When it comes to your outdoor space, you know exactly what you want but are not quite sure how to go about getting the projects done. While there are some outdoor projects that you can do on your own, others will undoubtedly require a professional landscape company. Now, taking care of your landscaping on your own is quite rewarding; it will improve your curb appeal and improve your property value, but there are mistakes you can make, and there will be challenges. Some of the issues you might have to deal with are quite trivial, but others could create even more problems down the road. As a landscape design and build company, we have seen just about every mistake homeowners make with their landscape. Here are a few examples of landscape mistakes homeowners make and how to avoid them if possible.
Plant and Planting Mistakes
One huge mistake that homeowners make when adding trees and bushes to their property is planting them way too close to their house. There are several problems that can occur when plants are too close to your house; many of these problems won’t crop up for months, or even years; for example, young trees will get taller and overgrown trees can come in contact with your roof and other parts of your home. In addition, there is the possibility that if left unchecked, that overgrown tree could cause damage to your roof. At the very least, it is going to shed leaves in the fall and probably clog up your gutter.
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The roots of the trees you plant too close to your home could cause damage to the very foundation of your home. In addition, bushes and other plants too close to your house can rub against your paint and cause damage. Lastly, plants attract all sorts of insects and other pests. As such, having plants too close to your home makes it far easier for these pests to gain entrance into your home. That is definitely something you want to avoid.
Obviously, the way to avoid this mistake is not to plant anything too close to your home. But don’t feel bad; it’s a common mistake many homeowners make, and it can be avoided by hiring a professional to do your planting.
Another mistake some homeowners make when landscaping is planting the wrong kind of plants. It would be really nice if you could just plant whatever you wanted in your yard, and it would thrive. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. You need to understand that plants only thrive in conditions that are ideal for them. For example, a plant that thrives in a hot and humid climate won’t do very well in Northern Colorado. The best way to avoid this mistake is to do plenty of research on the best plants for our climate. Then, of course, if you were to hire a landscape design company, they know precisely which type of plants thrive in our climate, so you get a diverse landscape.
Forgetting the Front
Some homeowners get caught up in maintaining their backyard, perhaps because that is where we spend most of our time when outdoors. The problem is that the front yard doesn’t get enough attention. The backyard is where you grill, where the children play, and where your company hangs out when you have them over, so it makes sense that you spend a lot of time making it look nice. You might have an amazing backyard, but with a little extra work, you could have an amazing front yard as well.
It is important to spend some time and effort on your front yard for a couple of reasons. First of all, your front yard is a critical aspect of your home’s overall curb appeal. This is especially important if you are going to sell your home in the near future. And even if you aren’t planning on selling your home, your neighbors will appreciate a visually appealing front yard.
Design and Function
How your outdoor space looks is a critical aspect of landscaping. Of course, you want an aesthetically appealing yard; that is something that is important for homeowners. However, you also want a yard that functions well, which is more difficult to achieve when you do your own landscaping. Some homeowners make mistakes by placing shrubs or other plants in pathways or placing flowerbeds where the kids like to play.
The best way to avoid this mistake is by making a list of how you and your family use your backyard currently. Make sure that you take all family members into account, even the family pets. For example, it wouldn’t be a good idea to place a garden right in the same spot where Fido likes to do his business. You also might want to consider how a potential future buyer of your home might utilize the yard. You don’t really want to do anything so out of the ordinary that it could affect your ability to sell your home.
Of course, the easiest way to avoid making any mistakes in landscaping is by hiring a professional to do the work for you. Landscape projects aren’t as expensive as you might think, and the results will be simply amazing. Just stop and think about how good your yard can look and how well it will function. All you need to do is contact us for a quote, and we can get things rolling.