Make sure you stop by to see us at Booth #1021, in Hall D.  We’ve put together some awesome offers just for the show, and we’re featuring some exciting plant materials.

This year’s show is at the Stampede grounds from Thursday 23rd to Sunday 26th of February.

See you there!

and we’re looking forward to another great landscaping season, although we’re really hoping the weather will cooperate a little better than it did last year!

20 Years in Calgary

This year we’re particularly excited as we’re celebrating 20 years of landscaping in Calgary, and we’ve put together some great deals

The weather is awesome, and we’re off to a royal start for the Calgary Stampede 2011.  To celebrate, we’re offering a free shrub* to all our new landscaping clients.

Just say “YAHOO!” when you phone or email for an estimate during stampede, and receive a free shrub with your landscaping project.

(*The variety of shrub will depend on availability but will be a 2-gallon dogwood, potentilla or equivalent.)

So, call 403-279-9791 this week, or email tarance@greentreelandscapes.com.  And remember to say “Yahoo!”

It’s a great way to establish what you’re getting, and avoid any last-minute surprises, for many reasons:

• When you see everything laid down on paper it is much easier for you to get an accurate idea of what your landscape contractor is proposing
• Without the accurate measurements built into the design, it can be very easy to miscalculate what will actually fit where, or how landscape elements will scale within your space
• Your designer will detail exactly what elements or features fit into each space, and will calculate precisely what materials will be required
• When there is a design in place, every member of the landscape construction team knows exactly what has to go where, and the project will always stay in line with your vision

So, except in the simplest of project, it always makes sense to start with a tightly defined design and a clear vision that is shared by everyone.

Call Tarance today on 403-279-9791, or send an email to ask about professional landscape design and construction services.

Before you see your landscape designer or contractor it’s a great idea to have some ideas in your mind.  It gives you a starting point for discussions and consultation, and it helps your landscaper to understand what it is you want.

But, where will you find that inspiration?  The possibilities are really limited only by your imagination, but here are some great starting points:

• Gardening magazines.  Get current editions of as many different publications as you can find, but also consider visiting the library to check out back issues.  Looking through pictures is a fun way to get inspired and excited.
• Gardening books.  Likewise, books offer a wealth of ideas, and can help you work out what is suitable for your area.  Here in Calgary I would definitely recommend The Calgary Gardener I and II, and Gardening Under the Arch.
• Online.  Ezinearticles.com and ehow.com both have some great articles, and there are probably many more if you search.
• Your local horticultural society – they can recommend some local resources which will help you come up with ideas.
• Garden centres – just wondering around the garden centre is a great way to get excited.  Many of them have little display gardens set up, and they also have a good supply of books to browse.

Of course, if you don’t have time for all that research, don’t worry.  Your landscape contractor will be able to give you all the ideas you need.  Just make sure you have some specific ideas of how you want to use your space, what materials and colours you like, what accomodations need to be made for pets or children – those kinds of things.

Of course Greentree Landscapes can help you design the perfect space for your lifestyle.  Call Tarance on 403-279-9791 or email Greentree Landscapes to make an appointment for a free landscaping consultation.

Let’s hope that’s true, because I think we’re all ready to get out and enjoy some sunshine.

It’s also good news for those planning their landscaping for this month.  This damp, cool weather provides the perfect conditions for new plants to acclimatize, and means you won’t have to do too much watering (always a good thing!).  Then when the summer finally hits in July, you’ll be praising your own foresight as you sit outside enjoying your beautiful new yard.

The spring is booking up fast, so call now if you don’t want to miss out – 403-279-9791, or drop us an email.