Now that the winter weather is settling in, you probably have a layer of crinkly or soggy brown leaves that have fallen on your turf. Just because you won’t be mowing as often during the winter, doesn’t meant it’s necessarily okay to “leave your leaves.” In fact, neglecting to remove fallen leaves can contribute to the following problems on your landscape:
- Clogged drains
- Smothered lawn and blocked sunlight
- Lawn diseases from wet, moldy leaves
- More rodents and bugs
Now that we know that you shouldn’t just leave them alone, what exactly should you do with those fallen leaves? You have two options: mulch or removal. The best answer depends on the size of your property and how many trees you have. Unless you simply have too many leaves, mulching is often the most beneficial to your lawn.
Every living thing has a life cycle. Depending on the size and type of material planted, a well-designed landscape can typically grow and mature for about 5-7 years before it needs to be adjusted or upgraded. While you can’t expect your plants to last forever, there are some things you can do to extend its life cycle. In fact, your lawn care in the first 1-2 years after your initial landscape installation is the most critical to its long-term success. Regardless of how big or lavish your landscape is, it’s life expectancy depends on three main elements – pruning, fertilization and irrigation.
Do you want to give your outdoor space a facelift? You don’t necessarily have to re-do your entire landscape. In fact, there are some simple landscaping strategies that can make a big difference in how your front or backyard looks. An attractive yard is one that is better valued and enjoyed!
Make Your Yard Look Bigger
There are ways to make your small yard look larger without actually extending your property line. Landscaping design elements such as using horizontal layers of different heights can give an illusion of depth and space. For example, put low shrubs against a slightly higher fence or add an arbor to your flower bed.
Do you struggle with poor drainage on your property? Every rainstorm becomes a source of anxiety or frustration, as any excess water on a landscape that has improper drainage can bring devastating effects. When rainwater goes in places it shouldn’t or pools in certain areas of your landscape for long periods of time, you may lose mulch, plants and the ability to actually use your lawn. Don’t let a soggy landscape go untreated. A dry creek bed can save the day!
Dry creek beds are much more than just an assembly of rocks in a ditch. They are carefully engineered and installed to not only improve the functionality of your landscape, but also boost its aesthetic appeal. Dry creek beds are a simple and cost-effective way to solve your drainage issues without compromising the natural beauty of your outdoor view.
Just like cooking or cleaning your house, there are certain “must have” tools that you’ll need to take care of your lawn. Whether you are a new homeowner or simply need to bulk up your current supply, there are a variety of landscaping tools that can help you maintain your lawn this year. Since the holidays are here, now is a good time to consider adding some of the following basic lawn tools on your wish list this year.
