The Breakaway Landscaping Blog

There is a certain joy to planting native trees in our landscaping. Many native trees are popular landscape trees, not only because our climate has made for some beautiful fall displays, but also because you know you’re providing food and shelter for local animals and insects when you do.   When you plant native species, you can support the local environment …

Should you build your patio yourself or should you hire someone to build it? For some, the convenience and security of having a professional contractor are worth it. For others, the satisfaction of building something with their own two hands is better. Which is right for you? There are plenty of other factors to consider.  1. Costs  When you do …

Spring and summer usher in the season of growth. Ideally, it is characterized by well-manicured lawns with lush, green grass and blossoming flowers. However, the grass and weeds will grow out of control if you don’t take proper care of your lawn, giving your home a shabby curb appeal. Here is a brief lawn maintenance checklist to ensure that your …

Do you want to spend more time in your garden and less time maintaining it? We don’t blame you. There’s no point in having a lush green yard if you need to spend all of your time weeding, mowing and watering instead of sitting in it or entertaining in it. The good news is that you can plan to have …

If you have a concrete retaining wall in your garden that is ruining your view, you might feel your only option is to tear it down and rebuild it. However, your unsightly wall doesn’t have to cost a fortune to replace. Instead, you can use these tips to learn how to hide a concrete retaining wall for a fraction of the cost.  …

Often people overlook the joy their gardens and property can provide throughout the year. As a result, it is common to focus on their garden’s appearance during the spring and summer, with less thought for the fall and winter months. However, you can add more interest, by planting evergreens. This provides a prettier view of your gardens in the colder …

Concrete driveways are meant to be relatively maintenance-free and long-lasting. However, it just takes unsightly rust stains to make them appear old and interfere with your home’s curb appeal. Here we explain how to get rust stains off your concrete driveway to bring it back to its original colour. Using Natural Rust Stain Removers If you have pets or want …

An excellent way to make the most of your outdoor living space is to add landscaping lighting. Lighting is not just functional. It also transforms your space by adding drama, highlighting your favourite garden features, and even casting shadows to add texture. Here’s how to design landscaping lighting for safety and aesthetics. Create a Plan Make a rough layout of …

Retaining walls play an important role in your landscape design. Not only do they serve practical purposes to hold back soil, but also can create a beautiful detail that adds texture, interest, and levels to your garden. The trick is choosing the right types of retaining wall materials. Here we review the pros and cons of wood vs concrete block …

Investing in a new lawn can provide the beautifully manicured finishing touch for your home’s curb appeal. Unfortunately, once your new lawn is laid, you could soon find what you dreamed of having and the reality are two different things. It all stems from the proper care in the first few weeks to help establish your lawn. What you do …