We can all agree that the goal of landscaping is to improve the appeal of your property. Not only can landscaping help you beautify your home, but it can also provide a source of satisfying exercise in the great outdoors. When you take care of your landscape on your own, it is possible to save money and to improve your physical health. Many times, though, the landscaping ends up not looking attractive, which means you’ve wasted time, effort and money. However, it is possible to ensure a better-looking landscape by following a few tips that can help you take better care of your yard.
First, it’s important to know your soil type. Some plants thrive in soil with more acidity, while others prefer a little more alkali. Additionally, sandy soil and clay soil, as well as the presence of a loamy soil, can make a difference in what types of plants will thrive in your landscape. You should have your soil evaluated in order to determine what types of vegetation should be planted on your property. When you purchase plants that will succeed in the soil conditions present in your yard, you will spend your money more wisely, and you’ll end up with more attractive landscaped areas. If there are plants that you would like to use in your soil, but the soil is not quite ideal, it is possible to improve the soil to proper conditions. You’ll just need to add mulch, peat, crushed limestone or clam shells, depending upon what you hope to accomplish. As long as there is not a great difference in what you have and what you hope to achieve, it is possible to adjust the soil to the needs of the plants you select.
It is also important to understand how much space each of the plants will need. There are some plants that require more room for their root systems than others. If you choose one plant that tends to grow everywhere, and you do not have adequate space, you will find that your other plants may be crowded out or they may choke and die. You want to be sure you understand the spacing requirements between plants. Many shrubs and small trees need to be planted at least three to four feet apart to have enough room to grow. A little bit of planning will go a long way in the success of your landscaping.
Third, one of the most effective things you can do to ensure a good-looking landscape is to make use of native plants. Find out what plants grow best in your area and what plants are indigenous to the region. This will put you ahead of the growing game because the plants you choose will thrive in your climate. You will not have to struggle against natural inclinations to keep your landscaping looking beautiful. If you decided to use non-native plants, be sure they come from a place that shares a climate similar to yours.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you should plan your landscaping around different blooming periods. Different plants bloom at various times throughout the year. If all the plants in your landscaped area are at their most attractive growth all at the same time, your yard will look beautiful for a few weeks each year, but it may end up looking ugly for the rest of the year. One way to help avoid this is to choose attractive bushes and shrubs that look good green, but also have some sort flower. That way, they’ll look good whether or not they are in bloom. It is a good idea to stagger various plants among each other. For instance, you can plant tulips and crocus among later-blooming plants so in early spring, the bulbs will bloom. Then, when those blossoms expire, the next plants will be in bloom. This will help your yard look great, no matter the season.
The last tip is to use wood chips around shrubs, bushes and trees. Wood chips can help the ground look more attractive. Not only will the chips cover the ground, which looks better than dirt, but they will also help keep in moisture, repel weeds, and provide natural food as they break down. Likewise, attractive ground cover, like chicks and hens plants placed around trees and shrubs, can make the area more interesting and pleasing to the eye.
As you can see, a little bit of planning and some know how will make all the difference in your landscaping. Following these tips will make it more likely that your time, effort and money are well spent and that your yard will be the envy of your neighbors year round. If you prefer, you can always have our experts at Huizar’s Landscape take care of any landscaping projects you may have. Please feel free to contact us by filling out this web form or calling us at 619-212-5478 today.
