It sure can! Hiring a landscaper is worth the investment. Not only will you end up with a lovely garden and yard, but it could increase the value of your home up to 15%!

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2. What are the key aspects of landscape design that I should think about?

The success of any visual design relies on adherence to five aspects: color, form, line, texture, and scale. If you plan your landscape with close consideration of these aspects, your landscape will be in line for great success!

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3. What's the difference between commercial and home landscaping?

Landscape design can be very hard and time-consuming work indeed! If dirty, strenuous labor and the arrangement of sensitive materials sounds like too much, we suggest you contact a commercial landscaper.

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4. Once you have beautified my lawn, what can I do to help maintain it?

Grass simply needs WATER, sunlight, air and nutrients. On most sections, grass needs approximately 1-inch of water per week. Deep watering develops deep roots and a healthy lawn.
Try to fertilize annually.
Prune trees surrounding your lawn so that as much light as possible reaches it.
Mow frequently with a sharp blade, and never cut off more than 1/3 of the grass at a time. Leave the clippings on the lawn so they can degrade and return nutrients to the lawn naturally

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5. Should we seed or sod our lawn?

The cheaper of the two is seed. A bag of seeds cost less than a pallet of sod, but sodding is of higher quality and more efficient. Sod will provide nearly instant use, environmental benefits, and beauty. In contrast, seed usually takes a year or so of continuous attention, time, fertilizing, water, and pest control to reach the quality sod has on just the first day.

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6. What are Grubs and how can they affect my lawn?

Grubs are very damaging white worm-like larvae that eat the root of the plant. They start to feed heavily in June or July then will re-emerge again in September and October. We recommend applying Grub Control in May to minimize damage. This application should protect your lawn the entire season.

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7. When is the best time to have my pruning done?

We do most of the ornamental tree and shrub pruning in the summer months once flowering is complete.

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8. The landscape design magazines use the term "hardscape." What does it mean?

Hardscape is a term that refers to non-plant materials and structures in a landscape, such as rocks, driveways, walks, decks, and patios.

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9. How can I use water elements to improve my landscape?

Water elements can make a wonderful and relaxing addition to your landscape design. Incorporate a pond, waterfall, or fountain as a focal point. These can be hard to install, so please consult a landscaping professional first.

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10. Is it possible to improve the appearance of my driveway with landscape design?

Of course. Lining the sides with flowerbeds or erecting quaint stone walls for planting structures can go a long way in making your driveway a thing of beauty.

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11. What are the watering recommendation for new plantings?

1st 2 weeks - 15 min. every day Next 4 weeks - 15 min. every other day Then water as needed for remainder of the season.

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12. Is it safe for pets/children to play on the lawn after a fertilizer or weed killer application?

We recommend that you let the lawn dry for 1 hour.

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13. How important is it to water in the fall?

Even though trees and shrubs don't require as much water as they do in the heat of summer, it is still very important to continue watering.

Applying one inch of rain or irrigated water per week up until the ground freezes is best. Watering should be done at mid-morning to prevent ice build-up if the temperatures drop below freezing at night.

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14. How do I prepare my perennials for winter?

Perennials often provide winter interest and texture in the winter landscape. It is best to remove weeds from the perennial garden in the fall. Cut back only the plants that are diseased or have an insect problem because disease and insects may over-winter in this debris and infest the garden the following spring.

Compost or mulch is used to help keep plants insulated from late spring frosts. We recommend putting down mulch after the ground freezes because the perennials will stay dormant longer in the spring. However, if mulch is put down before the ground freezes, it should be removed early in the spring, usually around April 1st, otherwise the perennials may start to grow under the mulch.

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15. What should be done to prepare for the next season?

There are several things that can be done to prepare for a healthier lawn next Spring. First, Now is a good time to fertilize and replenish the soil with nutrients to ensure a plusher lawn. Aeration will allow for better air and water circulation for stronger roots. Cleaning up leaves and debris from the lawn is a good idea so that sunlight is not blocked from the lawn. Finally, treat all thin spots with seed so that the whole lawn comes in even.

Mikes' Landscape and Design offers consultation and services to prepare your landscape for the winter. This will mean a faster and less problematic lawn come spring.

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