Few things are more frustrating than a messy front yard. In addition to disrupting your curb appeal, overgrown, messy landscaping can also harbor pests and make it look like you don't care about your property. Fortunately, tidying up your yard doesn't have to be difficult. I have spent years learning more about landscaping, and this blog is all about how to become a landscaping enthusiast. Check out these articles about fun topics like planting flowers, perfecting pruned trees, and decorating your yard with whimsical additions. After you know more about landscaping, your yard might become the talk of the town.
The quality of your yard relies on how much maintenance and care you apply all season long. Whether your yard is a small and compact or a large expanse of lawn, you can follow some basic rules for a great-looking yard that will best showcase your home. Here are some recommendations to help you keep your yard healthy and attractive with good maintenance practices.
Regulate Your Lawn's Condition
Your lawn makes up a big part of your landscaping. However, it is relatively easy to keep your lawn looking its best. If you notice areas of your lawn that are not growing well despite fertilizers and regular watering, there may be an imbalance in the soil's pH. In the area where your lawn is struggling, take a sample of your lawn soil to your local University extension office and they will test it. Depending on whether the soil's pH is too high or too low, you can add lime or iron, respectively, to supplement the soil. Unfortunately, the wrong pH within your soil can cause your lawn to not grow well and look thin and unhealthy.
It is also a good idea to keep an eye on weeds and take care of them before they take over your lawn. Weeds will begin to germinate in the spring when the soil warms up, so look to add a pre-emergent treatment to your lawn in the early spring. You can also apply a fertilizer in the fall to help protect your lawn over the winter and revitalize it in the spring.
Plan to remove the lawn's thatch in the spring if you find it is too thick along the soil line of your lawn. This will help fertilizers reach the roots of your lawn. The thicker and more healthy your lawn is, the better it will be at crowding out weeds. So, stay on top of feeding your lawn with the right fertilizers or by also leaving the lawn clippings on your lawn when you mow.
Add Shrubbery and Trees
Shrubbery and trees in your landscaping will help add visual dimension and height to your vegetation, will improve the yard with areas of shade, and will control and prevent erosion. Plan to place shrubbery around the perimeter of your yard or throughout bedding areas and cover the soil with a layer of mulch.
When you plant a tree, always plan for its full height when determining its exact location and planting it. If you plant a tree as a tiny sapling, consider its full height so you don't plant it too close to your home or overhead power lines. Although it may be small now, it will eventually grow larger.
For more landscaping information, contact a company like Apex Landscaping.
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