Greensboro Landscaping is the creative design and maintenance of outdoor spaces. It increases property value, improves functionality, and offers environmental benefits.
Begin with a small project that doesn’t break the bank, such as mulching, planting a flower bed or adding a simple path. Focus on creating a flow and scale for your landscape.
Planting beds are an important part of any garden. When they are properly prepared and mulched, they make the perfect place for vegetables to grow strong and healthy. Vegetables planted in poorly prepared soil will not produce as well and may be more susceptible to insect infestation and disease. In addition to adding nutrients, a good layer of mulch helps suppress weed growth and keeps soil temperatures lower. It is recommended to use organic mulches, such as hay or wood chips, as synthetic and inorganic materials are more likely to acidify the soil.
Before digging in a planting bed, it is highly recommended to check for any buried utility lines. Most areas have a number that you can call to determine the location of any lines. It is also a good idea to lay down soaker hoses or drip irrigation in each bed so that you can water plants at their roots rather than splashing water on foliage, which can lead to the spread of diseases.
A brand new bed can be prepped by simply putting down 2-3 inches of compost and turning it into the soil. This will also help kill existing weeds and promote healthier, more vigorous plants. In beds that already contain perennials, bulbs or shrubs, it is a bit trickier as the existing vegetation must be carefully worked around to prevent harming their roots. However, adding a layer of organic material is still beneficial for all types of soils.
The best time to work in the garden is when the soil is moist, but not wet. This way you can easily dig and work without damaging the fragile soil structure.
Lawns
In our culture, perfectly manicured lawns are a status symbol. They adorn public buildings like courts, museums and administrative centers, as well as the front yards of residential houses. When a homeowner has a beautiful green lawn, it says to everyone that they are wealthy and successful in business, as well as keeping up with the latest trends in fashion, architecture and design.
The truth is, lawns are not just a status symbol; they serve a lot of different purposes, both social and ecological. Often, people are unaware of the positive impact that a healthy, eco-friendly lawn can have on their home and community. Let’s explore a few common misconceptions about lawns, and then address some ways to improve your lawn and reduce your carbon footprint.
Lawn Myth #1: Lawns are a monoculture, and don’t support biodiversity
Most modern lawns consist of a single variety of grass. If you look at your yard, it is almost entirely green. If a few weeds or wild flowers manage to creep in, most homeowners will wage war with herbicides and trowels, killing them off and replacing them with more grass. Monocultures are not very sustainable, and can lead to serious environmental problems.
When it rains, healthy grass and weeds act as natural filters to slow the flow of stormwater and keep sediment, chemicals, nutrients and other pollutants from reaching lakes and rivers. Water filtered through grass is also less acidic, reducing the amount of toxins in water bodies.
Grass absorbs neighborhood noise and reduces glare, making it the ideal place for kids and pets to play. Additionally, a soft surface of grass provides cushioning against falls and helps prevent injury. It’s important for people to have access to green spaces, both urban and suburban, to help them feel connected to the natural world, reduce stress levels, and increase Vitamin D exposure.
A lawn is the best option for reducing heat islands, which are caused by excessive use of paved surfaces. In urban areas, where there is an overabundance of concrete and asphalt, a lawn can cool adjacent surfaces by up to 14 degrees Fahrenheit. This helps reduce the energy used to power air conditioning, as well as the environmental impacts associated with cooling these surfaces.
Water Features
A water feature can be a tranquil centerpiece to your garden and provide a place to unwind. They can range from a small container pond on your deck to a constructed waterfall and fountain in a water garden. Creating a water feature in your backyard is not only a beautiful addition to your landscaping but can also help draw beneficial wildlife to your yard. Water features can help mask noise, attract birds and butterflies, create a calming atmosphere, and more.
The Sound of Water
Water features create the soothing sound of flowing water, which helps calm the mind and rejuvenate the spirit. The sounds of water can also mask unwanted noise from nearby traffic, neighbors, or other sources. They can be built in a variety of styles, from natural rock waterfalls that produce a gushing sound to sheetfall waterfalls that are quieter.
Many water features have multiple settings to allow you to control the mood and volume. The flow rate is also important to consider as the speed of the water can influence the mood and atmosphere. A rushing waterfall may be more dramatic, while a bubbling bird bath might be more relaxing.
While a water feature is a great way to create a relaxing outdoor space, you must keep in mind that it requires regular maintenance to keep the water clean and free of debris. For example, it is necessary to regularly clean your pond to ensure that no harmful algae is growing inside and a skimmer can be used to remove leaves and other debris from the surface of the water. Depending on the location of your water feature, you may want to avoid putting it directly underneath trees that drop large amounts of leaves that can clog or tarnish your water feature.
As a general rule, it is best to work with a professional when creating and installing a landscape water feature. This will ensure that your water feature is properly installed, maintained, and cared for. In addition, a professional can help you determine whether or not a particular water feature is right for your home and can make suggestions about how to enhance the appearance of your backyard with additional landscaping.
Lighting
Trees are among the many landscape features that can benefit from proper illumination. Lighting adds depth, dimension and a touch of personalization that can make your trees glow, particularly if you use a low-kelvin light with a dimmer switch to play with brightness levels and colors over the course of the year.
There are two main lighting techniques for this feature: silhouetting and shadowing. Silhouetting emphasizes the shape of a softscaping element at night by washing it with light from behind and highlighting its form. This can be accomplished with a pathway light or an accent fixture that is positioned in the ground at the base of a feature. Alternatively, you can shadow your plants by washing them with light from the front and focusing the illumination on their leafage or trunks. This works best with taller trees, or if the feature has a vertical element to it like a fence or wall.
Residential properties can also reap the benefits of lighting trees, shrubs and other greenery on their property. Unlike commercial landscapes, which must consider brand awareness and attention-grabbing practicality in addition to soft ambiance, the goal for homeowners is largely the same: creating a calming environment at night. A few strategic lights for perimeter bushes, featured trees and ground-level plants (with wall washing) can turn your backyard into a paradise of tranquility when the sun goes down.
As you can see, a successful landscaping plan requires the right balance of hardscaping and softscaping. An experienced designer can help you incorporate both into a design that fits your needs and complements the natural surroundings of your home. To get started, contact us to schedule a free consultation with one of our experts today. Our team is happy to answer your questions and provide more insight into our wide range of landscape services.
