Annapolis Landscaping Designer is Important
As an Annapolis Landscaping Company designer more often than not I’m called in to fix a problem. It may be poor drainage, an overgrown foundation planting, dead or dying shrubs and trees or just a boring landscape. Most people call in a landscape designer in Annapolis or Severna Park when they can’t figure out how to solve their landscape problems. Here are the top five most common homeowner mistakes and how you can avoid them.
1. Piecemeal plantings-This is the number one mistake that homeowners make. They pick up a beautiful plant that they see in bloom at their local garden center and plant it somewhere in their yard. After a few years their yard looks like a hodgepodge of odds and ends without any unifying theme. The solution is to make a landscaping plan! Draw your yard out on graph paper and mark where all the plants are in relation to your house. Then make a list of what you’ve got and what you need to buy. That way when you go to the garden center you won’t be tempted to buy something that’s not right for your yard. Well maybe you will be tempted by that beautiful rose bush but at least you’ll know whether you have room for it. If the idea of putting pen to paper intimates you, there are several good computer software programs that homeowners can buy and use to design their yard. Or you can have a professional Annapolis landscape designer create a master plan for you. An Annapolis landscaping Company designer can also suggest ways of phasing your Annapolis home landscape installation to meet your budget and allow you to do some or all of the work yourself.
2. Too much lawn-Most people think they must have a lawn because all their neighbors do. Then they feel they are a slave to their grass each summer; between mowing and watering, fertilizing and chemical applications, there’s no rest. Consider taking out some of your lawn and planting hardy native shrubs and plants. This will save on your water bill and save you time mowing. It will reduce the amount of chemicals and pesticides you will need and because you have an Annapolis Landscaping it will reduce polluted runoff into the Chesapeake Bay. It will also invite wildlife into your yard and make your property a ‘greener’ place.
3. Lack of seasonal interest-most Annapolis landscaped residential yards look great in the spring. There are lots of trees and shrubs in bloom and the grass is green and verdant. But what about the rest of the year? Most homeowners buy and plants trees and shrubs in the spring when they are blooming so they end up with a boring yard the rest of the year. There are plants that bloom or have interesting features during each of the seasons of the year, including winter. You can get inspiration and learn about plants by visiting local public gardens and garden centers or by getting a book from the library.
4. Lack of proper watering-During the hot summer months here in Annapolis we always seem to have dry spells. Most people think about watering their lawns, but do you water your trees and shrubs too? Lawns need the equivalent of an inch of rain a week during the growing season. The needs of trees and shrubs vary depending on species, but all of them need watering during a prolonged dry spell. Consider installing an irrigation system or soaker hoses rather than dragging a hose all around your yard. Most plants benefit from fewer but deeper waterings that soak down into the root zone. Or plant ‘waterwise plants’-those that require less water to maintain their growth.
5. Plants not properly located- Any healthy plant will thrive if placed in its ideal environment. The trick is to select the right plant for the right place. Take into consideration the amount and direction of sunlight, soil conditions, water needs, growth habit and mature size of the plants you put into your garden. If a plant is sited properly, you can enjoy watching it grow without having to do much more than weeding and occasional pruning. There are thousands of plants available and new, improved cultivars being introduced each year. There’s no reason not to have the perfect plant for that special spot in your Annapolis landscaped garden.
Think of your garden as you do the interior of your home-it should be planned to reflect your needs and taste. With adequate planning and the right plants, your landscaped garden will give you many pleasant hours and be a beautiful backdrop for your home.
Annapolis Landscaping Lawn Tips For Spring
Now that the weather is starting to warm up it’s time to get your landscape ready for spring and summer. First clean up any fallen leaves and branches and rake any debris that has collected over the winter. You may need to dethatch and aerate your lawn. Thatch is a tightly intermingled organic layer of dead and living shoots, stems, and roots that accumulate just above the soil surface. Thatch accumulation is due to either overfertilization, over-watering, and/or soil compaction. A small amount of thatch is desirable because it moderates soil temperature fluctuations and provides a cushion on the soil surface. Too much thatch reduces the lawn’s ability to absorb water and fertilizer, and increases disease and insect activity.
Eventually, roots may start growing in the thatch, and since thatch does not hold much water, the turf then becomes very susceptible to drought stress. Thatch can be removed by using a special dethatching machine. The need for aerating a lawn generally stems from soil compaction from heavy use such as foot traffic, vehicles, etc. Typically the more clay you have in your soil, the more susceptible your lawn is to compaction.
Aerating is done with a special machine that removes plugs of soil from your lawn. It is usually followed by overseeding. If you had crabgrass in your lawn last year you can be sure it will be back this year. Now’s the time to treat your lawn with a pre-emergent herbicide to kill crabgrass and other lawn weeds. Timing is critical to this process. You need to treat your lawn two weeks before the lawn weeds germinate. Here is our area this is between the end of March and the end of April. Keep in mind that pre-emergent herbicides will also keep new grass seeds from germinating. Wait at least one month after using any herbicides before seeding your lawn.
Turf grass needs about an inch of water per week to grow strong and healthy. If we don’t get sufficient rainfall you will need to water your lawn. Always water in the morning, if possible. This allows the grass blades to dry during the day and helps ward off fungal diseases. Water deeply and less frequently. This will stimulate your lawn to grow a healthy root system.
Get your mower tuned and ready for mowing season. Make sure your blades are sharp and set to the proper height. Most grass seed mixtures for our area should be cut at 2 ½ to 3 ½ inches.
You may wonder why I don’t say anything about fertilizer. The truth is that while it’s tempting to add fertilizer to your lawn in the spring to get that quick green-up, your lawn will actually be healthier if you wait and fertilize in the fall when most of the nutrients will be used for root production.
For a more eco-friendly and waterwise garden, consider removing some of your lawn and planting native trees and shrubs to your Annapolis landscaping. This will save on your water bill and invite wildlife into your garden.
Tips When Choosing an Annapolis Landscaper
Whether you are an avid gardener or would prefer to look at your landscape from the security of your living room, chances are that you want to hire someone to do some or all of your Annapolis landscaping chores. Here are some questions to ask when you are thinking about hiring an Annapolis landscaper contractor:
1. What level of service do you require? Maybe you want to plant your own flowers or mow your own grass. Maybe you hate to weed and want someone who will come on a regular basis to keep your garden looking its best. Do you travel during the year and need someone to look after your landscape while you are gone? Will the company work with you to provide the level of service you want?
2. Is the company licensed and insured? All landscape contractors should have a
MHIC#. How long have they been in business? Look for an Annapolis Landscaping company with an established reputation. They have a vested interest in keeping their customers happy.
3. Will they supply references? Look at some of the yards the landscaping company services, does their level of service meet your standards? Remember these people will be coming to your home, often when you are not there. Checking the company’s reputation protects you and your investment in your home and landscape.
4. Is the Annapolis Landscaping Company professional? Do their employees wear uniforms? Is there someone to answer the phone when you call during business hours? If not, do they return calls promptly? Are you offered a written estimate or contract that details all the work to be done on your property?
5. Are the landscaping services provided by the company performed professionally and in a timely fashion? Is the equipment well maintained and operated in a safe manner? Will they advise you on proper horticultural practices?
6. Do they offer year-round services and keep their employees working during the off-season? Do they have long-term employees and do they invest in training for their employees? You’ll get better service from a company that keeps good employees.
When you compare the services that different Annapolis landscape companies offer, remember price is only one factor in making your decision. Make sure the landscape company you pick is a good fit with you and that you understand and agree to the standards of service before you sign a contract with an Annapolis Landscaper Company.
