Here in the state of Washington rain is something we rarely have a shortage of. Even during the hot summer months we often will get some rain at least once every two weeks or so. With this excellent natural resource it is almost silly that we still rely on tap water to irrigate our yards. There are some great natural irrigation solutions out there and one that is becoming more and more common are rain barrels. Rain barrels are a water collection system that are typically hooked up to a home’s gutter downspouts with the intention of gathering rain water for use on plants, gardens, lawns and anything else that requires watering.

A Rain Barrel system can be a do it yourself project or you can hire someone and have them come in and perform the installation for you. It is a relatively simple concept so most people are apt to do it themselves. Here are some great resources on how to setup your own Rain Collection system at your home.

HGTV: An good online guide to making your rain barrel. http://www.hgtv.com/landscaping/rain-barrels/index.html

Looking to Hire someone? This Tacoma based company sells safe rain barrels and accessories to make your install easier.   http://www.naturalrainwater.com/

Many people choose to add a fence to a property is to increase privacy in a yard or to block street/road noise. Depending on your property this may or may not completely work. If you are trying to block out road noise but your home sits on a hill above the road chances are good that you are not going to be able to block it all out with the traditional fence. Fencing regulations make this difficult by limiting how high you can build, and for good reason.  If we were all allowed to build fences as tall as we like we would more than likely end up with some very ugly neighborhoods.   If you find yourself in this situation a great work around is to use trees and shrubs acting as a fence with no height regulations. A fence will help out with the majority of noise but in some situations you must go beyond the fence.   As always, it is good to ask yourself a few questions before you get started on a project like this.

First, how urgently do you need to block out the noise? Is it immediate or can you live with it while you wait for the trees to grow? This will make a difference on how much you spend and what kind of plants you purchase. Some plants grow faster than others so it is good to do your research and find out what will be best for your situation.

How much noise is there? Do you need really thick trees or just something to block visibility? This will also have an impact on what kind of plants you purchase and how much money you spend. If you are trying to block out really loud road noise you will want a thicker tree/shrub that will absorb much of the sound. If sound is not an issue but you are trying to block a view you may not need such a thick shrub.

What kind of budget are you on? Plants range is cost and can be a make it or break it for your project. If you are looking for plants that are already grown to a certain height then you will be spending more vs. plants that are still small.

Like most projects it is important to do some research before you go out and buy. The last thing you want to do is spend money on a plant/tree that loses its leaves in the fall. What good is that going to do? So be sure to take the time and learn about what will fit your needs best. Below are some great resources on trees and shrubs that could help out on your project.

Fast Growing Trees – A list and review of trees that grow quicker than others

Best Trees to Block Road Noise – A short E-how article recommending trees to block noise.

Guide to Soundproofing a Home – Another E-how article on steps to soundproof a home

A practical Guide to Noise Control – An 160 page E-book guide to cutting down noise.

It is no secret that we treasure our relationships with our fuzzy canine friends and in northwest it can be love and hate at times. Dogs are great, but with them come a long trail of dirt and mud, especially during the wet winter months. So how can you have the best of both worlds? Build a dog run, of course.

The problem with dogs in a backyard is that during the winter they can track up your lawn and bring dirt and mud into your home. Not to mention that fact that if you have a large yard you have to go hunt down their business and we all know that in itself can be a challenging task. By building a dog run you not only give your friend a place to run, but you confine their bathroom space to a manageable area.

So how do you build a dog run? It’s a lot simpler than you would think.  First, you need to pick out a decent sized space in your yard that you don’t mind giving up to Fido. A lot of times a good spot for this could be in a side-yard along the side of your house. You want to make sure the run is at least 10 feet wide and as long as your yard will permit. If you want to save on materials it could help to build the run along the edge of an already built fence or as mentioned before, alongside your home.

Next you need to choose your ground material- a feature that is particularly important here in the damp northwest. If your dog run is going to be on grass, now is the time to come to terms with the fact that it may not last very long in that area. Dogs tend to tear up grass and in the winter can destroy it simply by playing on it. A good solution is to lay down wood chips to cover the mud and keep your pooch’s paws clean in the winter. This will also help out when cleaning up after your dog. If wood chips aren’t your thing you could lay down some gravel, sand or concrete. (Tip: if you are using gravel make sure it is not the sharp kind or you could end up with a dog that has cut up paws).

There are several options when it comes to enclosing a dog run and they run the gambit from cheap to semi expensive. If you really want to save money you can run a cable with a leash attached to it but that does not allow your dog much freedom to run. Ideally you would want to build a small fence that is just high enough to keep them in the run. For a quote on a dog run fence contact us today as we would be glad to help.

For those of you who really like to spoil your dogs you can get creative and fun with the dog run. Try adding a covered space for when it’s raining or integrating a nice dog house in to the space. Overall your dog run is going to help keep your pet happy, you happy and your house and yard much nicer. Trust us, your dog will thank you.’

www.fencespecialists.com