Landscaping Problems That Are Avoidable

Landscaping is a critical part of creating beautiful outdoor spaces that work well for you, your family and guests. However, it takes a lot of planning and hard work to achieve the results you want. Fortunately, there are some landscaping problems that you can avoid with just a little bit of extra planning. By taking the time to prevent these errors, you can make sure your yard and garden will look stunning for years to come.

Water Erosion

Water erosion is a common problem that can be especially devastating to sloped areas, but it can impact any landscape. It can expose tree roots, wash away plant beds, alter grading or drainage, and damage your home’s foundation. It’s also one of the most expensive issues to fix in your yard, so it’s worth taking a few simple precautions to prevent it before it causes any serious harm. For small slopes, the best way to fight erosion is by creating a trench that guides runoff away from your yard and downhill. This trench should be perpendicular to the direction of the running water. For larger slopes, consider turning them into terraces. You can even build a paved flume or lined channel along gully heads to redirect runoff. This will reduce erosion and make your slope safer to farm on. But be sure to grade the slope carefully so it’s not too steep.

Mulching Errors

Mulching offers a multitude of benefits for landscapes including conserving soil moisture, controlling weeds and decreasing erosion. However, too much mulch or mulching it the wrong way can cause significant damage to your landscaping. Overmulching can be particularly harmful to trees and shrubs, leading to a slow decline and death. Too much mulch can smother roots, prevent oxygen exchange and create a pathway for pests and diseases. It also can encourage root rot and reduce the effectiveness of your irrigation system. Many people mistakenly pile up a lot of mulch against the trunk or stem of their plants and shrubs. This is known as “volcano mulching,” and it should be avoided at all costs. Creating a mulch volcano around trees is an expensive waste of time and money. It also smothers the tree’s roots, promotes root rot and causes the development of girdling roots.

Insect Infestation

Insect infestations are another common problem that can take a toll on the landscaping of a property. Many pests have very tiny body structures that enable them to hide beneath landscape stones, and their damage can be quite costly. In order to avoid this problem, it’s important to know how to spot the warning signs of an insect infestation in your landscape. Some of the more obvious signs include plants that have been damaged, mole holes in your lawn and gnawing on grass blades. Other signs of pest infestation can be hard to detect. Often, they’re nocturnal and don’t cause any visible damage. However, if they’re in high numbers, it could mean they’ve taken over your landscape.

Poor Planning

It’s no secret that a well maintained yard or garden can make a home look snazzy. But that doesn’t mean you should take shortcuts when it comes to the task of enhancing your property. One of the smarter moves a home owner can make is hiring a professional landscaping company to oversee the design and maintenance of your prized possession. With the right advice, you can rest assured your landscape will be a show stopper for years to come. But, if you’re going to go all out and invest in the best in class tools and equipment, you should do your homework before launching into your garden. The key to success is planning and the best time management techniques. It’s the little things that count.