Wisconsin Granite Boulders - Private Residence, WI

Landscape Inspiration for Your Next Retaining Wall Project

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Retaining walls are often more than just an aesthetic addition to your landscaping project. They’re used to help control downhill erosion, manage water runoff, and even create usable landscaping space if your green space is steeply graded and difficult to use otherwise. When it comes to building a retaining wall, though, you could be overwhelmed by the number of options available to you.

Kafka Granite knows landscaping stone and can help when it comes to making a unique retaining wall. We offer a variety of granite boulders, cobbles, and decorative rip rap—a large angular stone—that can be used to make a one-of-a-kind retaining wall that will blend seamlessly with your natural aesthetic. The variety of naturally colored stone offered make it possible for your retaining wall to become exactly what you’ve dreamed of: a beautiful, natural solution that blends in with your landscape rather than obtrusive  manufactured concrete block.

Must-dos for Building a Retaining Wall

When building a retaining wall from natural granite boulders or rip rap, the size of the stone you’ll need to build the wall you want will impact your wall’s finished design. If your retaining wall is low and following a particularly curvy course, perhaps around a flowerbed, water feature, or outdoor space, you’re most likely on the lookout for smaller-sized granite boulders. Both boulders and rip rap landscaping stone options can blend into your landscape’s surroundings or stand on their own as a decorative feature.

As professional designers and contractors, most will be familiar with the retaining wall process. But to err on the side of caution, here are the most important details to keep in mind when plotting out your next retaining wall project outside of the traditional type, color, and size of stone considerations.

You’ll need to have an in depth understanding of where the property lines are located, power lines are buried, and  where there is a difference in grade throughout the area. Knowing the difference in grades within the property will allow you to plan where and how your retaining wall will adjust to the environment’s natural ebb and flow. With this information you will be able to discuss with your client how they wish to address some of the project’s challenges. For example, is the final retaining wall going to cut into any hills (and how much material will you have to remove in front of or add behind the new wall) or is it going to follow the natural slope of the property? These conversations will allow all involved to better visualize how the final retaining wall will work in your overall landscape design.

The soil your retaining wall will be holding back is also a vitally important consideration. Soils can range from being clay-based to very sandy. The type of soil used will help determine how much reinforcement your retaining wall will need to provide. Also, a heavy clay soil will provide less drainage than a sandier soil. To ensure optimal drainage and avoid damage from saturation or frost-heave to your retaining wall in the years to come, we recommend using gravel as your primary backfill. When your soil is less than ideal for using behind a retaining wall, using gravel backfill for roughly 2 feet behind the wall is a good solution for drainage. Use gravel backfill until 6 inches below the top of the retaining wall because that is where you can safely fill in with topsoil.

Get the Natural Retaining Wall You’ve Always Wanted

Ditch the manufactured blocks that the big box stores sell and provide your clients with something truly spectacular. Opt for a unique and natural retaining wall that will add just the aesthetic you’re looking for to your landscape design. Whether you want to create a retaining wall that will house next flowerbeds or you need to cut into a hill to create a flat, usable space in your green space, don’t wait. The ideal landscape stone is available from your nearest Kafka Granite dealer.

If you’re interested in Kafka’s granite boulder or rip rap retaining wall options, we can help you to find a dealer near you. If you’re interested in becoming a part of our dealer program, we can help with that, too! Give us a call and let’s talk about your next big project.

Salt & Pepper Stabilized Pathway Mix - Akron Art Museum - Akron, OH

Complete Your Project with Today’s Landscaping Trends

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As we head into 2018 landscaping season, so should your landscaping design. The trends for landscape design change slightly from year to year, and now more than ever is a growing emphasis on bringing facets of green living—living more environmentally friendly—to the great outdoors. When designing the ideal outdoor space for your next project, there are quite a few elements to keep track of on your landscape checklist.

Kafka Granite is a premier manufacturer of architectural and landscape aggregates in the heart of the Midwest, so keeping our thumb on the pulse of landscaping trends is crucial. We work with landscape architects to perfect the materials used in green outdoor spaces for large-scale projects. Whether it’s the ideal material to complete a walkway, a supply of boulders for retaining walls or water features, or the perfect aggregate for decorative precast concrete  pavers, flower beds, trash cans, and more, we take pride in creating the best of the best when it comes to crushed aggregates for landscape projects.

Things to Consider for the Perfect Landscape

You might have a dream landscape in mind, but before you start digging and plotting, there are a few things to consider. When you begin a project, one of the first constraints you have to work within is a budget. Especially small budgets mean you need to get clever in terms of materials—and maintenance costs. A design outfitted with several seating areas, fire pits, pergolas, and sprawling gardens is going to be substantially more costly than wide-open lawns. Considering cost every step of the way will force you to prioritize the goals of the project and better plan for features to include.

In relation to cost is function. How will this space be used? Does it need to be fit for large crowds, heavy foot traffic, vehicular traffic, etc.? The functionality needs of your landscape architecture often dictate where the budget absolutely needs to go. For example, while having an impermeable wax polymer pathway through the project isn’t exactly what you want, it may be what the project needs in to eliminate erosion on a very steep slope while maintaining a natural aesthetic.

You also have to work within your physical boundaries. Small, awkward areas can be complex to not only design, but install. By exploring all the different colors and textures of materials available, even the smallest of landscaping projects can be crafted into functional, beautiful areas that people can enjoy and use. However, keep in mind limitations that may occur during installation. Often times, with some creative problem solving, a quality landscape contractor, and a little extra elbow grease, solutions can be found for the tight areas where heavy equipment access is unlikely.

5 Booming Trends in Landscape Architecture

Xeriscapes (Dry Gardens)

Creating an xeriscape or a dry landscape is an excellent solution in particularly arid climates. When an area receives little to no rain and is subject to drought, consider this as it requires no irrigation. While these have become popular options in dry climates, xeriscapes can be created anywhere water conservation or minimal maintenance is desired or required. Planning dry gardens means taking into account how the sun reaches your project so you can appropriately plan where you would want to plant shade-producing trees or shrubs and where you’d plant grasses or succulents.

Low-water-use plants in conjunction with an appropriate base, such as a decomposed aggregate, make for a water-conscious landscape design that can provide ample space for gathering, walking around, and more.

Salt & Pepper Stabilized Pathway Mix - Akron Art Museum - Akron, OH

Salt & Pepper Stabilized Pathway Mix – Akron Art Museum – Akron, OH

Using Native Plants

One sure-fire way to have your landscape design blend into its surroundings is to use plants and flora that are indigenous to the area. It would be awkward to include a variety of palms in the heart of Wisconsin, so plan accordingly. Successfully incorporating native plants, though, requires a bit of research. Discover what plants thrive in the area, as well as call that space home, by garnering inspiration from nearby forests or nature preserves.

Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater harvesting is exactly what it sounds like: Collecting rainwater in wells or barrels for reuse in lieu of letting it run off. Developing the right system to collect rainwater is a process that may need additional assistance. You could create very simple systems, e.g., rain barrels under downspouts, and more complex ones that include sunken reservoirs and more complicated withdrawal techniques. Harvested rainwater is ideal for watering gardens, irrigation, and groundwater recharge.This trend is booming especially in urban landscapes.

90% Starlight Black, 5% Salt & Pepper, 5% Snow White Custom Stabilized Pathway - American Greetings Headquarters - Westlake, OH

90% Starlight Black, 5% Salt & Pepper, 5% Snow White Custom Stabilized Pathway – American Greetings Headquarters – Westlake, OH

Gathering Areas

Don’t let your landscaping architecture go unnoticed. Let your beautiful space be observed and appreciated while being used to maximum capacity by creating inviting gathering areas. Especially if your project includes an open expanse of space that’s begging to be filled, a popular trend is to fill that space with areas to congregate, sit and meet with one another. Maybe it’s the perfect spot for employees to eat their lunches or for passersby to take their next phone call. It could be a gorgeous midway point for people to take a quick break when heading from point A to B.

Your gathering area may be anchored by precast concrete benches, low-lying flower beds, fire pits, or more. If your budget and space allows gathering to be a possibility, the opportunities are endless.

Efficient Irrigation

While not as outwardly trendy as a sleek and custom precast concrete planters and benches, efficient irrigation is a landscaping trend that’s hard to ignore. An irrigation system is simply one that waters your landscaping at regular intervals. Efficient irrigation systems will only provide plants, trees, and shrubs with water when and where they need it. It’s also important to have rain sensors so that your irrigation system won’t kick in before, during, or after rainfall. Efficient irrigation is a way to conserve water as well as ensure you won’t have to worry about flooding from over-watering in the future.

Get Started on Your Next Landscaping Project

So, what will your next landscaping project shape up to be? These trends aren’t going anywhere anytime soon, so utilizing these tips now will put your project in the limelight for years to come. If you’re a landscape architect searching for the right aggregate, pathway material, or decorative stonefor your next project, call or chat with us today.