Your Landscape Questions Answered

Do you know what all apartment complexes, houses, churches and offices have in common? They all have landscaping. No building is complete without some grass, a few plants and some shrubbery to help enhance the quality of the building.

The added value of curb appeal can make the difference when selling a house or increasing the value of a home. Any little bit helps and you do not always need a professional to do the landscaping for you.

It never hurts to have some professional advice or a little bit of knowledge before you start ripping up your front yard, though. In this article we will cover some of the basics of landscaping so that you can have an idea of how landscaping is done and how it can be easier than you might think. A few trees, some nice green grass and you will have it down pat before you know it. Who knows? Maybe you will decide it is a career that you may be interested in pursuing.

When should I hire a landscaper?

You should hire a landscaper if you do not have a "green thumb" and you are not going to have the time to devote to removing the old landscape and planting the new. There are certain steps that must be put into place to prevent soil erosion so it will require at least a weekend of hard work.

Landscaper's are not cheap but you can find one at a reasonable price depending on how large the area is and how much labor you intend to do yourself. If you are going to maintain the area, you will save money as well.

If I decide to landscape my home myself, what are some designs and ideas to help me?

There are many software programs out on the market currently that can help you design your own landscape. You will have to input the shape of your yard and then select from the type of terrain and climate you live in.

The software can give you recommended plants and shrubbery that is best suited for your yard. If you want manmade terrains or structures, you will want to consult a carpenter for ideas or a do-it-yourself website for instructions.

How do I decide which type to plant?

The type of plant you choose will depend on your climate and how much you want to water. It will also depend on how much sun your yard receives during the day. Some plants thrive in the shade while others will wilt.

For those individuals who live in drought prone areas, they should consider planting hardy plants that require little water and actually help conserve the soil from erosion. Many people elect to have rock gardens and cactus if they live in desert climates.

When is the ideal planting season?

The ideal planting season depends on what type of plant you want to grow. Bulbs are best planted in the fall so that they have time to root. Other plants are best suited to planting during the spring months.

Some plants will not produce flowers or fruits until one or two seasons later so you have to prepare for this. Trees will have to go through several years before they become large enough to give adequate shade or produce fruit.

How much will it cost to landscape my home?

Without knowing how large your yard is, what condition the ground is and what type of plants you want to place in your yard it is impossible to estimate how much it will cost. You can generally guess that it will be at least five hundred dollars and can easily run upwards of several thousand for exotic plants and intricate features. A landscaper can give you an estimate for the cost.