Welcome to Forest Landscaping!

When the highest quality and attention to detail are what you are looking for in your outdoor space, count on Forest Landscaping, Inc. to provide it for you. Whether it’s creating an oasis in your backyard, putting the finishing touch on your new home, a place to practice your short game, replacing that old patio, or just updating the yard a bit, we will design and install what it is you’re looking for - even if you don’t know what that is! A beautiful, functional space is what everyone wants, and we’ve been delivering that to homeowners in Northwest Indiana and the Chicago Southland for over 15 years. With owner involvement in every aspect of the process, you can count on customer service that is second to none!

Enhance Your Yard By Installing A Pergola

It may be hard to think ahead to spring and summer through all of the freezing temperatures, snow, and rain... Or maybe that's exactly what is getting you through these last several weeks of winter.

Now is the perfect time to think about enhancing your yard by installing a pergola. Pergolas create an additional living space by providing a bright and airy room to relax in. Pergolas can be free standing or attached to another structure, and are an excellent way to enjoy nature around you.

Adding a pergola can create a beautiful focal point within your property. They can easily be adorned with lattice and climbing vines for shade, wind chimes and flowering hanging plants, or all weather fabrics to enhance the ambiance.

Maximize your outdoor space even further by furnishing it with an outdoor dining set or lounge furniture. Perhaps you'd prefer a water feature or a simple bench for outdoor reading. The possibilities are endless.

If you live in Northwest Indiana or the Chicago Southland, contact Forest Landscaping at 708-516-4619 or online at www.forestlandscapinginc.com for all of your spring gardening needs.

Make Early Spring Landscaping Plans

Even though there is a blizzard moving through parts of the country, it's never too early to make spring landscaping plans. Whether you decide to start preparing your soil now so that it's ready in the spring, or you may decide to plant bulbs in the anticipation of spring flowers, there is no time like the present.

If you are getting too antsy for the spring solstice to arrive, make your patio a spring getaway!

Do you want to incorporate patio furniture? If you do, make sure you plan a space for it so you don't feel crowded. You can also plan your landscaping to fit in with the style of patio furniture you choose.

This is easy to do... just match colors of pots with the furniture or the cushions. You can also match or contrast flower colors with the furniture.

With a large patio, you can not only use pots for your landscaping plants, but you can build large rectangular planters that can break up the patio into areas.

If you have benches, you may want to choose some that also contain a built-in planter... it adds a little color and textural interest to your seating area. Trellises can also be anchored into pots to add some vertical color and greenery.

Patio landscaping ideas for a smaller areas may include container groupings or plants installed into small planting beds at patio level. In small areas, you may want to consider permanent seating to make the most of the space you have. A small water feature may also fit in nicely.

When spring time actually does arrive, you will be ahead of the curve. If you're in Northwest Indiana or the Chicago Southland, contact Forest Landscaping at 708-516-4619 or online at www.forestlandscapinginc.com for all of your spring gardening needs.

How To Have An Outdoor Kitchen At Your Home

If you're big on outdoor entertaining then you'll love having your very own outdoor kitchen. Some of the benefits of installing an outdoor kitchen include:

Getting outdoors more often. After working indoors all day, cooking dinner in your back yard oasis can be a treat your family will enjoy. Add some ambient lighting and music for a relaxing evening at home.

Entertaining more easily. Having company over for dinner? Think of your outdoor kitchen as a social gathering area! People love hanging around the grill. The best part about cooking outside is that you won't be stuck indoors and away from your guests.

Increasing the value of your home by adding additional livable and functional space. Whether you have a large back yard or a small one, it's not the size of the space that matters as much as the setup. Outdoor kitchens can also warm potential buyers' hearts when it comes to envisioning themselves putting the amenities to good use.

Taking your cooking to the next level. Grill up some delicious food at home rather than ordering out during a get together. Grilling is also more healthy, less greasy, and more delicious than any other cooking option.

If you're in Northwest Indiana or the Chicago Southland, contact Forest Landscaping at 708-516-4619 or online at www.forestlandscapinginc.com for all of your outdoor kitchen needs.

Tips On Giving Plants As Gifts

The holidays are a great time for people who love plants and gardening to share their passion by giving the gift of plants. Below are some tips and ideas for successful plant giving.

When giving flora as a gift be sure to match the plant to the person, in terms of care. If the recipient's home is generally kept cool, cyclamen and azaleas are both a suitable match. These plants tolerate indirect bright light. A Christmas cactus is a beautiful choice and will bloom each year around the holidays, this plant needs a bright window to thrive. Amaryllis are a great option, as they also flower throughout the winter months.

Does the gift recipient have kids or pets? The flowers on a Jerusalem cherry plant are gorgeous, but the fruit it bares are harmful if consumed. Poinsettias have been a holiday favorite for years, these plants are also toxic if consumed.

If they have a really green thumb, gardenias are a beautiful option. Lovers of gardening would appreciate clivias if they enjoy keeping their plants for years. This next plant won't flower but it does act as a natural air filter, Christmas ferns are a beautiful option for an attractive house plant year round. How about a plant your gift getter can eat? Herbs are an excellent gift. Mint, thyme, rosemary, and oregano are excellent choices. Plus they can be maintained indoors and then transferred to the garden later on.

Happy holidays from Forest Landscaping! If you're in Northwest Indiana or the Chicago Southland, contact Forest Landscaping at 708-516-4619 or online at www.forestlandscapinginc.com for all of your landscaping needs.

Does My Property Need A Retaining Wall?

When considering upgrades to your home's exterior, why not think about having a retaining wall built? Retaining walls come in a variety of styles and materials, such as concrete, wood, brick, and stone.

Some of the benefits of installing a retaining wall include:

• Providing support in order to prevent earth from being forced downhill with erosion
• Improving functionality by leveling off an area
• Reducing the speed of water runoff, this protects your lawn and garden
• Creating curb appeal
• Preventing damage to property and surrounding striations (because of flooding and erosion)

Your property is in need of a retaining wall if:

• Your home's foundation is threatened by a sliding hill
• Your yard is sloped and is at risk for downhill erosion
• Your property is difficult to landscape because it is sloped
• Your yard needs a focal point
• You want to add style to your yard
• You would like to create additional gardening space with an uneven yard or patio

You can choose something simple for retaining a small flower bed or something on a grander scale such as a walkway that curves along the perimeter of the property with a retaining wall guiding it. The possibilities are limitless. If you're in Northwest Indiana or the Chicago Southland, contact Forest Landscaping at 708-516-4619 or online at www.forestlandscapinginc.com for more information.

What Are The Benefits Hardscaping My Property?

Is your beautifully landscaped yard missing something? Whatever the style of your home, there is a natural stone or paver that will compliment your property. One of the advantages to having hardscaping professionally installed is that it adds interest and increases the aesthetics of your home without the amount of care a lawn and greenery require. Hardscapes include walkways, walls, fences, gazebos, fountains, or any non-living element.

Some advantages of hardscaping include:

• Hardscapes reduce the likelihood of property erosion.
• They are low maintenance and perfect for people with a busy schedule who don't have the time to maintain a yard. 
• Hardscapes serve as the framework for softscape elements.
• Hardscaping improves accessibility to other outdoor areas.
• Perfect for those who do not have a "green thumb." 
• Hardscaping designs can be timeless. 
• Adds functionality, such as an outdoor kitchen, relaxing patio, play area, zen garden, etc.
• Increases property value.
• Professionally installed hardscaping is visually appealing.

The benefits of hardscaping are endless. For more information on professionally installed hardscaping in Northwest Indiana and the Chicago Southland, contact Forest Landscaping at 708-516-4619 or online at www.forestlandscapinginc.com.