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.

Once you have selected your landscaping contractor make sure you get a written contract that details the work to be done and the timeline for its completion before the work begins. The weather can cause delays in an outdoor project of course but something that is projected to take just a few weeks should not drag out into months just because the landscaping contractor you hire finds themselves a little busier than expected.

In the case of the majority of landscaping projects there are planning considerations to be taken into account. If you have neighbors it is essential that you know ahead of time exactly where your property begins and ends. Many an unprepared homeowner has had to remove their beautiful new ornamental fence or dig up a recently planted set of hedges because they have been accidentally placed on someone else’s property. You should also check with the local utility companies to determine the location of any essential underground piping or wiring that cannot be disturbed.

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.

3. Don’t make a big shadow mistake

Trees and shrubs need plenty of space to spread and breath. You placement of these ‘soon to be permanent’ plants will be of utmost importance. They cannot be moved easily if you find that they are causing the light to be blocked from windows in the house. Check the spread and height of the shrub or tree you plan to plant. Imaging it in its full grown state and try to figure if it will cause future problems, lack of light not only blocks off light from buildings but also will not allow good growth underneath the trees if they are too close together. All plants require a certain amount of light to thrive.

4. A garden is nothing without water

Water is an important part of any plants survival. Every species on the planet requires water to survive. Your plants deserve to be given the best chance they can get. In your planning of your landscaped garden you need to plan in your water requirements. Certain areas may have restricted water shortages so that must be a consideration to be factored in. Rainfall patterns can also have a great impact on your garden. If you are in a heavy rain fall area then planting cactus will guarantee they will die from too much water. Irrigation is another important thing to consider, this is especially important of you plan to go on vacations and will need to leave your garden to fend for its self while you are away.