The Landscape Architectural Design Process

 

Caring For Your Landscape

After making a significant investment in designing and installing your new landscape, the next logical step is creating a plan to care for it so your investment is one that lasts long into the future. What will that landscape care plan look like? It’s different for every homeowner: Some are DIY types who love spending every moment of free time in the yard, dirt on their hands. (We love those types!) Then there are homeowners who want a beautiful home but don’t necessarily want to work to keep it beautiful themselves. (We love them, too.) And, of course, there’s everything in between. To figure out what type of homeowner you are, there are definitely some questions you should ask yourself about maintenance before you even start planning your new landscape

• Are you looking for a low-maintenance landscape or one that requires significant care?
• How manicured will you want your turf and plantings to look?
• How much time are you willing to spend on maintenance?
• Are you prepared for the care required to transition your landscape between seasons?
• Will you be able to do it all yourself — or will you need to hire some help? Once you’ve answered those questions, take a look at some of the different types of landscape and design care you might need to consider.

Lawn Care

Lawn care begins with selecting the right type of turf grass for your climate and environment, watering it properly and mowing it to the appropriate height for the season. Comprehensive turf care also means applying fertilizer and pest control when needed, and taking preventive steps to manage disease and other turf conditions.

Tree and Shrub Care

Taking care of your trees and shrubs involves not only watering them regularly, but also monitoring them for pests and diseases — and treating them when necessary, of course. Seasonal pruning is also important, not just for aesthetics but for your plants’ overall health. If your trees and shrubs are losing color, dropping leaves or shedding bark, you may have a problem. 

Maintaining Your Hardscapes

Many landscaping materials used in landscapes today are more durable and weather resistant than ever, but that doesn’t mean they don’t require regular maintenance to keep them in beautiful condition.