Perfect Gifts for The Person Who Loves Outdoor Living

Looking for something to give the person who loves the outdoors and outdoor living in Tulsa? From running to biking to just relaxing or entertaining friends in their outdoor living space, many Tulsa area residents love being outside on a nice Oklahoma day. What can you get someone who spends all their free time in the garden or who has an outdoor environment, outdoor kitchen, or fireplace?

Here are a few outdoor living Tulsa gifts . . .

Backyard Movie Theater – Get something for the entire family with this outdoor entertainment amazon.com)

system. Show movies in HD in your own Tulsa outdoor living space. With a flat screen, WiFi Bluray player, and speakers, you can have everything you need to watch a movie or play Xbox or Wii right outside. (

Gardening Book: Fine Foliage – Better Homes & Gardens recommends the book Fine Foliage by Karen Chapman and Christina Salwitz for the gardening enthusiast, which offers guidance on plant combinations and container gardens. (amazon.com)

Motorized Grill Brush – If you have an outdoor kitchen, this motorized grill brush with heavy-duty steam cleaning power may help you save time cleaning. This motorized grill from Brookstone has a built-in mist sprayer that turns to steam on the hot grill to loosen tough grease and then the motor and dual stainless steel brushes scrub for you. For the man who loves to grill, this may be just the gift. (brookstone.com)

Hammock – After you’ve enjoyed grilling in your outdoor kitchen or while your kids play in the pool, relax the afternoon away in this cozy hammock. This Amazonas Naturalesa Brazilian Fabric two-person hammock bed is perfect for enjoying a nice afternoon nap in your Tulsa outdoor living space. (yardenvy.com)

Herb Garden – Does someone you know love fresh herbs? Help them start their own herb garden with Rootcup. Grow herbs or succulents in these small sub-irrigation plants made of durable, BPA-free, food-grade silicone that won’t scratch your countertop. (rootcup.com)

These are just a few of the great gifts you can find for your Tulsa outdoor living enthusiast. Of course, a great gift for the entire family is a complete outdoor environment with a custom pool, outdoor fireplace, and outdoor kitchen.

At Oklahoma Landscape in Tulsa, we can design and build your family the perfect outdoor living space. Call us today at 918.296.9679 for more information.

Splash Pads! A Great Alternative to Tulsa Pools

Designing and building swimming pools for Tulsa residents to enjoy is something we’re known for here at Oklahoma Landscape. But if you’re looking to create a great summertime play area for the kids without the investment of a pool, splash pads may be the way to go for you and your family. You may have been to a splash pad at a local Tulsa park, but these cool outdoor environments we can build right in your own backyard.

The Landscaping Network mentioned how these residential splash pads have been continually gaining popularity.

“If you want to save money, don’t have the space for a pool, or are looking for a safe way to stay cool, a splash pad is for you,” the article noted.

Ryan Werlich, representative of Rain Deck, a company that makes splash pad kits, indicated that splash pads are very versatile serving as a fun area for kids during the day, a fun area for dogs to play, a great landscaping water feature and even a patio area when they’re not in use.

These fun areas can be smaller than 100 square feet, Werlich noted, or as large as you want.

“A splash pad can be right next to the side of a building, making them a good option for side yards,” Landscaping Network reported. “Splash pads may also be installed as pool tie-ins when building a new pool.”

So if you’re planning building a swimming pool, consider also adding a splash pool!

As the article brought out, there are a variety of options available in splash pad building materials including stamped and stained concrete, pavers, rubber surfacing, slate, flagstone, broom finish and salt finish concrete, and many more.

Accordingly, not only are these splash pads fun for the kids, but they can also be built to match well with the architecture of your home and other Tulsa outdoor environment elements.

A blog post on apartmenttherapy.com featured a backyard super splash pad for a family with four children built from non-slippery Travertine tiles. The mother noted that they wanted something that looked mature but was also very child-friendly. She said it’s something their whole family enjoys in the hot Florida sun. Pictured above, this residential splash deck has a sophisticated design and yet is also kid-friendly. Keeping the design modern and simple like this one is provides a water feature that will not look too childish, but one that will coordinate with any luxury residential space.

So these exciting Tulsa outdoor living spaces can be kid-friendly and sophisticated all at the same time. They can be the perfect addition to your outdoor environment, particularly if you’re worried about space for a pool or the cost.

As experts in Tulsa pool design, our landscape contractors can design and build the ideal splash pad for your family and your landscape. We can create an entire outdoor living space for your family to ‘find themselves outside’ this summer!

Tulsa Outdoor Environments - The Top Outdoor Living Trends of 2014

A great outdoor living space perfect for entertaining is in high demand in the 2014 landscape design world. Like many Tulsa homeowners, people across the nation still want “attractively designed” outdoor environments to create more space for entertaining and relaxation.

The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) recently published its 2014 Residential Landscape Architecture Trends Survey, which reports on the latest demands in landscape design. In rating the expected popularity of various outdoor design elements, residential landscape architects from across the country ranked the category of gardens and landscaped spaces as most popular with a 94.2 percent rating, closely followed by outdoor living spaces like kitchens and entertainment spaces with a 92 percent rating.

“Homeowners know that designed landscapes add value to their lives as well as their property values,” ASLA executive vice president and CEO Nancy Somerville said. “They’re interested in livable, open spaces that are both stylish and earth-friendly.”

According to the ASLA, having a landscape architect skillfully design your outdoor elements and landscaping is one the best investments for your home and can add as much as 15 percent to its value over comparable homes. And, the ASLA noted, the home value literally grows over time while you enjoy your outdoor living space.

What is in popular demand for 2014 among outdoor living features? Outdoor lighting was rated first by 98.3 percent of respondents, followed by seating and dining areas with 97.7 percent, fire pits and fireplaces with 95.4 percent, grills with 94.3 percent and installed seating with 89.6 percent.

What do these results tell us about Tulsa outdoor environment trends for 2014? Outdoor living spaces that are ideal for entertaining are in high demand. Many homeowners would like to spend even more time entertaining or relaxing in their outdoor environment in Tulsa, and they can with the right outdoor lighting design.

Sustainability and low maintenance landscapes were again also in high demand as popular landscape and garden elements for 2014. Native plants were high on the list of eco-friendly design elements along with fountains and ornamental water features as popular landscaping and garden elements. Many are also favoring food and vegetable gardens including orchards and vineyards.

“Decorative water elements – including waterfalls, ornamental pools, and splash pools – were predicted to be in demand for home landscapes (86.1 percent). Spas (76.4 percent) and swimming pools (73.8 percent) are also expected to be popular,” ASLA reported.

Patios, terraces, and decks are high on the list for outdoor structures as are fencing and pergolas. These additions can really become an extension of your home and living space. More and more functionality and customization are being added to these outdoor environments in Tulsa.

Elegant and practical outdoor living spaces will continue to be popular home additions. For more landscape design and outdoor living space ideas, contact the Tulsa landscape architects at Oklahoma Landscape.

Tulsa Pool Builders Oklahoma Landscape Create Luxury Backyard Retreats

A swimming pool for your Tulsa home may be one of the first things on your list for summer. Especially since Oklahoma summer weather can get pretty extreme, Tulsa homeowners often choose a custom swimming pool to relax and cool off in during the summer heat. Children gather around pools during the summer, and parents who give their child a pool party will unquestionably win ‘the coolest parent’ award. 

But more than simply a way to entertain friends or keep children busy during the summer months, custom-designed pools and spas give added value to Tulsa homes and property, providing Tulsa homeowners with a great investment for the future. 

What are some choices when it comes to designing and building a pool for your Tulsa home?

Swimming pools in Tulsa become the center of a complete backyard retreat for your family. Imagine going to a luxury resort in Hawaii, lying by a magnificently-designed pool with waterfalls, fountains, swim-up bars, slides, and other elegant amenities. All of these can be designed and built in your custom Tulsa backyard pool area. Nearly, the only limit is your imagination. 

Baja steps allow for cool relaxing as chairs can be placed in the water on the Baja step, giving sunbathers a way to easily put their feet in the water to cool off.

A poolside fountain with dramatic lighting can create a romantic atmosphere to relax by at night. Waterfalls and spillways also create that soothing and elegant environment that differentiates a simple pool from a resort spa. The variety of styles of these water features can range from soft and peaceful flowing water as a small accent to the pool to surrounding the pool with chic columns and rushing waterfalls. 

 

A variety of materials can be used to create your custom Tulsa swimming pool and surrounding patio area including natural stones, tiles, stamped concrete, gunite, and other materials that give your pool area the sophisticated look and feel you want.

And of course, pool areas can also be combined with other elegant outdoor environment features like outdoor kitchens, fireplaces and fire pits to create a total outdoor entertaining area. 

Relax in style this summer with a custom-designed and built swimming pool. Create a luxury resort in your very own backyard with landscape designs from Tulsa’s Oklahoma Landscape.

Winter - A Great Time to Design your Dream Tulsa Outdoor Environment

While there may not be as much to do outside this time of year (unless you have an outdoor fireplace or fire pit), there are some things you can work on even inside to fully enjoy your Tulsa outdoor space in the future.

Winter is a good time for Tulsa homeowners to consider landscape renovation plans for the coming year. After all, we update our houses. Shouldn’t we also update our landscapes and outdoor living areas? Tastes and styles change over time and that’s true also in regard to our Tulsa outdoor environment. These renovations could range from full-scale, complete outdoor environment additions to simple changes in flowers, plants, or shrubs.

Whatever renovations you may be thinking for your outdoor space, winter is a great time to start planning. The Tulsa landscape designers at Oklahoma Landscape can help you evaluate your existing space, give you options on how to improve your landscape based on how you want to use the space, and begin planning and designing the renovations.

Beautiful outdoor spaces not only add to your outdoor enjoyment, but they also add to the value of your property and home.  Landscape renovations can provide you with a gorgeous outdoor living area while also correcting other landscaping issues like erosion or poor drainage. A professional Tulsa landscape designer can help you prevent costly mistakes and offer innovative design solutions so you get the most from your landscape. They can also assist you with zone laws and other concerns that could arise in projects like these.

In planning a landscape renovation, consider how you will want to most often use your landscape. Do you like to have friends over and cook out? An outdoor kitchen would help you be the host of the neighborhood. Would you like to enjoy romantic evenings with your spouse? An outdoor fireplace creates a cozy, relaxing atmosphere. Do you have kids that need a place to hang out and get out of the house during the summer? A custom, kid-friendly pool will be a perfect way for them to spend the summer. Or do all these outdoor living plans fit your lifestyle? A landscape design professional can help you blend all these elements together seamlessly to create one unique and functional outdoor living space.

Developing a plan, budget, and schedule during the winter months can ensure you’ll enjoy your renovated landscape next year. So while you may not get to enjoy your landscape as much as you’d like to this winter, dreaming of and planning that perfect outdoor environment can keep you entertained until the warm weather arrives.

Tulsa Fire Pits - the Many Benefits for your Outdoor Environment

As the weather gets colder, fire pits become the focal point of Tulsa outdoor living spaces. These hardscape elements provide a cozy area for friends and family to relax and keep warm. But the ambiance they give also makes them a charming design element addition for your outdoor space.

Fire pits have become a popular addition to Tulsa area homes. With 360-degree access, these design features allow for larger groups of friends to gather around the fire to roast marshmallows and talk about old times, more of a campfire feel than outdoor fireplaces.

These fire features can be built using a variety of finishing materials such as stone, copper, metal, concrete, or brick and can be wood, gas, propane, or ethanol burning. Fire pits can also come in a variety of shapes including triangular, L-shaped, square, or landscape architects can design a custom shape for fire pit.

Fire pits are great for your outdoor environment because they can be the perfect entertaining spot without overwhelming your outdoor environment. They are ideal for sitting around to watch the sunset or view the beautiful surrounding landscape or cityscape. You can create ample seating for the fire pit by creating a built-in seating wall, with or without a back rests, and add colorful weatherproof cushions to create a warm and inviting ambiance.
The fire pit can be customized to how you will want to use it and be designed to complement your home and outdoor environment. There are many different styles and themes for fire pits and outdoor environments, anything from Mediterranean or Tuscan to contemporary or traditional. Create a unique atmosphere and style with your Tulsa outdoor fire pit.

These design elements are practical as well as inviting and add a great deal of value to your Tulsa property.  Oklahoma Landscape can design and build the ultimate fire pit for your outdoor living space, creating unforgettable evenings with friends and family.

Blending the Inside with Outside - Tulsa Outdoor Environment Designs

Tulsa outdoor environments allow homeowners to  utilize our outdoor space, engage with nature, and relax with friends after a busy workweek. What are some of the décor and design options of outdoor environments? What are the trends? With the almost endless variety of materials that can be used to create hardscapes for your outdoor environment, you can create an almost infinite array of designs for your outdoor space.

A well-designed outdoor environment can complement your home’s architecture and style. Thus, outdoor living spaces can greatly increase the value of your home and property while increasing your home’s curb appeal, in case you would ever want to sell. Outdoor living spaces can showcase your style with a particular theme like Mediterranean, Contemporary, Asian, Traditional, etc. So have fun with your outdoor space and create a beautiful staycation resort in your own backyard. And the added beauty is that you don’t have to pack. More and more, people are utilizing their outdoor space as an extension of their home.

Homeowners are blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor living spaces. Thus, they’re endeavoring to make their backyards more useful and comfortable, taking the best indoor amenities outside. For instance, outdoor kitchens in Tulsa are becoming more popular because, of course, food is at the center of great entertaining. These outdoor kitchens are built fully stocked with state-of-the-art grilling and cooking equipment, granite countertops, refrigerators, bar seating for great conversation, and much more. And homeowners are now bringing all the great entertainment features outside. From flat screen televisions, wireless devices, and surround sound to complete outdoor movie theaters, homeowners have all the entertainment services they need in their Tulsa outdoor environment.

And the lines are being blurred with outdoor furniture décor as well. No longer is there just plastic patio furniture and lawn chairs. Many styles, materials, and colors for outdoor furniture take their inspiration from fine indoor décor. Of course, everything outside needs to be weatherproof, but today many outdoor, weatherproof furnishings are also very posh and trendy, from throw pillows, cushions, rugs, and more. These also come in variety of designer colors, giving your Tulsa outdoor environment a touch of urban flare. Beyond just more stylish fabric, outdoor furnishings now more readily resemble your indoor space with coffee tables, sofas, and chic dining sets. Enjoying your outdoor space has never been easier or classier.

With many homeowners wanting to get back to nature more and relax in the beauty that only the outdoors brings, outdoor environments allow homeowners to be more comfortable outside and get more use from their outdoor space.

Enjoy your Tulsa Outdoor Environment with Effective Mosquito Prevention

Mosquitos may often prevent you from fully enjoying your Tulsa outdoor environment. These irritating insects are not only bothersome, but can be life-threatening. Fifteen Oklahomans lost their lives because of the West Nile virus, which is transmitted to humans by mosquitos, in 2012, and so far five Oklahomans have died this year because of the disease, according to the Oklahoma State Health Department.

Although the weather is getting cooler, people are still at the greatest risk of expose to mosquitos infected with the virus from July through October, the OSHD said.

So what can you do to prevent mosquitos from spoiling your outdoor living space? Mosquito misting systems have become a popular and effective means of controlling mosquitos in outdoor areas.  These systems spray a fine mist of insecticide throughout your outdoor space to eliminate these pests. Mosquito misting systems can be automated to send out the mist at high-risk times, during dawn and dusk, or can be controlled with a handheld remote, perfect in preparing for special events or cook-outs. The automatic units can either be tankless or a traditional drum-based systems that ensure an even distribution of the insecticide.

Most insecticides in these misting systems use a botanical active ingredient called pyrethrin, which is derived from chrysanthemum flowers. While not exactly “organic” because the ingredient contains a man-made “synergist,” they are low in toxicity to people and pets, noted MistAway Systems, a popular mosquito misting system company. There is also a man-made misting treatment called permethrin that acts much like pyrethrin and is also low in toxicity. In fact, MistAway noted that these are important ingredients in many household products like aerosols and pet shampoos. However, they can cause respiratory problems, the company said, so it’s recommended not to use the misting system around people, pets, or food. Oklahoma Landscape offers mosquito misting systems to eliminate these irritants for Tulsa homeowners.

Another important way of preventing mosquitos is to remove items such as old tires, bottles, buckets, unused ceramic pots, jars, and other things that can hold standing water, where mosquitos breed. The Oklahoma City County Health Department reminded residents to change the water in birdbaths at least twice a week as well as emptying pets’ water pans daily.
Note these other prevention tips from the OCCHD mosquito checklist:

• Clean clogged gutters and/or slope to downspouts.
• Drain improperly installed and sagging swimming pool covers.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor spas, saunas, and hot tubs. If not used, keep them empty and covered.
• Change water and scrub containers holding outdoor plants twice a week.
• Screen or cover rain barrels and openings to water tanks.
• Repair leaky pipes and faucets.
• Stock ornamental ponds with mosquito-eating fish.
• Eliminate weeds and tall grass to prevent mosquito breeding sites.
• Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens.

Air curtains and mosquito netting can also be used to reduce mosquitos as well as other portable traps and citronella candles. Insect repellents made with DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus can also be effective in preventing mosquito bites when applied to the skin or clothing. Also, it’s recommended to wear long sleeves, long pants, and light colors when you’re in areas with a possible high concentration of mosquitos like when doing yard work, camping, or other outdoor activities.

The OSHD says that mosquitos most likely to transmit the West Nile virus are most active during early morning and evening hours, so staying indoors during dawn and dusk would help reduce the risk of infection.

Oklahoma Landscape can help keep your Tulsa outdoor living spaces like outdoor kitchens, outdoor fireplaces, and swimming pools free from mosquitos and help you enjoy your outdoor environment pain-free.

Tulsa Outdoor Environments - Outdoor Kitchens, Fireplaces, Pools - Tulsa Landscaping Company Oklahoma Landscape

Tulsa Landscaping Company Oklahoma Landscape is your one source for everything outdoors. From landscape design and lawn care to complete outdoor environment design/build, we are the premier landscaping company in Tulsa. As your landscape professionals, Oklahoma Landscape is the company that will work with you from concept to creation, taking your ideas and building them into luxury outdoor environments. Also serving the Jenks, Bixby, Owasso, Broken Arrow, Catoosa, Claremore, Sand Springs, and Sapulpa areas, we are your local Tulsa landscaping company, offering complete lawn care and landscape design services. We offer comprehensive landscaping services including basic lawn care and mowing, weed control and fertilization, luxury garden design, outdoor kitchens, outdoor fireplaces, patios, pool design, hardscapes, pavers, irrigation, drainage, and landscape and holiday lighting. As a full-service landscaping company, we love to design living works of art for Tulsa commercial and residential customers. When you want quality, reliability, and innovation, choose the landscaping company that Tulsa has trusted since 1982 – Oklahoma Landscape – built around customer service and a love of landscaping.

LANDSCAPE DESIGN

As a professional landscaping company in Tulsa, Oklahoma Landscape is adept at creating luxury gardens, transforming ordinary backyards into relaxing outdoor living spaces, and building environments that add beauty and practical value to your home. Landscape design is the core of what we do. We are the Tulsa landscaping company with a complete team of design/build experts working together to make your dreams become reality, all with less communication issues and a tighter work schedule, to get the job done right. Oklahoma Landscape keeps the big picture in mind – creating sustainable spaces that conserve water and energy, determining the most practical materials to use for the long-term, and designing with our client’s plans for the future in the forefront. From state-of-the-art outdoor kitchens to outdoor fireplaces, pools, water features, and pergolas, we are your local landscaping company, here to help you ‘find yourself outside.’

·         Custom Landscape Design

·         Design/Build Experts

·         Tulsa Outdoor Kitchens, Fireplaces

·         Pergolas, Water Features, and More

IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE

As a full-service landscaping company in Tulsa, we can provide the custom irrigation and drainage services your landscape needs to thrive. As your local irrigation company, we service all brands of sprinkler systems, diagnosing and repairing any problems in your irrigation system.  With smart controllers and ET weather sensors, we can manage your irrigation and sprinkler system in real-time, conserving water while creating a healthier lawn. We can make sure your irrigation system is winter ready and always running at its peak efficiency during summer with annual service agreements. Proper drainage is vital for your landscape as well as your home. Our drainage specialists can inspect your home and determine the best drainage system for your landscape, whether French drains, tightline drains, waterproofing, or other surface drainage systems.  The Tulsa irrigation and drainage specialists at Oklahoma Landscape can protect your home and keep your landscape looking its best all year.

·         Sprinkler System Repair

·         French Drains

·         Tightline Drains

·         Irrigation System Management