About: EmpireWalls

Spring has sprung. Dormant gardens are starting to show signs of life. Soon the weather will be warmer and you’ll want make the most of the sunnier, longer days by spending them outside.

It will be great to emerge from what has essentially felt like a less snoozy form of hibernation – leave for work when it’s dark, come home from work when it’s dark, eat, sleep and repeat – to step out into your …

Well, here it could go either way!

a) Fabulously landscaped and lush piece of heaven, where you will bask in the sun, dine alfresco and be the envy of all your family, friends and friends of friends;

b) Completely boring, uninspiring patch of poorly maintained nature, so uninviting not only will you not entertain others, you’ll just stay inside yourself.

If you align more with Option A, good for you! You can now stop reading this blog and go back to lazing in a hammock, suspended over your perfectly manicured lawn, soaking up the ambiance of your designer outdoor décor.

If you’re leaning towards Option B but don’t want to spend all your evenings consuming TV dinners, enjoying Daylight Savings only as it filters through your window because you know any attempts to relax outside will be quickly and rightfully be corrupted by contemplation of home improvements, read on!

Now, because we specialise in retaining walls, we’re going to look at a few fabulous ways you can use retaining walls as part of landscaping features that will add a new dimension to your outdoor living. Think designer appeal but for a fraction of the cost…

• Garden edging: You could go to Bunning and buy some of that cheap and nasty plastic edging stuff, but that isn’t going to take you from drab to fab, is it? No. Using retaining walls as garden edging is a great idea. It’s practical because it’s significantly more durable and, with a range of materials and finishes to choose from, aesthetically pleasing. Nothing cheap and nasty looking here; it’s all class!

• Stairs: Retaining walls are primarily used to make sloped land safer and more accessible; specifically engineered to stabilise soil at a slope greater than can be naturally supported. It sounds very practical and not particular pretty, right? Wrong! Stairs will not only increase the accessibility of the space, they will draw they eye and become the landscaping feature of your yard. Choose the right materials and these stairs will take your landscape to the next level, literally.

• Tiered gardens beds: Retaining wall landscaping works for yards of all shapes and sizes, and tiered garden beds are a great example of why and how… Have a small space? Make the most of it by adding height and layers. If you’re working with a larger space, imagine having a split level backyard – overflowing flowerbeds, outdoor entertaining areas, a grassy knoll or two. You might even want to throw in some stairs!

If you want to make the most out of the warmer days and longer nights fast approaching, contact us now with your retaining wall landscaping enquiry. Don’t delay, because by the time summer rolls around, you want your outdoor area to be fully established, not a construction zone.

Providing complete landscaping services to residential and commercial clients for more than 10 years, Empire Walls are the retaining wall specialists in Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula. We ensure each client receives personalised service, their retaining wall is fit for purpose and we guarantee our retaining walls from the ground up. Retaining walls are just the start – offered as part of our complete landscaping services.

• For examples of our work, please refer to the Empire Retaining Walls online ‘Portfolio’.
• If you’re after a service not listed here, refer to this list for details of our complete landscaping services.
• For more information/a free quote, call Adam on 0421 573 001 or email empirewalls@live.com.au.
• For free landscaping tips and to stay in touch, follow us on Facebook.

We’ve been the retaining wall specialists in the Mornington Peninsula for more than 10 years, providing complete landscaping services to residential and commercial clients in:

• Arthurs Seat
• Botanic Ridge
• Carrum Downs
• Dromana
• Frankston
• Frankston East
• Frankston Heights
• Frankston South
• Karingal
• Langwarrin
• Moorooduc
• Mornington
• Mount Eliza
• Mount Martha
• Portsea
• Red Hill
• Rosebud
• Safety Beach
• Sandhurst
• Seaford
• Settlers Run
• Somerville
• Sorrento
• Tootgarook
• Tyabb
• Aspendale
• Aspendale Gardens
• Beaumaris
• Berwick
• Black Rock
• Blind Bight
• Bonbeach
• Brighton
• Carrum
• Chelsea
• Chelsea Heights
• Cheltenham
• Cranbourne
• Cranbourne North
• Cranbourne South
• Cranbourne West
• Dandenong
• Edithvale
• Hastings
• Highett
• Mentone
• Mordialloc
• Parkdale
• Patterson Lakes
• Southland

And now, Empire Retaining Walls is pleased to announce our specialist services are being offered in:

• Armadale
• Ashburton
• Ashwood
• Bentleigh
• Bentleigh East
• Carnegie
• Caulfield
• Caulfield East
• Chadstone
• Cheltenham
• Clayton
• Elsternwick
• Glen Huntly
• Glen Iris
• Glen Waverley
• Hampton
• Hughesdale
• Huntingdale
• McKinnon
• Mount Waverley
• Mulgrave
• Murrumbeena
• Notting Hill
• Oakleigh
• Wheelers Hill

Services include:

Retaining Walls

• Timber
• Concrete
• Reinforced besser block
• Brick
• Stack stone
• Segmental block

We ensure each client receives personalised service and a top quality custom solution made of the finest materials. We are fully licensed, fully insured and we guarantee our retaining walls from the ground up.

Complete landscaping services

Whether you’re looking to make a big impression, add value to your home or improve your lifestyle through the creation of an enjoyable (perhaps even enviable!) outdoor space, we’ve got you covered with our complete landscaping services.

• Design
• Excavation and earthworks
• Decking
• Fencing
• Brickwork
• Repair work
• Consultations

Where to from here?

• For examples of our work, please refer to the Empire Retaining Walls online ‘Portfolio’.
• If you’re after a service not listed here, please all Adam on 0421 573 001 to discuss your needs.
• To obtain a free quote, call Adam or email empirewalls@live.com.au.
• For free landscaping tips and to stay in touch, follow us on Facebook.

We’re in the depths of winter and it is bloody cold, there’s no doubt! It seems like spring is far, far away, but it will be here before you know it. So here are four things you should do in August to prepare your garden for spring and ensure your little pocket of the great outdoors reaches its full potential.

1. Check for repairs. Exposed to the elements, retaining walls and decks take a beating during winter. And some of the damage caused to these structures can be dangerous, so be sure to check if any maintenance is required.

a. Here are some tips on:

i. What to check your retaining wall for; and

ii. How to protect your deck.

2. Plant and prune. It’s time to trim your fruit trees and roses, and transplant deciduous trees and shrubs while they’re still dormant. Plant fruit trees, top up the veggie patch and consider a sustainable, low environmental impact mulch that will enrich your soil as it breaks down. If you’d prefer flowers over food, it’s time to plant your annuals.

a. Tip: Prune at a 45 degree angle. This helps the plant heal better and therefore limits the chances of pests or diseases taking hold. If you have pruned plants that are infected with pests, sterilise the tools used to avoid spreading disease.

3. Weed and feed. It’s time to rip out the weeds, maybe throw down some wood chip so you can reduce their regrowth. Treat your plants and your lawn to a slow release fertiliser. If you’re laying new turf, the end of August is a good time to do so.

a. Tip: If you have a furry friend, be sure to get a pet friendly fertiliser.

4. Complete landscaping projects. The fourth and final tip to prepare your garden for spring, but by no means the least important. By the time spring/summer rolls around, you want your outdoor entertaining area to be fully established, not a construction zone. Now is the time to install landscaping features like retaining walls, decks, fencing, brickwork etc.

a. Tip: We offer complete landscaping services and specialise in retaining walls. Contact us for an obligation free consultation and quote.

About the author: Empire Retaining Walls offers residential and commercial customers, including builders and architects, practical and aesthetically pleasing landscaping services and solutions. Whether you’re looking to make a big impression, add value to your home, improve your lifestyle through the creation of an enjoyable (perhaps even enviable!) outdoor space, or just maintain that space, we’ve got you covered with our complete landscaping services. For examples of our work, please refer to the Empire Retaining Walls online ‘Portfolio’.

Here are our three top landscaping tips for homeowners who want to make the most of their properties now, while investing in their increased value for the future.

1. Install a retaining wall.

If you have a sloping yard, or it’s prone to flooding, a retaining wall will level out the yard making it more accessible and improve drainage. Practically, retaining walls prevent soil erosion and generally make your yard a safer place.

Aesthetically they can also make stunning landscaping features, taking your average backyard from drab to fab…  Imagine having a split level backyard – tiered flower beds, outdoor entertaining areas, a grassy knoll or two. Think designer appeal but for a fraction of the cost.

And that’s just the backyard! What about the front?

Create a stunning first impression with a spectacularly designed retaining wall that separates your home from the street. It will increase privacy, in some cases reduce noise and block unattractive views.

Consider retaining wall materials>

2. Erect a deck

Decking isn’t just for those who have a pool. Cheaper than adding a large extension, decking is the most cost effective and time efficient method of adding square metres to your home.

If you home lends itself to it, create flow between internal and external spaces by having your outdoor living area lead off an indoor entertaining area. You’ll get more use of the deck if it’s accessible from a communal space.

In 2012, domain.com.au estimated that adding a deck could increase a property’s value by up to $100,000. Given how the property market has skyrocketed since, it’s probably more now.

Read more about getting on deck>

3. Easy care lawns and gardens

According to domain.com.au, a Michigan University study found that homeowners achieved a 109 per cent return on every landscaping dollar spent – higher than any other home improvement. The same Michigan University research found good landscape design increased perceived home value by 5–11 per cent.

For your enjoyment and resale value, you want something that looks fabulous but is relatively low maintenance. Consider laying hardy new turf, minimising the number of plant species in your garden to make it easy to care for and to give a more uniform look. Irrigation systems are also a big winner.

Click here for autumn lawn and garden care tips>

Empire Retaining Walls offers residential and commercial customers, including builders and architects, practical and aesthetically pleasing landscaping services and solutions. Find out how we can help you today>

Here are some top tips on how to stop (or at least minimise) your dog destroying your lawn and garden.

Digging 
The RSPCA suggests walking your dog at least once a day, which will help burn off some of that energy, and provide toys to help distract them from their digging instinct.  Dogs may also dig in warm weather to lie in cool dirt. Ensure plenty of cold water is available. You may also want to consider cooling pads or kiddy pools.

Doggy doo
It’s time to invest in a poop scoop and a sprinkler. Picking up after your dog regularly and watering your lawn will help reduce the impact of the nitrogen contained within their numbers ones and twos, which will impact the health of your lawn. You can also buy products, such as Dog Rocks, which help reduce those nasty burn patches.

Flower beds 
Again, exercise and stimulating toys are key. Low fences can also create a visual barrier that is enough to keep your bruiser at bay. You can also use repellents – homemade or purchased at your local pet or hardware store – just make sure the ingredients are not harmful to your furry friends.

Chewing
Provide interesting chew toys, perhaps those fun ones that hide treats. Again, repellents may work. Maybe a bone a couple of times a week. Remember to never feed your dog cooked bones! If your puppy is teething and has sore gums, consider frozen treats to offer relief.

Compromise 
It might be that you need to create a dog friendly zone. Train them to go bathroom there and maybe even provide a designated digging area – a sand pit perhaps. Remember, it’s better for everyone involved to train your dog using positive reinforcement rather than punishment. Responsible training tips can be found at RSCPA.

Need help with your lawn?

Whether you’re looking to make a big impression, add value to your home, improve your lifestyle through the creation of an enjoyable (perhaps even enviable!) outdoor space, or just maintain that space, we’ve got you covered with our complete landscaping services.

• For examples of our work, please refer to the Empire Retaining Walls online ‘Portfolio’.
• If you’re after a service not listed here, please all Adam on 0421 573 001 to discuss your needs.
• To obtain a free quote, call Adam or email empirewalls@live.com.au.
• For free landscaping tips and to stay in touch, follow us on Facebook.