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Started By
Message
re: Landscapers / Interior designers. Help with front of my house
Posted on 10/6/14 at 4:09 pm to LordSnow
Posted on 10/6/14 at 4:09 pm to LordSnow
Do the work yourself. You'll learn a LOT and you'll be extremely satisfied with the end product because you'll be emotionally attached moreso than if you have a landscaper do it (and charge you a fortune in the process). This summer I completely renovated our front landscaping and I'm extemely glad that I tackled the project myself rather than contract it out.
SUGGESTIONS:
First, take photos of the front of the house and print photos on paper.
Second, note how much sun and shade your landscaping receives. Some plants/shrubs thrive in shade, others in full sun.
Third, visit a reputable nursery and consult with one of their landscapers (usually free, feel free to tip them for advice). Show them the photos of the space and provide them shade/sun estimates.
Next, choose your plants/shrubs/trees based 100 percent on zone and sun/shade. Unfortunately, most nurseries also sell plants that don't thrive in the growth zone that you live in, which means that if you plant something from another zone, it may thrive during the growing months, but it may die during the colder months.
Personally, I like a wide variety of grasses both in color and width/height. Mix in flowering bushes and think about bushes that bloom at different times of the year. Some bloom in the spring, some bloom multiple times during the summer and fall. A little research means that you can have vibrant color most of the year. Also, mix in some evergreen as well. everygreen looks good all year.
If you don't own a trailer, rent a uhaul trailer ($15 per day) and purchase your own top soil and rock or mulch. FYI, cedar mulch looks great and repels bugs that can destroy your plants or invade your home. Stay away from the dyed red mulch.
Next, purchase a water soaker hose system (ie. Lowes or online).
Plant your grasses, shrubs, and trees and then organize your soaker hose system so that each plant receives the optimum amount of water at the roots.
Once you have implemented your soaker system throughout your landscaping, finish the project by spreading out your rock or mulch. If you choose mulch, make sure to lay down at least 3 inches. DO NOT BRING ROCK/MULCH UP TO BASE OF PLANT. LEAVE THE BASE OF THE PLANT/BUSH EXPOSED SO THAT IT RECEIVES PROPER WATER AND TO PREVENT FUNGUS FROM HARMING THE PLANT BASE.
No need to use landscaping fabric. Most landscapers recommend against landscaping fabric because if improperly done, your plants won't receive enough water. If you lay down enough mulch or rock, you won't need to worry about too many weeds. Once a week you can spot check and pull the few weeds that may pop through your landscaping mulch or rock.
Good luck!
SUGGESTIONS:
First, take photos of the front of the house and print photos on paper.
Second, note how much sun and shade your landscaping receives. Some plants/shrubs thrive in shade, others in full sun.
Third, visit a reputable nursery and consult with one of their landscapers (usually free, feel free to tip them for advice). Show them the photos of the space and provide them shade/sun estimates.
Next, choose your plants/shrubs/trees based 100 percent on zone and sun/shade. Unfortunately, most nurseries also sell plants that don't thrive in the growth zone that you live in, which means that if you plant something from another zone, it may thrive during the growing months, but it may die during the colder months.
Personally, I like a wide variety of grasses both in color and width/height. Mix in flowering bushes and think about bushes that bloom at different times of the year. Some bloom in the spring, some bloom multiple times during the summer and fall. A little research means that you can have vibrant color most of the year. Also, mix in some evergreen as well. everygreen looks good all year.
If you don't own a trailer, rent a uhaul trailer ($15 per day) and purchase your own top soil and rock or mulch. FYI, cedar mulch looks great and repels bugs that can destroy your plants or invade your home. Stay away from the dyed red mulch.
Next, purchase a water soaker hose system (ie. Lowes or online).
Plant your grasses, shrubs, and trees and then organize your soaker hose system so that each plant receives the optimum amount of water at the roots.
Once you have implemented your soaker system throughout your landscaping, finish the project by spreading out your rock or mulch. If you choose mulch, make sure to lay down at least 3 inches. DO NOT BRING ROCK/MULCH UP TO BASE OF PLANT. LEAVE THE BASE OF THE PLANT/BUSH EXPOSED SO THAT IT RECEIVES PROPER WATER AND TO PREVENT FUNGUS FROM HARMING THE PLANT BASE.
No need to use landscaping fabric. Most landscapers recommend against landscaping fabric because if improperly done, your plants won't receive enough water. If you lay down enough mulch or rock, you won't need to worry about too many weeds. Once a week you can spot check and pull the few weeds that may pop through your landscaping mulch or rock.
Good luck!
This post was edited on 10/6/14 at 4:22 pm
0
Posted on 10/6/14 at 4:18 pm to LordSnow
Ok, so we received another good offer on Craigslist from a new potential roommate/ renter.
This one comes from a woman who calls herself "Esmerelda the Donkey Queen". She will do anything you want and said butt stuff is no problem, but she needs to be able to keep her donkey tied up in your backyard until she finds a new bar to work at.
She used to work down in Tijuana doing the donkey show but the cartels scared her off. She said she doesn't need a long term arrangement just a few weeks. Should we tell her yes?
This one comes from a woman who calls herself "Esmerelda the Donkey Queen". She will do anything you want and said butt stuff is no problem, but she needs to be able to keep her donkey tied up in your backyard until she finds a new bar to work at.
She used to work down in Tijuana doing the donkey show but the cartels scared her off. She said she doesn't need a long term arrangement just a few weeks. Should we tell her yes?
Posted on 10/6/14 at 4:48 pm to tree
quote:
e a landscape architect.
do not do this. waste of money.
Posted on 10/6/14 at 5:03 pm to LordSnow
Look into agarita. It's a native holly-like shrub that has tons of yellow flowers. Texas A&M has some very useful horticulture sites that I've used a bunch to research plants. LINK
Or go to a nice nursery and show them the picture of your house. They should help you get some good combinations of, preferably native, shrubs and grasses that offer differing colors and textures.
Also, pay attention to sun angles/time. If your house faces west you better get something that can take the hot sun.
Or go to a nice nursery and show them the picture of your house. They should help you get some good combinations of, preferably native, shrubs and grasses that offer differing colors and textures.
Also, pay attention to sun angles/time. If your house faces west you better get something that can take the hot sun.
This post was edited on 10/6/14 at 5:05 pm
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