Many homeowners struggle with landscaping problems. Whether it’s a rocky yard, soggy area or insufficient privacy, there are several ways to overcome these obstacles and create the garden of your dreams.
If your yard has a lot of rocky terrain and is hard to mow then xeriscaping could be the perfect solution for you. Or maybe you have an area that seems to soak up every drop of water, rendering it unusable.
Poor Drainage
When the soil on your property isn’t properly drained, it can create a host of problems. It could lead to the expansion and contraction of the soil, which in turn can crack your foundation or walkways. Water that collects around your home can also cause fungus growth, rot and fungal diseases. Not to mention, this water can damage your lawn, shrubs and trees and cause safety hazards for anyone walking on your property.
The first sign of drainage problems is puddles that don’t disappear after it rains or from sprinkling. If the puddles are located in low areas, this is usually an indicator that the soil needs to be improved with better grading or a surface drain.
Another sign of drainage problems is that your soil is compacted. Compacted soils squeeze out the pore spaces that water needs to penetrate into the ground. This can be caused by heavy equipment, foot traffic and natural settling over time. To help improve your landscape drainage, work in lots of organic matter such as compost. This will add pore space and improve the flow of water through your soil. However, this is a multi-year process and will take some time to become fully effective.
You can also test your drainage by digging a hole and filling it with water. If the water doesn’t drain within 24 hours, you have a drainage problem. You can also improve your drainage by incorporating some coarse aggregate like pea gravel and organic matter into your soil to allow water to soak in.
If you’re looking for an immediate solution to your drainage issues, a Dennis’ 7 Dees landscape professional can install a French drain or surface drain for you. This will redirect the water flow away from low spots in your yard, improving your landscaping and protecting your property. In the long run, your landscape drainage problems will be eliminated, and you’ll save yourself a lot of money and headaches. Contact us today to see how we can improve your yard’s drainage! We offer free consultations and estimates. We’re a family-owned and operated business that takes pride in our work.
Too Much Sun
Many homeowners understand how much a well-designed landscape can add to their home’s value. Some choose to hire an expert while others decide to tackle their landscaping needs on their own. Unfortunately, even with the best intentions, some people run into common but easily remedied problems.
For instance, the homeowner may be in a residential neighborhood where privacy is a top priority. In this scenario, one of the best landscape solutions is to build a green wall. This is a great alternative to a traditional fence as it maintains a natural look and helps keep neighboring properties private without having to build an actual fence.
Other landscape solutions include the use of mulch. In areas of the property that are heavily shaded, mulch can be used to help create a more pleasant appearance. This is especially true if the mulch is colored, as this can make the area appear more vibrant. Likewise, shady spots can be filled with shade-loving plants like hostas, ferns and hydrangeas. This is a great alternative to trying to fight the shady area with sun-loving plants that may not thrive.
Insect Infestation
Insects can take a toll on both the appearance and health of your landscape. Fortunately, preventing insect infestations is possible by using preventive tactics such as periodic inspections and removing affected plant tissue. In addition, natural options such as sticky traps and barriers of diatomaceous earth can be used to control pests. Additionally, organic and non-toxic pesticides can be used to suffocate insects without the risk of human exposure and resistance.
A sudden change in the number and variety of insects in your yard can indicate a pest infestation. For example, if you usually see only a few ants and cockroaches, but suddenly you’re seeing an increased number and different species, this is a sign that there are too many bugs breeding on your property.
An increase in the number of insect holes in leaves is another indication that a pest problem exists. Sap-sucking insects, like scale insects and aphids, create these holes by eating away at the plant’s sap. This weakens the plant and causes it to divert energy from producing growth. As a result, the plant will become less healthy and may die if it’s not treated.
Another sign of pests is when the plant begins wilting and dropping leaves. Pests eat the plants, leaving them dehydrated and causing them to drop leaves. This can be a serious problem for gardeners as it means that the plants aren’t getting enough nutrients and are becoming weaker.
Insects can also be the cause of fungus, mildew and other plant diseases. For this reason, it is important to use preventive tactics, such as planting disease-resistant cultivars and avoiding using invasive plants in your landscape. Additionally, weed control and proper watering help to reduce the chances of an insect infestation. Lastly, regular pruning keeps a garden looking neat and tidy and can discourage insects from coming too close to your home. In the case of a new home, it is also a good idea to remove any overhanging branches or shrubs that could serve as bridges for pests to crawl up your wall and into your house.
Poor Privacy
Most homeowners are willing to put in a bit of work, or even hire experts, to create beautiful landscaping on their property. However, there are always some challenges that arise that seem to be unavoidable. Some of these are fairly minor, while others can be major stumbling blocks to creating your ideal landscape design.
One of the most common landscaping problems is a lack of privacy. This can be especially frustrating if your neighbors aren’t particularly friendly or have small yards that are close together. There are a number of landscaping solutions for this problem, including installing a lattice fence or planting bushes to create a living wall that offers privacy.
Another option is to plant fast-growing evergreens that offer year-round screening. These include shrubs like holly, Italian cypress, and arborvitae, as well as sheared privet hedges. In addition to providing privacy, these plants also add color and texture to a yard, making them an attractive alternative to traditional fencing.
It is important to note that a lack of privacy can also be due to other factors, such as the location of your home or other outbuildings in relation to your property line and setbacks, as well as any local laws regarding fence height. It is best to find a balance between screening and openness that works for you and your neighbors.
While it is a good idea to use various types of screens in a landscape, you should avoid relying on too many barriers as they can make a space feel closed off and boxed in. Try using unexpected elements, such as plexiglass, to block prying eyes while still allowing light and other textures to come through.