Calgary Landscaping and Hardscaping Projects
Below are a few of our many projects. In each our featured projects, learn a little more about our process, attention to details, and sample project scopes.
What Our Clients Say…
“I enlisted the help of Urban Oasis after I saw the results of a neighbor’s yard a few door down. Mike was quick to set up our first meeting to review yard and deck work, and a few weeks later got to work on the landscaping. Urban Oasis started on time and ended on budget. The competitive advantage this company brings is in their dedication to do the job right and to pay attention to the details. They are also very clean – tools were removed from the job site every day, construction materials were neatly stacked and driveway/walkway hosed-down to remove any dirt or mud. It was always safe to walk around at the end of the day, or to let my dog roam the yard. And in the end, I loved the results! I highly recommend Urban Oasis…”
Grace C. – Calgary, Alberta
“Renovations are always challenging but this went quite smoothly and I am very pleased with the result. Mike is plain spoken, honest and easy to work with. He understood my vision of what I wanted in my yard and had wonderful creative solutions to bring it to life. They put up with my irritable neighbors and my few small project changes without batting an eye. Costs were laid out clearly and easy to understand. The project came in slightly over budget due to some changes that I initiated, and some unforeseen challenges, but extra costs were more than fair. I would recommend Urban Oasis Developments highly”
Elizabeth W. – Calgary, Alberta
“I am thrilled to have a beautiful backyard to enjoy this summer thanks to Urban Oasis. Mike was a pleasure to deal with and his crew did an amazing job on our yard. They were very efficient and made sure things were done right. I also was impressed at how they tidied up at the end of each day before leaving. I would not hesitate to recommend Mike and his crew to anyone looking to do any landscaping projects.”
from Google Reviews – Calgary, Alberta
Calgary Landscaping and Landscape Design – what is it?
The eastern part of Calgary experiences a humid continental climate, while the western part of the city experiences a subarctic climate as a result of the increased elevation. A warm summer and a cold, dry winter characterize the city. The NRC Plant Hardiness Zone for Calgary is 4a. Calgary experiences average daily temperatures ranging from 16.5°C in July to -7.1°C in January, according to Environment Canada. The best Calgary landscaping companies know that the design of the landscape can be challenging in this regard. In this article, we will examine important factors to consider for landscaping and landscape design in Calgary considering its weather and soil profile.
Soil profile in Calgary
It is hard to work with the soil in Calgary because of its high clay content, which makes it tough to work with. Furthermore, Calgary soil has a high pH level and is classified as clay or clay loam. Plants, flowers, and vegetables can’t be grown by digging up the soil in your yard. It’s important to get soil that’s balanced with enough nutrients to maintain soil and plant growth.
Important considerations for landscape design
Let’s see important considerations for landscape design on Calgary soil.
Soil amendment: It would be almost necessary to get your yard soil amended or improved. A screened soil could be the option. Alternatively, you can go for specially prepared soils, which break down the clay in the soil and adds supplies to the soil with the nutrients it needs.
Mulching: In mulching, wood chips, barks, leaves, pine needles, hardwoods, and other organic materials are used to cover the soil. Mulches made from organic materials naturally decompose over time. In addition to preventing soil compaction and preserving moisture, this method improves water infiltration.
Additionally, it helps control weed growth, which is often a source of soil problems. Roots are protected from extreme temperatures by mulches. If you choose to use this process, it is also important to decide which type of mulch you want to use in your lawn or garden by knowing your objective. There are two types of mulches: Organic and Inorganic.
The rate of decomposition of organic mulches varies. Most of the time, it depends on the soil’s composition, the climate, and the organisms present in it. By contrast, organic mulches require little maintenance and don’t need to be replenished. In contrast, they do not decompose, so they cannot improve soil quality or fertilize it.
Avoid application of fertilizers:
The use of organic compost is recommended over using chemical fertilizer, according to Calgary landscape suppliers. To grow a healthy garden, you must make sure to use the best soil and it is important to consider the soil composition. You can plan soil tests to know its composition,
Soil testing: A home testing kit is a must-buy if you are a pro gardener otherwise your landscape design firm will certainly do it. pH levels and nutrient deficiencies can be determined by soil tests. In some advanced kits, you can also determine the cation exchange capacity, the number of soluble salts, and other relevant classifications. It estimates the elements necessary to grow plants.
Weather in Calgary
Calgary is in zone 4a, which means plants can withstand temperatures as low as -34.4 °C, according to the NRC’s plant hardiness map. Calgary receives approximately 400 millimeters of rain per year according to data collected over the past 25 years. A garden requires approximately 25 millimeters of water a week, so supplemental irrigation is required.
Important considerations for landscape design
Go for water-wise plants: Calgary has a short growing season, which means we need water-wise plants that will not only grow and thrive, but also survive cold winter temperatures, drying winds, and limited snow cover.
During the first two years, water-wise trees and shrubs will need additional water. In time, you can gradually reduce the amount of water they receive; eventually, rainfall will suffice to keep them healthy.
Few water-wise plants are Amur Maple, Bur Oak, and Colorado Blue Spruce. For ornamental touch, you can go for Preston Lilac or Prickly rose
Native plants: A wise choice is to plant native plants. Native plants are available at most garden centers, and some specialize in native plants.
Zone 2 or 3 labeled plants: In Calgary, hardy plants categorized as Zone 2 or 3 are consistently able to survive.
