Woody's Custom Landscaping

Current Landscaping Reviews Vancouver WA

Great patio and new backyard install‎‎
By Mike – Apr 22, 2010
We originally met with Woody in 2009. We wanted a new patio and backyard landscape and he recommended we meet and consult with a landscape designer, which we did. After receiving the plan we held off on the new patio and yard until this April when Woody and his team came and did a great job for us. They were prompt, friendly and did an excellent job. We highly recommend Woody’s Custom Landscaping.‎

Excellent stone work and landscaping‎‎
By Gary – Mar 12, 2010
We started with a vision and Woody’s workers made it a reality. Many positives with this association: able to change plans as the work progressed, dependable on-time, polite, capable crew, helped us with knowledgeable suggestions, while taking our input. Project required much more than we could anticipate and Woody guided us through to completion. We would highly recommend.‎

We aim to please in all applications of our landscaping.
Services are:
landscape design services
Patios (interlocking concrete pavers, flagstone and brick).
Retaining walls all types
Water features. You name it we have built it.
Low voltage lighting incandescent and led
planting
irrigation low volume Rainbird and drip
custom masonry
sod
drainage
Serving Vancouver and Portland with certified award winning professionals.

Hardscaping “The Bones To Great Landscaping”

Hardscape: the manmade part of the grounds surrounding a building, as paved areas or statues.
Hardscape: structures (as fountains, benches, or gazebos) that are incorporated into a landscape
The photo below includes masonry and paver work done in Vancouver WA.

Hardscape, or “hardscaping” consists of the inanimate elements of landscaping, especially any masonry work or woodwork. For instance, stone walls, concrete or brick patios, tile paths, wooden decks and wooden arbors would all be considered part of the hardscape. But by extension, anything used in landscaping that is not part of the softscape can be considered a hardscape element, including home accents such as water fountains and, yes, even pink flamingoes!
Below is a photo of retaining walls in a back yard in Vancouver WA.

Hardscape, Or Hard Landscape, Forms The “bones” of a garden. It is comprised of permanent, physical structures, whether they be the old stone walls, terraces and pathways, water features and or woodwork.
Hardscape: The part of a building’s grounds consisting of structures, such as patios, retaining walls, and walkways, made with hard materials.
Hardscaping:The installation of non-plant features in the landscape. These include features such as: outdoor rooms, walls, walks, driveways, curbs, patios, pools, tennis courts, etc.
The video below shows the stages to installing a outdoor room.

So we all know what hardscaping is right?
It’s also the bones to great landscaping.
At Woody’s Custom Landscaping, Inc., we have been known for our superior hardscaping skills even before it became the noun it is today.
Serving Vancouver Washington and Portland Oregon as a proud green industry landscape contractor.

Another Perfect Landscaping Review Vancouver Washington

Woody,
Our experience with Woody’s Custom Landscaping in giving our front yard a much need make-over was a pleasure, start to finish. I instinctively know that Woody would do a good job with project because he speaks “gardenese,” the language of someone who is knowledgeable of and loves gardening. He understood our needs and the result is beautiful. All the members of the landscaping team obviously enjoy what they are doing and are knowledgeable as well. Thank you

Woody,
Thank you so much for the great make-over of our front yard this spring. The lawn is beautiful and all the new plants and tranplants seem to be doing well. I had trouble with one of the rhodies falling over due to all the wind we had, but I think it will survive now that I got it staked well. The red leaf maple tree has leafed out and looks really nice. We’re really happy with the result and have received many compliments.
Sincerely,
Norma
Thanks
If you are wondering who to install your Vancouver WA landscape project you may just want to give Woody a call at 360-687-1882.
The video below is Normas front yard make-over from start to finish.

So You Need a New Landscape

Tired of the mud and dust? Sick of the moss and weeds? Is that little concrete pad off your back door just not cutting it? Do you want some interest and excitement to be part of your back yard?
The first place to start is with some sort of a plan. Does this mean you’ve have to hire a landscape designer? Not necessarily, but it is probably a good starting point. If you have a good understanding of plant material and how it matures and looks, then you can probably make your own plant list. Do you want a irrigation system? How much patio space would fit you outdoor needs? Do you understand all the various materials that can be used for patios, retaining walls, water features and lighting? If you feel unsure, a landscape designer is probably a good idea. They can figure out with your help, what are your landscape needs. They will help with a landscape budget, making choices for patios, retaining walls and all hardscaping a simpler process to come up with a final decision for your landscape.

The next question is. Do you need a landscape contractor? How do you choose one? First off, if it looks like to much hard work for you it probably is. If however, you must watch every penny, you may want to consider doing it yourself. I like to point out to people that their time is worth money. Do you take enough pleasure in the installation process to spend 150 man hours or more to install your own landscape? If so,knock yourself out. Most home owners do not know all the techniques, to install a quality and professional landscape. That is why landscape contractors are in business.
So, how do you choose a good, reputable service oriented landscape contractor? Do some research. Look at their web site. Does the web site show photos of their work? Do they have references available? Once you choose three landscape contractors and hopefully no more, schedule an appointment. Did they arrive on time? What was your first impression? Did he or she listen to what you wanted done? Are they licensed, insured and bonded? Make sure, that in fact they are? Ask to see some proof. If your your ending impression of them was not good then don’t use their quote. You are your own best judge. Please make sure that the bid is apples to apples. That is one reason a landscape plan really helps in keeping all the landscape contractors bidding on the same items.

Patios: Where to Go When Your Outside

Patios are where most of us go when enjoying that special moment outside. Most patios are concrete poured slabs. This is not bad in itself, but there are alternatives to concrete.
Paver patios are a centuries old patio style. Now we call them interlocking concrete pavers. A thousand years ago they used real stone, they still do but costs leave out flagstone patios for many of us.
Making sure all paver work is installed by certified people is high on my list of importance. I’ve seen many disasters in other people installing a paver patio or paver driveway. There is a right way and a wrong way to install. On the most part however paver installation is very easy if you follow the proper steps.
1. Excavate soil 7-8″ below finish grade. ( The soil you excavate has to go somewhere. Ask questions like. Can I use in the landscape? Do I haul it away? Does a neighbor want it? For a typical 300′
patio you can count of removing a little over 6 yards or 50-60 full wheelbarrows of soil.
2.Install fabric cloth over the excavated area. This insures no merging of soil with the 3/4″ minus gravel you install next.
3. Install 4″ compacted 3/4″ minus gravel for patios and 6″ for driveways and spa areas. Compact in 2″ lifts. Make sure you consider drainage of approx. 2″ per 8′, except for spas.
4. Screed with 1″ concrete sand not mason sand. Best to use a 1″ galvanized pipes and make sure you consider drainage.
5. Start installing pavers
6. Secure edges with a product like snap edge with spikes 1-2′ on center.
This is a pretty simplistic overview of paver installation, but you can get the major idea.
Our interlocking concrete paver installers are certified with ICPI.
Our retaining wall installers are certified with NCMA.
Serving the Portland Vancouver area with award winning, certified landscaping service.

Landscape Design To Completion Brought To You By Mindglo Via Woody’s Custom Landscaping

Plan a beautiful and functional outdoor living space with a multi-award winning landscaping contractor James “Woody” Woodhead. Learn about style, color, balance, function and design philosophy. Also, the how-to of considering your surroundings, making a budget, and installing irrigation and water features. You will leave this class empowered with all you need to complete your landscaping project.
Clases will be Tuesdays April 13, 20 and the 27th from 7-9 PM
Fee $89.00
Location Whole Foods Market in Portland 15th and Fremont.
Sign up at http://www.mindglo.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MindGlo
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MindGlo
Register today!:

Elements of Landscape Design

This reference guide to the elements of Design was thought up by Brigitt Stevenson with Design For All Seasons.
If all these points are addressed when drawing up a landscape design on paper or in your head, the end result will make you happy.
Design for all Seasons ELEMENTS OF DESIGN

• always call before you dig
• Budget???
• good SOIL like amendments/good drainage… See More
• boundaries of garden
• focal points/scale/formal/informal
• plan for ALL seasons
• color/texture
• groundcovers ——–plants/mulches/pebbles
• hardscaping—–rockery/fencing/walls
• softscaping—- plant material
• WATER, very important
• fertilize
• accessories—- furniture/obelisks/sundial/birdbath/rocks
• lighting
• maintenance and regular up keep

Outdoor Lighting Portland Oregon

To enjoy your landscape during the day is one thing. To enjoy it a night is quite another. Most people still install incandescent low voltage lighting. Why not get on board with led lighting?
Led lights use from 3-7 watts of power each light. Some incandescent bulbs use 20-50 watts. Incandescent bulbs can have a good life span, lets say two years. Led lights last up to 17 years.
Two years ago we installed 145 led lights on a 1000 watt transformer. With incandescent low voltage lighting this probably would of been 3-1000 watt transformers. Looks to me like there is transformer cost savings as well as 2/3 less energy being used to brightly light up that landscaping. Led lighting is the sustainable way to light up your landscaping. It uses less energy. It requires less maintenance in bulb replacement and it is easier to install since wattage drop is not such a huge issue.
Led just made your landscape lighting project in Portland Oregon, cheaper, a little greener and more sustainable.
Give Woody a call at 360-687-1882

Outdoor Rooms Are a Must Have If You Live Outside In Good Weather

Most of us love the outside, weather permitting. An outdoor room can be a simple patio that allows the family in the home to enjoy the great outdoors. Many outdoor rooms are covered so that you can go outside any time of the year. Each outdoor room has it’s own personality. Some people want a full pledged outdoor kitchen, always cooking in one spot. Others want their BBQ to be portable. Some don’t care about the BBQ but want a water feature of some sort like the picture above. The point is anything goes. It is for your enjoyment. I ask my clients to make a list of all their desires, wants and concerns.

On that list clients should also include answers to questions like if they entertain outside? Big parties? Small gatherings? Do you cook? Would you like some mood lighting with low voltage lights? Do you want a spa installed? How about a water feature? The point is the outdoor room is a extension of your home. It should be a extension of you.

Landscaping is not just installing a lawn and irrigation anymore. Make sure your landscaper knows all the aspects of outdoor rooms. Are they qualified? Are they certified? What kind of projects have they done in the past that are similar?
Our staff at Woody’s Custom Landscaping are award winning, certified professionals who want you to have thebest value for your money spent.

Spring Landscaping Around Vancouver Washington

What is beyond the wood door? Could it be the landscape you always wanted? Is spring giving you the urge to finally get the landscape of your dreams? Just give Woody a call and see how easy it is to get a precise estimate and a professional landscaping team working for you.

Our services include:
Landscape Industry certified employees.
Award winning service every job.
Paver, flagstone and brick patios.
Outdoor rooms.
Landscape design
Irrigation
Planting
Retaining walls
Water Features including: ponds, bubblers, pondless waterfalls and reflection pools
Front and back yard renovation.