There’s something about an immaculate landscape that gets you. It speaks volumes about its owner, encouraging you to do a double-take and prompting glowing remarks from visitors and friends.
To create a lush landscape that makes a statement and enjoys its benefits, you need to take care of it. Oxnard Lawn Care Landscaping Pros understand the intricacies of tending to a landscape and can give a garden, lawn, or backyard a complete makeover.
But if you’re an avid DIY, here’s how to give your landscape that looks you’re after.
Mowing your lawn is just as important as looking presentable at work. Your lawn is out in front of the eyes of the public and it can affect the overall image of the house if the grass is overgrown. What’s worse, litter can be hidden including sharp objects like broken glass, and eventually become a habitat for potentially dangerous animals i.e. snakes.
If you’re situated in a place like Australia this piece of advice will be more relevant to you, especially if you have young children and pets playing on the lawn. If you don’t have the inclination and money isn’t an object, hiring a lawn mowing service would be an appropriate solution for you.
1. Select Native Plants
Native plant varieties are best accustomed to the climate and changing weather patterns in a particular region.
To ensure such plants, shrubs or trees thrive, site them in a place with sufficient exposure to the sun for optimal growth. Doing so could ensure a trouble-free garden and minimizes maintenance while keeping your plants healthy year-round.
2. Create Clusters of Similar Plants
Did you know that plants tend to group themselves based on their requirements in a forest? Try replicating such a natural setup by grouping plants with similar needs together, making it easier to tend to them.
For instance, a cluster of containers makes watering a breeze. Some plants need bright light, while others thrive under low or indirect light.
Other varieties are sensitive to cold, while some don’t mind a drafty area. If you’re new to landscaping or don’t know how to select or group plants, a lawn care pro can lend you a hand.
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3. Blanket Your Soil
Bare soil invites weeds into your landscape. Weeds compete for nutrients with your plants and, in some cases, win. To avoid this, consider blanketing your topsoil with a lush groundcover.
A good approach would involve planting low-growing sedum under your shrubbery to safeguard against weed growth.
Also, mulch the growing trees to minimize exposure to direct sunlight which will increase evaporation and your plants’ need for water. Mulch also keeps away uninvited guests- weeds- to some extent.
If weeds have found their way into your landscape, you may need a weeding tool to get rid of them. Pull out established weeds, including their roots, by hand. For easier removal and better results, remove weeds after watering your plants.
4. Prune Your Trees and Bushes
Regular pruning takes care of dead, diseased, and overgrown plants so that the rest can flourish. It also eliminates any growth that may be in the way of other beneficial plants.
Besides, trimming your plants minimizes the hassle of dealing with overgrown bushes down the road. As you select your plants, note that some need more pruning than others.
But, avoid heavy pruning as it stimulates growth, which increases a plant’s need for water and nutrients. While pruning trees, leave the low branches, as these offer ground cover(shade) for the roots.
If you need help, a professional landscaper can guide you on the best way to go about it.
5. Fertilize
Adding a top dressing of fertilizer improves soil texture and can help your plants’ roots develop. Organic manure or fertilizer is also rich in the nutrients your plants need, allowing them to thrive and stay healthy.
Along the same lines, nitrogen-rich soils (thanks to fertilizer) promote your plants’ uptake of other nutrients and water.
Also, healthy plants tend to be more resilient and resistant to pests, stress, and diseases. A garden center near you can tend to your need for quality manure.
6. Water
Most of the water in our households is used outdoors. If your landscape needs plenty of water, high utility bills could be the order of the day. And if your area is prone to water shortages, your landscape could take a beating.
In that case, you can consider alternatives to conventional irrigation systems that might be wasteful if your region experiences drought. For instance, opting for drip irrigation would help reduce water usage and result in cost savings.
Typically, the ideal time to water your plants is late in the evening or early in the morning. It’s usually cooler at such times, which minimizes evaporation and allows your plants to take up most of the water.
All in all, landscape maintenance isn’t for everyone. Plus, if all this sounds like too much work, it might help to hire a lawn care or landscaping expert so you can enjoy your landscape without all the hassle.
Such pros can set up a year-round care plan so you’re not always on edge trying to figure out what needs to be done and when. Be sure to pass the compliments on to your go-to pro once your guests ooh and aah at your splendid landscape!
