Installing and repairing lawns

Soil preparation is the basic and most important step in establishing new lawns and planting areas. If the soil is not adequate for lawn installation you can purchase high quality top soil to add to your existing soil. Often in the soil preparation you have two options for starting a new lawn: seed or sod. Seed is an easy and less expensive way to install a lawn. The second option, installing sod is the quicker way to have a new lawn, it is recommended to install sod anytime from the beginning of the spring through early fall. In  a few hours you can transform dirt into a lush lawn.

Installing lawn edging

Lawn edging is a divider between grass and another area, such as a planting bed or a walkway. Installing edging will help you to contain mulch material in planting areas, keep lawn grass from encroaching on garden beds, and will make your landscape much more attractive and easier to take care off. There are many kinds of materials that can be used for edging such as, landscape timbers, flagstone, natural stone, plastic edging etc.

Creating planting beds

Planting beds provide a place to grow ornamental followers and shrubs or even vegetables and spices. The most common mistake among amateur landscapers is to devote little space to planting areas. Professional landscapers and designers suggest that planting areas should occupy approximately 40% of the total open yard area. Planting beds that are totally installed and mulched need little maintenance.

Building a rock garden

Difficult sites, sloped areas or site with sandy soil are ideal for rock gardens because of the impracticality of traditional lawns installation. It is also a good choice for an alternative to traditional ground covers and garden beds. It will look more natural if the rock gardens will be built with stones that are all the same variety or similar in appearance.

Planting the trees and shrubs

Trees and shrubs not only provide ornament but are structural elements of a landscape, they come in three forms: bare-root specimens are the least expensive options but must be planted during the dormant season, before any growing begins. Container-grown plants can be planted at any time usually come in small sizes. Balled and bur lapped trees and shrubs are the most expensive but can create an instant landscape. The key to success when planting a tree or shrub is to prepare a planting hole correctly. It is important to dig a large hole, loosen the soil thoroughly and add some soil fertilizers.

Planting hedges

A hedge creates a natural landscape wall and provides privacy as well as beauty, when selecting shrubs for hedge you need to consider the fast growing or steady growing shrubs. The fast growing shrubs form a solid hedge quickly, however you will need to prune and shape them often. Steady growing shrubs take at least 7 years to grow a solid wall, but require less frequent pruning. Container grown plants are very popular because of their inexpensive price and easy transportation. It is important to space the shrubs at intervals equal to about ¾ of their mature diameter in order to grow them into a dense hedge.

Pruning shrubs and trees

Pruning trees and shrubs on a regular basis makes them healthier, it is recommended by experts to prune trees or shrubs every 2-3 years. And remove a full one-third of the growth at each pruning. Pruning stimulates health and new growth and prevents frost damage. It is best to prune during dry periods, when fresh cuts are less susceptible to fungal infections. Prune shrubs and buses slightly above the buds at a 45 degree angle in order to encourage a fuller thicker growth.