Landscape Services

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"How long should I wait before I install my landscape around my new house?" A landscape should be installed after all the settling is done which can take a really long time the natural way by just letting everything sit for at least a year. This can take great patience and no one wants an ugly looking yard for that long. Some go ahead and do it early without taking any precautionary steps and in a few years they are dealing with grade that is sloping back towards the house, crooked retaining walls, and just a lot of problems. If you don't have patience it is possible to install your landscape right away just make sure to ask a professional for techniques to prevent any settling.

"I want a landscape that is low to no maintenance, can you do this for me?" Probably the most frequently asked question. I kinda laugh every time someone ask's this question, because I don't think their is anything that requires no maintenance. Sure their are many options to make your landscape a little easier to take care of.  Plant material can be chosen that will endure most anything, stick to natives or boulders for decorations. When it comes to rock or mulch or what kind of edging to put in be prepared for different answers. It all depends on who you ask. 

"Should I put in rock or mulch?" I usually start off by telling them the advantages and disadvantages of both and that I personally think mulch is the only way to go. Mulch has many advantages it keeps the weeds out if the proper amount is applied, it holds in moisture, cools the soil, improves soil quality, and has an appealing look. Mulch needs to be replaced every year to every other year and some people say that it blows around. Mulch will not blow around if enough is applied, no fabric is installed underneath and the quality of the mulch is good. Rock has very few advantages you only have to install it once and no weeds will grow through the fabric. Disadvantages include poor plant growing conditions, if rocks aren't cleaned out regularly dirt buildup may be a problem and weeds will start to appear, rock is a lot more expensive to install and take out, rock requires fabric and some may be impermeable to water causing a lot of runoff and also generates a lot of heat. You can determine what is better for your situation and there is a time and place for both. 

"Should I cleanup my landscape in the fall or spring?" This is another yes and no question. It is good to cleanup any leaves that trees or shrubs may have left to help prevent diseases that may be living in them but most trimming should wait until spring. Perennials that are left in the fall tend to help collect snow on top to help them survive the winter. If cleaned up they are exposed to cold and with a winter without much cover they could die. Shrubs and trees all need to be trimmed and different times for best flowering and health. Make sure to ask a professional when to prune. Its comical how many people ask this question and I tell them the spring but they still cleanup every fall just because they don't like the mess. 

"How much should I water my plants after you have installed them?" Watering is very important especially when first establishing. After install the landscaping company should water each plant in. After that it is up to mother nature to tell you how much you should water. Let your plant dry out in between watering. Water inconsistently to let the plant roots not depend upon your watering, which helps drive your roots deeper. More often than not if a plant is struggling it is usually due to to much watering rather than not enough. Don't let that frighten you because a plant can also very easily die from not watering at all. Their is a fine line and sometimes its just better to let mother nature take control rather than trying to help out. A simple rule of thumb you can go by is for every 1" in diameter of a tree it should have 1" to 2" of water every week for at least 1 year before it is established. With a 2" diameter tree it will require 2" to 3" of water every week for 2 years until it is fully established and so forth.

"Should I stake my tree and how?" Staking is also a very important part in the establishment of a tree. Its comical to see all the different ways and ideas people have. Like using 5 post and strings every which direction to keep that tree from budging at all. Not good!!!!!! Or that staking job where the string is wore half way through the tree. So what is the proper way and why do you stake a tree? Staking a tree is to help that tree become stronger and also to help that tree grow straight and nice and pretty. Depending on the situation 2 is usually enough stakes for a tree but 3 is sometimes necessary. Always put stakes at least 3 ft from the base of the tree and not directly along the trunk. Make your strings very simple with slack so that tree can move freely. This is where many people go wrong they tighten that tree so it is just a standing board and as soon as you take the stakes off that tree is snapping in 2 or bent sideways. You want your tree to move freely so that it can help build up strength. Make sure to use a protector around your string this can be very cheaply done by using old leftover hose. Don't leave your stakes their forever please take them off so the tree doesn't grow around the string.

"When is it okay to plant my garden?" Trust me your not going to benefit from getting your garden in early. Look at your local area average last frost date. It will very from place to place. Watch the forecast and keep track of soil temps and moisture levels. Have patience and your garden will get off to a lot better start. It is nearly impossible to tell you when is the right time.

"When is the best time to plant my tree?" Early spring or fall is the best time. You never know what a spring is going to bring so i usually recommend the fall because it seems to be more consistent. This is the ideal time because the heat is going away and the tree is now in the process of shutting down for the year or going into dormancy. You will see the best root growth around this time. Watering is less frequent because of the cooler weather.