First off for most of you. Get a landscape plan from a qualified landscape designer or landscape architect before you consider softscaping your home.. Your probably saying, ” I can design my own landscaping. Thank you very much”.
To be truthful, many homeowners cannot design their own landscaping. I see planting mistakes all the time. Leylandii cypress planted in small yards to serve as a screen from the neighbors.
Yes they grow fast. Too fast for small yards and it only takes a few years to recognize that Leylandii Cypresses may of been not the best of trees to use. How about that cute little Deadora Cedar next to your home? Not a good choice either. They want to grow 100-200′ tall. Lots of homeowners get cute plants that were purchased cheaply and they turn into disasters. I also see fantastic plants but in the wrong locations. Plants for the sun planted in shade. Plants that don’t like wet feet, planted in wet areas. With a proper landscape design these potential problems, are not even a thought.
Many homeowners don’t understand about soil preparation either. Landscape designers will help clarify what must be done. At Woody’s we always make sure the soil is scarified, adding fertilizer, lime if needed, and install organic mulch incorporated into the existing soil. This is one area that is probably the bones of good softscaping or landscaping and should not be downplayed.
Since irrigation is under the definition of softscaping, I should touch on that also. A irrigation plan or at least a qualified landscape contractor should be considered for your softscaping. What’s going to keep the landscaping healthy in the dry months. With a cheap or inadequate irrigation system, dry spots will appear in the sod and plants may die. Head to head coverage with quality products is great insurance for a good beginning to your irrigation system. Of course the knowledge of what a good irrigation system is, helps quite a bit.
There is nothing wrong with installing your own landscaping, but treat it as an investment. Both of your time, which you don’t want to waste and to the project itself, which you want to enjoy for years to come.
Woody’s Custom Landscaping serving Vancouver Washington and Portland Oregon with quality landscaping.
