Essence of Home Improvement

Posts Tagged ‘Landscape’

Every proud homeowner wants the land around their property to be as aesthetically appealing as the rooms within, but achieving that goal is not always an easy task. With Spring just around the corner, now is the perfect time to think about hiring a landscaper to help you achieve the garden of your dreams.

Hiring the right landscaping contractor can be tricky. Anyone can buy a second hand van and some gardening tools in order to tout themselves as a landscaper. It is just as important to ensure the landscaping company you are considering is properly licensed and insured as it is when you are hiring a remodeling contractor to work on the interior of your home. It is fine to have the high schooler from down the block mow your lawn once a week, but do you really want an amateur digging around your property which is full of buried water lines, or an untrained person spreading dangerous chemicals all over your backyard? The simple answer is no.

Just as you would for any home remodeling project, obtain estimates for your landscaping project from at least three suitable licensed contractors and consider them carefully before you make a decision. Request references and take the time to actually check them.

Beginning gardeners often make some costly mistakes in their creation of their landscaped garden. Knowing what to avoid could help you prevent spending money and then need to call in a professional to fix your costly mistakes.

1. Plan ahead and then check and plan again

It can never be stressed enough the importance of planning your garden and planning it to fit its present surroundings. First looking at the existing permanent features such as the house, and any other permanent fixtures that cannot be changed, your landscape idea must fit into what is existing. Decide what you want your garden to do, be a showpiece that is unused or a garden that can be lived in. Set aside areas for recreation, this is imperative if you have a family of growing children and pets.

2. Planning your plants and their needs

If you are not sure ask an expert. Either at your local nursery or get advice from a professional landscape gardener, knowing which plants will fit the environment you create is important for their survival and your peace of mind. Check all your shade areas and sun areas, its no use putting a shade plant in a sunny part of the garden it will not survive the heat and the same goes for a sun loving plant to be placed in a shade area it will not thrive and will most likely die. A garden with dead plants is a sad and ugly sight.