

5. Pink Brick and Cream Stone 

We haven’t yet discussed a style with pink brick. This light, playful material is a great pairing for equally light and more heavily textured stone. If you like the idea of pink brick but have thought it’s a bit much on a whole home, adding stone is a great way to dilute the pink and create a more sophisticated look. 

6. Brick with Coping Stone  

Any design with great windows deserves to have coping stone to make it look even better. You can pair just coping stone with brick! 

Thinking about adding stone or brick to your home exterior? At Grand River Natural Stone, we can help! Give our team a call today.

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The post 6 Exciting Exterior Home Designs with Stone and Brick appeared first on Grand River Natural Stone.

Flagstone is a beautiful natural stone product that is available in several varieties including sandstone, slate, granite, Eramosa, and more. It is a popular hardscaping choice as more homeowners look to create a sophisticated yet organic look in their gardens. It is versatile and produces a high-end look which is easily adapted to many styles whether you prefer classic, contemporary, or ultra-modern.

It is also an easy material to work with, making it ideal for DIY landscapers. Here are seven landscaping ideas with flagstone easy enough for your next DIY project.

1. Sophisticated Flagstone Patios

As mentioned, the beauty of flagstone is that you can create any number of looks to suit your sense of style including:

• It can be cut into precise squares to create a grid pattern
• Rough cuts can be applied to craft organic pavers
• They are slip-resistant making them ideal for your outdoor living space.

2. Draw People In with Walkways

Show people the way to your garden features whether it is the pool, a guest house, a place to sit or your DIY flagstone firepit. Walkways help break up large lawns, and also make it easier for people to make their way to the special places in your backyard. Flagstone paths are also relatively low maintenance and can be combined with:

• The addition of ground cover plants or grass
• Other materials such as pebbles, quartz, or even crushed brick
• Simple flagstone & gravel pathways

3. Add Pattern and Texture with Flagstone Stepping-Stones

Stepping stones are an excellent way to stretch your material budget as you create paths and walkways carefully placed amongst your lawn or in combination with materials such as pea stone. It is a more rustic look, but can also be designed as:

• An ultra-modern feature combined with edgy lighting and stark tall perennial grasses
• A little more whimsical path with pretty low growing herbs, or edging with colourful flowers

4. Detail for Flower Beds

Repurpose flagstone placing it vertically and buried in the soil to create a rustic, yet sophisticated flagstone landscape edging for your garden beds. This is an excellent choice along pathways of gravel or pea stone, as it creates more texture. It is an eclectic look building off nature’s aesthetics while also creating contrast when using different materials such as:

• Various stones such as pea stone, crushed brick or river stone
• Plantings along the edges of the flagstone such as ground cover
• More flagstone either to match your edging or to add contrast
• Wood chips

Interested in an easy DIY project for your backyard? Try adding some flagstone to get that natural look. To learn more about flagstones, contact our team at Grand River Natural Stone today.

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5. Enhance Water Features

Flagstone is a next-level border for water features as it is the ideal deflector for moisture. Because it is a naturally occurring material flagstone absorbs water helping to control runoff, while creating clean edges cut to suit your needs. Some uses include:

• Ponds
• Flagstone waterfalls
• Fountains
• Flagstone pools

6. Pool Decks

Instead of going with boring concrete, flagstone is the ideal choice for pool decks. Second only to its elegance, flagstone is naturally slip-resistant making it a safe choice for your poolside deck.

Working on your landscaping project and need quality materials? Look no further. At Grand River Natural Stone, we only provide top-quality materials for our customers. Contact us today to learn more about our flagstones and other materials you may need for your DIY projects!

_Sources:

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Are you really optimizing your landscape for all seasons? Neglecting to consider how your landscaping will look in winter can be a big mistake in Ontario. Winter is so long that we really need to include elements that can add visual interest in the winter. Fall and spring aren’t peak flower season either, but your landscape can still look good during them. Here are some elements to include in your landscape plan to create all-season beauty. 

Mulch 

Wherever you’re tempted to lay down grass or more annual plants, consider some mulch. While many gardeners use mulch to help the soil retain moisture and nourish plants, mulch can be a decorative element of your garden too. Mulches add texture and colour, no matter the season. Plus, natural mulches made of cedar or other woods may add smell. You can have an aromatic garden even when you don’t have any plants in bloom. 

Natural Stone 

Natural stone is a smart choice for all-season landscaping because it isn’t impacted by the weather. Any hardscaping made with natural stone will add structure, visual interest and colour to your landscape in all four seasons. Consider these features:

• Retaining wall 
• Stone patio 
• Garden coping 
• Rock garden
• Pool edging
• Structure for water features 

Natural stone can also be a focal point of your garden instead of a structural element. Large, natural stone pieces such as our amethyst boulders, mica boulders or western black granite can be added to your landscape by themselves. Think of them as a natural sculpture and you’ll know where to put them. 

Four Season Trees 

Although evergreen trees are a great option for all-season landscaping, they aren’t your only option. In Ontario, almost all our landscapes include maples, and if you choose the right variety of maple you can get all-season interest. Maples are always interesting in summer and autumn, but these varieties also look great in winter and spring: 

• Paper Barked Maple (Acer griseum): This maple has very light green growth in the spring, which contrasts with its cinnamon-bronze bark. In the winter that bark stands out in a snowy landscape and slowly peels. 
• Three Flowered Maple (Acer triflorum): As its name suggests this maple produces clusters of three yellow flowers in the spring, showier than many other maple’s flowers. Plus it has a golden amber peeling bark that offers deep colour in the winter. 
• Marmo Freeman Maple (Acer x freemanii ‘Marmo’): This maple is also a spectacle in spring, with bright red flowers. In winter, the majestic oval silhouette adds elegance to a landscape. 

Landscape for All Seasons With the Right Supplies

For more landscaping ideas that add interest year-round, contact Grand River Natural Stone and we’ll help you develop a landscape plan. 

The post Planning Your Landscape For All Seasons appeared first on Grand River Natural Stone.

It’s amazing how your outdoor space can be brought to life with the simple addition of flagstone. Flagstone is an incredibly versatile material and can meet a variety of landscaping needs. Whether you have a few leftover pieces to use, or a whole bulk of slabs, you can add flagstone to create a truly unique back yard.

There are a number of simple, inventive flagstone landscaping ideas and rustic flagstone patio ideas available for every style and budget. We’ll take a look at a few below to help get your imagination started.

Flagstone Landscaping Ideas: Patios and Paths

Perhaps one of the simplest and most effective ways to use flagstone is to create an outdoor patio or path area.

You may want to try some of these ideas to make your pathways and patios stand out:

• Place large flagstones together to create a paved area over grass, leaving plenty of space in between. When the grass grows it will rise up in between the slabs. This creates a unique rustic look and contrast between the colours of your grass and the colour of your flagstone. For other rustic flagstone patio ideas, consider using different sizes and shapes of stones and adding in more natural plants and wooden patio furniture.
• If you’d prefer a more polished look, use square and straight cut pieces for a clean and elegant finish.
• Play around with different colours. Use different shades to create different effects. Think about contrasting your patio area to the other colours throughout your yard or home, or match everything to create a certain mood and ambience.
• A simple flagstone path can be created by laying down sand or concrete, adding your flagstones in a creative pattern, then simply filling in the spaces in between with gravel. The gravel can be light or dark to enhance the look.
• Use flagstone to build a raised patio area. Elevate yourself from the rest of your landscape and make your patio a focal point with various colours and patterns.
• Extend your concrete patio area by adding in some flagstone. This will create a diverse and unique looking space for barbecuing, lounging or whatever use you can dream up.
• A flagstone stepping stone path can join other aspects of your yard such as flowerbeds or gardens and create fun pathways through your space.

Additional Flagstone Landscape Ideas

Remember that larger flagstone pieces can add different design elements and incorporate different tones into your landscape, while smaller pieces can add subtle hints and pops of colour here and there.

Here are some additional ideas you may want to consider for using flagstone:

• If your garden is on a slope, think about creating distinct levels with a flagstone retaining wall.
• Use flagstone to house a rockery and small plants.
• Build flagstone steps and create structure and creative designs leading into your home or other areas of your landscape.
• Create a natural looking hearth with flagstone. Choose your preferred design and colour to build a dynamic fire pit that act as the centrepiece for your outdoor lounge or dining areas.
• Smaller flagstone pieces can be used for placemats and coasters if you have an outdoor dining area. Shattered pieces can be formed into a mosaic-type design and used in creative ways including tables, planter pots, and wall décor.

Check out our gallery for more inspiring ideas.

Whatever your design preference, consider some of these flagstone landscaping ideas to add some flair to your next outdoor project. For questions or more ideas, contact Grand River Natural Stone for all of your landscaping needs.

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The world is full of vibrant, unique and natural rocks. Discover how you can have them all in your garden with landscape rockery.

Exploring Different Types of River Rock for Landscaping Your Garden

Landscaping rocks can play many roles in your garden, from river beds and garden borders to pond edging and rock gardens. Depending on the unique garden atmosphere you are trying to cultivate, some rocks you may never have considered might just be the perfect complement to your space.

Check out some of the different options available with photos below to see which types stand out to you.

Landscaping Rockery Options

Looking for some alternative rocks to showcase in your garden but not sure which types of rocks would look best? Here we’ll take a closer look at some interesting rocks from all over the world that can truly diversify the look of your garden. Give our team at Grand River Natural Stone a call today to learn more.

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Mexican Beach Pebbles

These small stones are from Mexico and look stunning just about anywhere. Mexican Beach Pebbles are perfect for the bottom of your garden river bed, or in a decorative rock garden itself. Each stone is smooth and round. Together they create a soft gray look for your riverbed.

Mossy Rock

These limestone boulders come in many sizes and are home to a vibrant green moss. Together, the rough stone and plush moss make any garden space look more natural and older. Mature gardens are a luxury and when you add some of these mossy rocks you’ll see why.

Petrified Wood

Petrified wood is a naturally unique rock that is actually fossilized organic matter. It maintains the interesting texture from the original wood, plus its life as a rock has given it even more texture and color. You can find a wide variety of petrified wood including rustic reds and dark black pieces.

Granite Boulders

Granite in your garden serves a different role than the granite in your kitchen. It lasts longer and looks rougher than counter-top granite. These large granite boulders will look right at home in natural, wild garden spaces and at the edge of ponds.

Turquoise Boulders

Have you ever seen stones in a more surprising shade? Turquoise boulders bring something special to your garden, especially if you’re trying to create a tropical or Asian-inspired look. The light green reminds us of sophisticated jade and it will look just a luxurious in your yard.

Lace Rock

Lace rock has many small holes, like its namesake. You may have seen this natural volcanic rock in a pet store. This is a dynamic choice of rock to place in your pond or large specimens of lace rock can make a standout centerpiece in your rock garden.

Natural Rockery from Grand River Natural Stone

Didn’t see the exact rockery your garden needs? Grand River Natural Stone carries a huge range of rock options and our thoughtful staff would love to help you choose the right one for your green space. Contact us to learn more about natural garden rocks.

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