Driveway Layout Options

Compare circular, curved, and straight driveway layouts

There are a variety of layout options for residential driveways. For example, you can have a circular drive, a long straight drive, or a driveway with sweeping curves. As with any home improvement project, you'll want to consider function before form. With that in mind there are four main considerations when determining the best driveway layout.

First, is how you want your driveway to function

Do you want room for two cars to pass? Do you need space for a turn-around? How much parking would you like?

Second, is the position of your home's garage

Does your garage face the street? Is it on the side of your home? Or is it a detached garage in the rear of your house?

Third, is your property's terrain

Will your driveway need to traverse a steep slope? Are there mature trees or large boulders you want to work around?

Fourth, is the look you would like to create

Do you want a grand estate-like entrance? Or are you looking for a simple driveway that doesn't distract from your home and landscaping?

Circular Driveways

Circular drives are one of the most popular driveway layouts. Sometimes called a horseshoe driveway, this layout option has an entrance at the road, rounds off as it approaches the house and then has a separate exit lane leading back to the road. This type of driveway is so popular because it eliminates the need for backing out or turning around so that you can always safely enter oncoming traffic in drive with a clear view of the road. A common variation on the circular driveway is the teardrop driveway. A teardrop driveway has only one entry and exit point off the road, but opens into a loop that cars may drive around. Whether a standard half-circle, a horseshoe or a teardrop design, circular drives require quite a bit of room, so they aren't typically an option if you have a small front yard.

Curved Driveways

There are a variety of reasons to opt for a curved driveway. First is that the best access point from the street does not line up with your garage, requiring the driveway to curve or angle. Second is that your property has existing trees, boulders or other features that you want your driveway to be designed around. Third is that you are looking to add interest to the overall look of your home and front yard. Whatever reason you have for wanting a curved driveway you'll want to make sure that it is maneuverable for all types of vehicles, from compact cars to large delivery trucks. Broad sweeping curves are the easiest to navigate and look the best. Additionally, you want to avoid placing curves too close to the street or house. This will give drivers time to safely straighten their wheels after leaving the road and before entering a garage or parking space.

Gentle curves help this driveway blend in amongst the ornamental grasses and olive trees.Michelle Derviss Landscape 

Design in Novato, CA.

Straight Driveways

There are two situations in which a completely straight driveway is appropriate. First is if you have a small front yard and the distance a vehicle will need to travel from street to garage is very short. In this situation your layout options are limited and it is best to keep your driveway simple and functional. Interest can be added to a short, straight driveway with decorative paving materials such as stamped concrete or interlocking pavers, as well as creative driveway lighting and striking plants. Second is if you have a long distance between the street and your home and are looking for an estate-like entrance. A long, straight driveway lined with trees is a great way to welcome guests to your home. This type of driveway layout purposefully directs people's focus to your home, putting it on display.

Gartencenter mit eigener Baumschule an der Algarve mit der größten Auswahl an Pflanzen, Bäume, Wasserpflanzen und Palmen.

Low Maintenance Landscape Design Ideas for reducing landscaping maintenance time and costs

Low Maintenance Landscape Design

Ideas for reducing landscaping maintenance time and costs

Low maintenance landscapes must be planned ahead of time. Many homeowners make the mistake of piecing their yard together here and there. This typically creates a landscape that requires more time and money to maintain than was anticipated. The best way to avoid this problem is to hire a professional landscape designer or architect to plan out your garden with reduced maintenance in mind.

Simplicity of DesignLandscaping experts agree that a simple design is the key to a low maintenance landscape. Christopher Starbuck, an Associate Professor for the Division of Plant Sciences at the University of Missouri Extension, says, "Simplicity is characteristic both of good design and low-maintenance landscapes. Eliminate frills such as statues and water features, or design them for easy care and maintenance." Let the landscaping professional that you choose to work with know up front that you would like a simple, low-maintenance landscape.

Low Maintenance PlantingAccording to Robert F. Brzuszek, an Assistant Extension Professor for The Department of Landscape Architecture at Mississippi State University, a low maintenance landscape must have the right size plant in the right place. If your designer keeps this in mind it will help you avoid constant pruning. Brzuszek also recommends planting in masses because plants are easier to care for and mow around when grouped. For the most success, mass plants with similar light, water and care needs.

MulchingSkip Richter, the director of the Travis County AgriLife Extension (Texas A&M), recommends mulching as a way to reduce landscape maintenance needs.

Benefits of mulching:

• Acts as a weed barrier
• Holds in moisture, which reduces watering
• Releases nutrients into the soil
• Improves the appearance of garden beds

Plant Disease Transmission To Humans: Can Virus And Plant Bacteria Infect A Human

No matter how closely you listen to your plants, you’ll never hear a single “Achoo!” from the garden, even if they’re infected with viruses or bacteria. Although plants express these infections differently from humans, some gardeners worry about plant disease transmission to humans – after all, we can get viruses and bacteria, too, right?

Can Plant Bacteria Infect a Human?

Although it would seem like a no brainer to assume that plant and human diseases are distinct and cannot crossover from plant to gardener, this isn’t the case at all. Human infection from plants is very rare, but it does happen. The primary pathogen of concern is a bacteria known as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which causes a type of soft rot in plants.

P. aeruginosa infections in humans can invade nearly any tissue in the human body, provided they are already weakened. Symptoms vary widely, from urinary tract infections to dermatitis, gastrointestinal infections and even systemic illness. To make matters worse, this bacterium is becoming increasingly antibiotic resistant in institutional settings.

But wait! Before you run to the garden with a can of Lysol, be aware that even in severely ill, hospitalized patients, the infection rate of P. aeruginosa is only 0.4 percent, making it highly unlikely that you will ever develop an infection even if you have open wounds that come in contact with infected plant tissues. Normally-functioning human immune systems make human infection from plants highly improbable.

Do Plant Viruses Make People Sick?

Unlike bacteria that can function in a more opportunistic fashion, viruses need very exacting conditions to spread. Even if you eat fruits from your squash mosaic infected melons, you won’t contract the virus responsible for this disease (Note: eating fruits from virus-infected plants isn’t recommended – they’re not usually very tasty but won’t hurt you.).

You should always cull virus-infected plants as soon as you realize they’re present in your garden, since they are often vectored from sick plants to healthy ones by sap-sucking insects. Now you can dive in, pruners blazin’, confident that there’s not a significant connection between plant diseases and humans.

Garten Design, Gartendesign, Gartenplanung, Gartengestaltung, Landschaftsplanung, Landschaftsarchitektur , Pflanzenschutz, Schädlingsbekämpfung, Palmen Schädlinge und ihre Bekämpfung und Gartenpflege,Bewässung mit innovativen Bewässerungsprodukten. Wir bieten Ihnen eine umfassende Beratung und Planung Ihrer Gartenbewässerung

Our maintenance teams will look after the wellbeing of your plants and trees, keeping your garden clean and pleasant.

Our services comprise the fertilization of the lawn and flower beds, the use of phytosanitary products when needed, pruning shrubs, edges and trees, keeping always in mind the customer’s preferences.

The irrigation system control it is very important to us, and any malfunction it is immediately reported internally so it can be evaluated and the customer contacted. Any irrigation system repair will be carry out by our landscaping department.

Our maintenance customers can have special conditions when purchasing plants at our garden centre.

ECOSSISTEMAS Garden is proud on the trust relation established with its customers.

Our garden Centre can work as truly source of inspiration to our customers who want to build or renew their garden.

We develop the project taking into consideration the needs and preferences of our customers. The final project will match your preferences and needs with our ideas, experience and know-how.

An easy garden or an ambitious project, we have the skills and capabilities to modulate the land, build stone walls, water features, stepping stones paths and sitting areas, pergolas and trellis, natural or artificial lawns, orchards and vegetable beds, and much more.

Located at the Nacional Road 125 at Odiáxere – Lagos, we have around 8 ha where you can find a wide variety of plants, shrubs and trees, including fruit trees, cactus, succulents and water plants.

On a pleasant environment, you can relax and walk around while you appreciate our plant collection. Our staff will be available to inform you about the characteristics of each specimen and advice you on the best choice regarding where to plant.

In addition to the plants and trees, you will find terracotta,ciment, glazed or plastic pots and planters, as well as furniture for your balcony or garden, and other elements and accessories which will contribute to increase joy at your gardem.

Possuímos uma equipa profissional e multidisciplinar, constiuída por arquitectos paisagistas, engenheiros agrónomos, civis e jardineiros. Propomos um acompanhamento atento e personalizado do seu jardim. Temos uma experiência comprovada pelos 26 anos de actividade em todo o país.

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Pode ser encontrado na Ásia de monções (Vietnã, Camboja, Japão), utiliza poucas técnicas de produção (mão de obra abundante e barata), cultivo em pequenas e médias propriedades; poli cultura voltada ao mercado interno. 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Propomos um acompanhamento atento e personalizado do seu jardim. Temos uma experiência comprovada pelos 17 anos de actividade em todo o país.Flor,Flores,Floristas,Ramos,Bouquets,Fleur,Flower,Noiva,Noivas,Casamento,Entregas,Entrega ,Domicílio,Planta,Plantas,Jardim,Jardins,Garden,Liz,Escola,Cursos,Arte floral,Formação,Profissionais,Floral,Arranjo,Jardinagem,Manutenção,Interior ,Exterior,Decoração,Decorações,Ornamentais,Funeral,Coroa,Palma,Fúnebre,Sentimentos,Pêsames,Condolências,Vaso,Vasos,Floreiras,Floreira,Cachepot,Jarra,Rosa,Rosas,Gerbera,Margarida,Rose,Green,Artificiais,Naturais,Bonsais,Ofertas,Aniversário,Presentes,Nascimento,Felicidades,Kamasutra,Amor,Lingerie,Peluches,Ficus,Dracaena,Palmeiras,Relva,Arbustos, ="viveiro, rosmaninho, alfazema, alecrim, salvia, plantas tolerantes à seca, santolina, Lavandula angustifolia, Lavandula stoechas, Rosmarinus, Sedum,Viveiro dedicado à produção de plantas mediterrânicas, principalmente cultivares de alfazema e rosmaninho, mas também outras plantas resistentes à seca, garden center, landscaping, maintenance, irrigation, Portugal, Algarve, landscape, landscape design, garden design, plants disease, plant treatment, plant protection, palms, irrigation system portugal, landscaper, treatment of plants disease, plants, landscape, nursery, hard landscaping, landscape architecture, mediterenean, indoor plants, koi, automatic irrigation system, watergardening, waterplants, agriculture, compost, pinebark, fertilizer, garden, outdoor furniture, landscaping, garden and landscape design, irrigation and maintenance of gardens. Our garden center offers native and imported plants, trees, water plants, palms and outdoor furniture,Gartencenter an der Algarve mit großer Auswahl an Pflanzen, Bäume, Wasserpflanzen und Palmen. Wir bieten Garten Design, Gartengestaltung, Gartenbau, Pflanzenschutz, Gartenpflege und Bewässerung, Algarve, Gartengestaltung, Algarve, Bewässerung, Gartenbau, Gartenpflege, Garten Design, Garten Center, Gartenmöbel, Palmen, Bäume, Pflanzen, Zimmerpflanzen, Gärtnerei, Gartenanlage, Baumschule, Bewässerungssystem, Bewässerungssysteme, Landschaftsgestaltung, Wasserpflanzen, Landschaftsarchitektur, Schädlingsbekämpfung, Garten-Center, Schädlinge und Ihre Bekämpfung, Obstbäume, Ziergarten, Portugal, Pflanzenvermietung, Kompost, , Gartencenter mit eigener Baumschule an der Algarve mit der größten Auswahl an Pflanzen, Bäume, Wasserpflanzen und Palmen. Wir bieten Garten Design, Gartengestaltung, Gartenbau, Gartenpflege und Bewässerung,Unsere Gärtner und unser Landschaftsarchitekt haben langjährige Erfahrung auf den Gebieten Gartenbau,  Garten Design, Gartendesign, Gartenplanung, Gartengestaltung, Landschaftsplanung, Landschaftsarchitektur , Pflanzenschutz, Schädlingsbekämpfung, Palmen Schädlinge und ihre Bekämpfung und Gartenpflege,Bewässung mit innovativen Bewässerungsprodukten. Wir bieten Ihnen eine umfassende Beratung und Planung Ihrer Gartenbewässerung. Bewässerung ihres Garten mit moderner Beregnungstechnik, Beregnungsanlagen, Bewässerungsanlagen, Gartenberegnung, Gartenbewässerung, Serviços de Jardinagem: Desenho, construção e manutenção de jardins e espaços verdes, paisagismo: modelação do terreno, preparação do solo, Construção de muros de pedra e paredes de retenção, plantação de plantas , Instalação  sistemas de rega e de drenagem. Serviços em Arquitectura Paisagista,Centro de Jardinagem: Fornecimento de árvores, arbustos, flores e palmeiras. Fornecimento de terras, turfas, casca de pinheiro e adubos orgânicos. Mobiliário de Jardim,Manutenção de jardins: Corte e tratamento de relvados. Plantação de arbustos, flores e árvores. Modificação estéticas de áreas verdes. Manutenção de sistema de rega,We have many experience in garden  and  landscape design , landscaping and   landscape architecture, We also do stonewalls and natural swimming pools and swiming ponds,garden_center,Garden center,offers the wildest range of native and imported outdoor and indoor plants, trees, waterplants, shrubs and palms. We have our own nursery to provide you with the best quality,We offer service,garden maintenance,weekly and seasonable. We do a professional garden cleaning or renovation  for any small or large job,install automatic watering systems for garden, lawn and landscape ,irrigation,We are especialist in plant protection, treatment of plant diseases and, of course,  treatment of the palm disease,Serviços de Jardinagem: Desenho, construção e manutenção de jardins e espaços verdes, paisagismo: modelação do terreno, preparação do solo, Construção de muros de pedra e paredes de retenção, plantação de plantas , Instalação  sistemas de rega e de drenagem. Serviços em Arquitectura Paisagista,Centro de Jardinagem: Fornecimento de árvores, arbustos, flores e palmeiras. Fornecimento de terras, turfas, casca de pinheiro e adubos orgânicos. Mobiliário de Jardim,Manutenção de jardins: Corte e tratamento de relvados. Plantação de arbustos, flores e árvores. Modificação estéticas de áreas verdes. 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Vote for Landmark Designation Secures Battelle Memorial Institute's Future

Photo courtesy Richard Haag

On November 6, 2013 the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board unanimously approved listing of the Battelle Memorial Institute campus as a Seattle Landmark.

The designation provides formal recognition of the historic and regional significance of the Modernist campus, whose design was created by landscape architect Richard Haag along with architect Bill Bain, Jr. of NBBJ beginning in 1964. It is one of Haag’s most significant projects and an example of his early work with environmentally sensitive design. The campus was listed on TCLF’s at-risk Landslide list in April 2013 in response to concerns about early-stage development plans. The listing ensures that any pursuant development plans will need to be reviewed by the Landmarks Preservation Board, and that all proposed changes must meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.

Daily Dream Home: Sense House

by Ada Teicu in House

Searching for a way to enjoy a constant sensory experience within their living environment, the inhabitants of this dream home in Tokyo, Japan asked Japanese architect Kazutoshi Imanaga to design a home that would suit their needs and wishes. This is how the Sense House was built – a unique home unveiling its naturally lit spaces over a surface of 3,660 square feet.

Opening the living experience to a world of the senses by employing architectural solutions, the architect created a soothing environment, where children laughing in swings by the pool can be seen and heard from the living room. The courtyard is visually interconnected with the interiors through dark-framed glass walls and sliding doors. The open floor plan downstairs incorporates the living, dining, kitchen, study space and play area. By placing furniture and a fireplace as room separators, the architect created an intimate yet spacious multipurpose space. An indoor pool – easy to open to the outside – ensures the family gets plenty of exercise.

Sleek modern architectural elements like the staircase or glass bridge crossing the double-height living area accentuate the pleasure of the visual senses, the garden offers the smell of freshly cut grass and the feel of the breeze and warm sunshine, while the water features create a natural sound background that completes the serene atmosphere.

This is what luxury is all about – creating a sensory experience, don’t you think?

Garden and landscaping

Word “Home” is the second name of joy ,comfort and relaxation from bitter life outside. No matter how is your home…its big or small ….congested or wide .A home have all the comforts which is desired by every human after a hectic day of work. Like any other institution ,home also owns some departments.

Each “Department” of home performs any specific task to ease its residents. Kitchen supplies you food. Bedrooms give a warm lap to sleep in. TV lounge acts as an entertainment corner .In the same way we take Garden as the utmost source of observing nature .A Garden have trees ,plants ,pots and grass in common.

Some people who love plants company decorate their garden with numerous types of flowers and plants. These plants are the perfect designs of nature. A garden in a home makes its attractive and close to nature where you can walk naked feet and breath like the time you breath first. Gardens add beauty and life to the home. Its said by a philosopher that a Home with out garden is like a box with living dolls in it.

A garden in a home requires a little attention but give more benefit. If you are interested in having a garden in your home then you can use you own ideas but for more expertise its recommended to hire a gardener. you can plant everything from trees to vegetables in your garden.

You can renovate it by putting a carpet of green grass. With utilizing you artistic sense you can draw long strips of any plant over walls.

Your Garden can be more beautiful and lively if you place some water pots in Garden for the birds so that they can visit your garden and enhance the intense sign of life. Some pets like turtles ,pigeons can also be kept in Garden to give it a wild deep forest look.

For having a beautiful garden keep the following tips in mind:

1. Choose those plants which are according to your city’s weather like you can plant apple trees in Quetta with very ease but you cant plant mango plant in your garden since its suitable for sindh and any other warm place.
2. Make the arrangement of garden in such a way where you can walk ,see and look after every corner of it.
3. Dont forget to put chemical or natural fertilizers as needed .So,that they can enhance the plant growth.
4. Buy some beautiful painted pots to place it in your garden.
5. Supply sufficient water especially in summers so that all your efforts should not go in vein.

Gardens add life to your home…..Put Life ……Make Garden…!

Arranjos exteriores ,all aspectos of landscaping service

The subtle melodious tunes of wind chimes, when it dangles sweetly with slightest breeze, set an ambiance of soothing tranquility throughout our natural environment. Be it the front porch, balcony, backyard or in bedroom window, Wind chimes brings about an enchanting ambiance, when its soft and sweet music touches our ears, envelops our soul within its gentle musical feel.

Wind chimes‘ extremely calming notes have an amazing power to take us on to a spiritual journey, In ancient China, wind chimes were believed to carry good health, fortune and prosperity through the beautiful tunes. Besides wind chimes were used in temples and spiritual ceremonies, even today in India, wind chimes are found in temples and religious places.

The soft harmonious hymns also contain healing effects. For years, cultures from various civilizations have utilized the benefits of wind chimes to restore and calm the spirit. Its soothing tunes help to calm the mind while relieving stress.

For relaxing and soothing purpose, hang wind chimes in your garden, where your eyes can enjoy the fragile beauty of nature and your ears can indulge into a musical pleasure.

If you want to create soft and romantic atmosphere, hang wind chimes in your bedroom window, where you can enjoy a soft and caring night while talking to your man and listening to the gentlest music as you drift off to sleep.

These unforgettable melodies bring with them some precious memories of older days, melodies that makes you feel nostalgic, that makes you lost into the beauty of childhood days. Words may die, but melodies are eternal, and so is their effect, everlasting and timeless. Perk up your life with the music of these eternal melodies and capture the beauty of each and every moment within your heart.

Algarve garden companys

It is believed that growing home garden is as important as the interior of your home. It not only increases the outlook of your house but is also good for your soul. A well maintained home garden planted with flowers and beautiful outdoor boosts the exterior of your home and refreshes your mind in a subliminal way. Planting vegetables and fruits cuts the food spending and budget. Moreover they are more nutritious and energizing as well. Home garden tips will help you in maintaining your home garden and the do’s and don’ts will guide you in increasing the worth of your home.

While decorating your home garden play with colors, style and let your personality speak in the outlook of your home and home garden. Make it fun and involve your spouse, kids and other family members in this process.

If you are deciding the different elements that you want your home garden to possess, then you need to decide and then work on the basic outlines of home garden. You need to focus on the points that whether you want a small home garden or a large one. Once you decide these lines then it would make things easier for you.

Collaborate all the home garden decor ideas and then work on it. This would form the right structure for your lawn and this would definitely make it more satisfying as well. For example you need to ponder and work on the points that whether you want an arrangement of grassy land or shrubs? If you have a larger area then go for making a pond, pool or fountain area in your home garden. Mosses or low growing flowers along with ponds add a lot of beauty. These things add to the shape of the garden and they also give the home garden a different and unique look on the whole.

Home garden fencing is also a very good option if you like voids. A group flowers along the corners of your lawn or single tree along with hanging branches looks extremely beautiful.

Also plant some crowd plants to cover your large area and they will also give a colorful affect to your home garden. Roses, tulips and daises are the best!!

You can also use home garden gnomes for your home garden as there is a vast range of garden gnomes and they are vibrant and mysterious as well, they will give a cute look and children will also love them.

Use some hangings in the corners of your garden like wind chimes and hanging gnomes.

All these tips will help you in designing the home garden in an exquisite way. All you need to do is to be confident about what things you want to experiment with and how want to go about it. Good luck!!

Ocupação hoteleira em crescimento no Alentejo

Ocupação hoteleira em crescimento no Alentejo

A ocupação hoteleira no Alentejo registou um acréscimo em 2009, sobretudo pelo aumento de dormidas de turistas portugueses, e as empresas do sector têm perspectivas de atingir este ano ainda melhores resultados. Em declarações à agência Lusa, o director do Évora Hotel, Miguel Mello Breyner, disse que naquela unidade a taxa de ocupação aumentou 3% em 2009, e o preço médio/quarto cresceu também 5%, face a 2008.

«Houve um aumento de clientes portugueses. Registámos um crescimento no turismo de lazer e família, mas uma ligeira quebra no segmento de empresas», observou.

 

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Envolvida na mais verde paisagem, com o azul do mar e do céu num bailado constante fomos encontrar aquela que é a ilha mais ocidental da Europa, no meio do Oceano Atlântico. Falamos da ilha das Flores, uma das nove pertencentes ao Arquipélago dos Açores, onde a Natureza continua a ser rainha.

Envolvida na mais verde paisagem, com o azul do mar e do céu num bailado constante fomos encontrar aquela que é a ilha mais ocidental da Europa, no meio do Oceano Atlântico. Falamos da ilha das Flores, uma das nove pertencentes ao Arquipélago dos Açores, onde a Natureza continua a ser rainha.

Os 143,11 quilómetros quadrados de superfície que a compõem estão repletos de surpresas para quem a visita e, ao virar de cada curva, um novo cenário se nos depara com uma nova luz, cores e sons únicos.

Vizinha da ilha do Corvo - que se avista na perfeição, caso o tempo o permita - as Flores são ideais para os amantes da Natureza, dos longos caminhos pedestres, da observação das aves ou apenas das ondas do mar. Praias, piscinas naturais e lagoas são constantes por ali e convidam ao mergulho e ao descanso.

Apesar de se desconhecer ao certo em que data terá sido descoberta, os historiadores acreditam que esta terá sido povoada entre 1450 e 1452 pelo navegador Diogo Teive. No entanto, o seu isolamento levou ao abandono da mesma e só em 1504 terá assistido ao seu povoamento definitivo com gentes provenientes das ilhas da Terceira e Madeira e alguns continentais.

Mas voltemos ao presente, já que a ilha, que durante anos viveu mais isolada, começa agora a ganhar mais vida, principalmente com a abertura recente do Hotel das Flores, uma unidade hoteleira de quatro estrelas cuja exploração está a cargo da Inatel e que desde os finais de Agosto garante à ilha um serviço que há muito se esperava.

Para Morais Lopes, director daquele hotel cujo investimento rondou os cinco milhões de euros, a ocupação tem sido uma agradável surpresa e o feedack dos turistas, essencialmente alemães, franceses e italianos "é muito positivo e já temos muitas reservas para o ano que se avizinha".

Com 26 quartos, um quarto para pessoas com deficiências motoras e uma suite, o Hotel das Flores, em Santa Cruz das Flores, para além da vista com o Corvo no horizonte, disponibiliza um restaurante, bar, ginásio, piscina exterior, room service, entre outros serviços.

Para Morais Lopes a estadia de uma semana é o ideal para quem procura as Flores e actividades é coisa que não falta por aqui.

Senão veja-se...

Percursos Pedestres

Visitar a ilha através dos percursos pedestres existentes é talvez a melhor opção. Comecemos pelo mais fácil. São quatro quilómetros para fazer em duas horas no percurso Fajã de Lopo Vaz. O início e o fim são no Miradouro da Fajã de Lopo Vaz e progride por uma descida em que o trilho alterna entre terra batida, calçada e degraus em pedra. A exploração da Fajã fica ao critério de cada um dos visitantes, que podem encontrar uma fonte com água potável, uma praia, pequenos terrenos agrícolas e cabras selvagens.

Passando para o percurso seguinte, este com sete quilómetros e uma caminhada de três horas, o seu início dá-se no Miradouro das Lagoas, terminando na Poça do Bacalhau. Pelo caminho é possível ver-se a Caldeira Seca, a Fajã Grande e seguir junto à Ribeira das Casas até à Poça do Bacalhau.

E se percorrer trilhos bem juntinho à Natureza é já razão mais do que suficiente para visitar as Flores, encontrar uma aldeia recuperada para turismo é no mínimo tentador. Para lá do aeroporto das Flores, a oeste da ilha, na freguesia da Fajã Grande fomos encontrar a Aldeia da Cuada. Um pequeno planalto sobranceiro à foz da Ribeira Grande. Ficar nas pequenas e grandes casas de pedra que se espalham pela aldeia, conservando mobiliário e objectos de outrora, transporta-nos a tempos idos. Equipadas com cozinhas e casa de banho, além de amplos quartos, as 16 moradias da Aldeia da Cuada respeitam todas as regras de segurança. Se é fã de turismo da aldeia, apresse-se a fazer a reserva. É que este é um empreendimento muito procurado, principalmente nos meses de Verão. Para quem quiser ficar a conhecer mais, nada melhor do que visitar o site www.aldeiadacuada.com.

Fazer rafting ou um passeio marítimo para ficar a descobrir as inúmeras grutas que circundam a ilha e que já foram esconderijos de piratas podem ser programas alternativos.

A antiga fábrica da baleia, em Santa Cruz das Flores, deu agora lugar a um Centro de Interpretação da ilha. Ao longo de várias salas, o visitante é convidado a conhecer de perto a génese da ilha, os animais terrestres e aquáticos que a compõem e o fundo do Oceano Atlântico. Pelo meio ouvem-se os cagarros, aves muito observadas na zona e que são agora espécie protegida.

Já falámos de passeio, já arranjámos estadia, está na hora de comermos qualquer coisa. A oferta não é muita, mas nós recomendamos um restaurante na Fajãzinha, o Pôr-do-Sol.

Com decoração rústica, o restaurante faz-nos sentir em casa. Albacora no forno com batata-doce, Carne assada com castanhas ou uma Feijoada Tradicional com inhame faziam parte do menu quando por lá passámos. A Delícia de Amoras ou o Pudim de Côco fechavam com chave de ouro uma ementa onde não faltaram os queijos regionais, o pão de milho e os torresminhos, tudo regado com vinho Terras de Lava.

A good example would be in the use of landscaping rocks and accent boulders. If you've ever seen a landscape design that had one large white round boulder here and another large red square granite boulder there and so on, then you've seen that unity wasn't created by this particular element.

A good example would be in the use of landscaping rocks and accent boulders. If you've ever seen a landscape design that had one large white round boulder here and another large red square granite boulder there and so on, then you've seen that unity wasn't created by this particular element.

This is just one example but the principle applies to all other elements such as groups of plants and materials.

A simple way to create unity in your landscape is by creating themes. And one of the simplest ways to create themes is by using a little garden decor. Creating a theme garden is easier when it's related to something you're interested in or have a passion for.

If you're into butterflies for instance, you could create a theme using plants that attract butterflies as well as using statues, ornaments, and other decor that are related to butterflies.

Unity should be expressed through at least one element in your landscape and preferably more. Using elements to express a main idea through consistent style and a specific theme is what creates harmony.

•Simplicity is actually one of the principles in design and art. It's one of the best guidelines you can follow as a beginner or do it yourselfer. Just keep things simple to begin with. You can do more later.

Simplicity in planting, for instance, would be to pick two or three colors and repeat them throughout the garden or landscape. Keeping decor to a minimum and within a specific theme as well as keeping hardscapes such as boulders consistent is also practicing simplicity.

•Balance in design is just as the word implies. A sense of equality. There are basically two types of balance in landscape design. Symmetrical and Asymmetrical.

Symmetrical balance is where there are more or less equally spaced matching elements of the garden design. With a garden equally divided, both sides could share all or part of the same shape, form, plant height, plant groupings, colors, bed shapes, theme, etc.

You may remember creating something like this when you were a kid in art class at school. Where you take a piece of paper, splash paint on it, fold it in half, unfold it, and then it magically creates an interesting symmetrical design. So symmetrical balance or design is somewhat of a mirror image or reflection.

Asymmetrical balance on the other hand is one of the principles of landscape design that's a little more complex. While textures, forms, colors, etc. may remain constant to create some unity, shapes and hardscapes may be more random. This form of balance often has separate or different themes with each having an equal but different type of attraction.

Asymmetrical may be better understood as actually being unbalanced, abstract, or free form while still creating unity and balance through the repetition of some elements.

A good example of this would be where bed shapes or paths differ on both sides of the landscape dividing line while still sharing some of the same elements and plants. One side could be curved with a sense of flow while the other side is straight, direct, hard, and completely opposite. Again, unity and balance will be created through other elements.

Contrast can be very interesting and this type of form can create a neat contrast. Flowing lines are pleasing to the eye but the bold contrast of a curve combined with a straight line can be very interesting.

Asymmetrical balance isn't dependant on the shape of your garden. It can be but generally it's not.

An example might be where one side of the garden is mostly large shade trees while the other side is predominately a lower growing flower garden or even a mix of both examples. Like I stated earlier, the landscaping can be abstract while still maintaining unity through other elements such as rocks, plants, and decor.

Contrast and harmony can also be achieved using plants. Fine foliage verses coarser foliage, round leaves verses spiked leaves as well as color compliments and contrasts.

Plant height, color, and texture may be varied from one area to the next but each area should stay consistent within its own theme.

You'll hear me talk about "themes" a lot. Many successful do-it-yourself designs follow a basic theme to achieve most of the principles of landscape design described on this page. The proper use of plants (see plant selection)or garden decor or a mix of both is a simple way to achieve themes.

•Color adds the dimension of real life and interest to the landscape. Bright colors like reds, yellows and oranges seem to advance toward you and can actually make an object seem closer to you. Cool colors like greens, blues, and pastels seem to move away from you and can make an object seem farther from you.

Grays, blacks, and whites are considered neutral colors and are best used in the background with bright colors in the foreground. However, to increase depth in a landscape, you can use dark and coarse textured plants in the foreground and use fine textured and light colored plants in the background.

Colors can also be used to direct your attention to a specific area of the garden. A bright display among cooler colors would naturally catch the eye.

•Natural transition can be applied to avoid radical or abrupt changes in your landscape design. Transition is basically gradual change. It can best be illustrated in terms of plant height or color but can also be applied to all elements in the landscape including but not limited to textures, foliage shape or size, and the size and shape of different elements. In other words, transition can be achieved by the gradual, ascending or descending, arrangement of different elements with varying textures, forms, colors, or sizes.

An example of a good transition would be a stair step effect from large trees to medium trees to shrubs to bedding plants. This example is where a little knowledge of proper plant selection would come in handy. Click here for choosing the right plant selection .

Transition is one of the principles of landscape design that can be used to "create illusions" in the landscape. For example a transition from taller to shorter plants can give a sense of depth and distance (like in a painting), making the garden seem larger than it really is. A transition from shorter to taller plants could be used to frame a focal point to make it stand out and seem closer than it really is.

•Line is of the more structural principles of landscape design. It can mostly be related to the way beds, walkways, and entryways move and flow.

Straight lines are forceful and direct while curvy lines have a more natural, gentle, flowing effect.

•Proportion simply refers to the size of elements in relation to each other. Of all the principles of landscape design, this one is quite obvious but still requires a little thought and planning. Most of the elements in landscape design can be intentionally planned to meet the proper proportions.

For instance if you are creating a small courtyard garden, an enormous seven foot garden statue placed in the center would be way out of proportion and a little tacky to say the least. Or a small four foot waterfall and pond placed in the center of a large open yard would get lost in the expanse.

Don't misunderstand this to mean that if you have a large yard you can't have smaller features or garden decor. Proportion is relative and elements can be scaled to fit by creating different rooms in the garden. The goal is to create a pleasing relationship among the three dimensions of length, breadth, and depth or height.

A small water feature can be proportionate if placed in a corner or on the edge of a large area and becomes a focal point of the larger area while creating its own distinct atmosphere. An entire room, sitting area, or theme can be created around it. Other rooms and themes can be created as well. See small gardens for ideas on creating rooms and creating illusions.

Also, special consideration and study should be given to proper plant selection to avoid using plants that are out of proportion.

•Repetition is directly related to unity. Its good to have a variety of elements and forms in the garden but repeating these elements gives variety expression.

Unity is achieved by repeating objects or elements that are alike. Too many unrelated objects can make the garden look cluttered and unplanned.

There's a fine line here. It's possible that too much of one element can make a garden or landscape feel uninteresting, boring and monotonous.

However, unity can still be created by using several different elements repeatedly. This in turn keeps the garden interesting.