There was a time when most people thought landscaping was little more than lawn mowing, weeding and planting a few flowers. In recent years, landscaping has taken on a whole new meaning. People have learned that landscaping can add to the value of a home, dramatically increase living space, and contribute greatly to an improved home lifestyle.
As a trade, landscaping has been divided into three fields -- something to keep in mind when you consider hiring a firm. Lawn-care companies specialize in mowing, raking, edging, seeding and otherwise caring for the grassy areas. Landscape maintenance firms are primarily concerned with periodic maintenance of shrubs and flowerbeds. Then there are firms that handle landscape construction and planting under the direction of a landscape designer. This last group deals with everything from patios to fountains to rock gardens.
Few people have long-term plans for their landscaping. More often than not, changes in the landscape are triggered by sales on plants at the local nursery or home center. Some of these impulse purchases die before being transplanted and plants that are successfully transplanted end up providing a final look short of expectations. While nearly every household does some landscaping, few achieve the results they seek. In most neighborhoods, truly appealing landscapes are few and far between.
Why do so few people create truly satisfying landscapes? It certainly isn't for lack of trying. It's nearly always for lack of attention to the design. A good landscape designer can help you integrate all kinds of practical and aesthetic considerations into an overall plan that achieves the effects that are most important to you. Whether you want to attract birds, impress the neighbors, or create fanciful outdoor recreation areas for children, landscape designers can help you pull it together so that it really works.
Most people assume that "landscape designer" means "big expense." Not necessarily! Designers can help you work within a budget and can help you implement the plan in stages over several seasons. Most homeowners who do their own landscaping end up redoing parts of it, trying to create the right look without creating a maintenance nightmare. This is not a recipe for saving money. A designer can help you develop an approach that doesn't waste your time and money.
To get help with design, you have more options than ever. There are books on every aspect of landscaping. There are all kinds of computer-based design tools for anyone with basic computer knowledge. You can get great ideas from flower shows and home shows. Check your local grocery, drug or home center stores for magazines on landscaping ideas. Most home centers and nurseries now offer free design help. Be careful, though, as the level of expertise with this "free" help is often pretty thin. Sometimes, even when you do find real professionals in these stores, they don't have the time to fully explore your project and focus on your specific circumstances. This could mean you get good advice that just doesn't apply to your situation.
For the most comprehensive design help, use a landscape architect or someone with equivalent training. These people have studied landscaping from every angle over a long period and are in the best position to help you juggle thousands of variables to end up with the ideal plan for you. Even if you decide to formulate a plan on your own, have a landscape design professional review your ideas before you start moving dirt around or buying expensive plants.
Here are answers to some common questions about landscaping:
Q: Every house on my street has lousy grading. All the yards of these 35-year-old houses slope toward the foundation. Shouldn't the builder be responsible for fixing the grading?
A: When a house is first built, the builder digs a hole and constructs the foundation. When the house is done, he fills in the hole around the foundation. Even if he tamps the earth down, he won't be able to pack as much dirt into the remaining space as he took out. The builder probably sold a home with perfectly acceptable grading, but over the years the disturbed soil settles back to its original density. As it settles, the slope starts tilting toward the house. Even patios and driveways are affected. After 30 years or so, it is often necessary to re-landscape the yard and, in many cases, replace patios and driveways.
Q: I have a grading problem that is causing a damp basement. I spoke to a landscaper who said it would cost more than $5,000 to make the necessary changes. That sounds like a lot of money just to move some dirt to the foundation. What's up?
A: First, it is rarely as simple as "moving some dirt." You're usually talking about moving lots of dirt -- dozens or even hundreds of wheel-barrow loads. The landscaper usually has to deal with existing plants that must be temporarily removed and replanted -- a big job. Whenever you start moving old plants, there is a risk that some will die or that you'll run into other complications. There is no joy in spending $5,000 to move dirt around to address a damp basement.
However, there is another way to look at it. Rather than seeing it as just a remedy to an annoying problem, look at it as an opportunity to do something special with your yard. Take a step back and involve a designer to see if you could create a new landscape with real lasting value. Going all out might not cost you that much more than the $5,000.
Q: I spoke to a neighbor who has an absolutely beautiful yard. She says the whole project cost her more than $25,000! No way I can afford that. Does landscaping typically cost that much?
A: One of the wonderful things about landscaping is that you can do it on whatever scale makes sense to you. What usually happens is that once you have investigated your options you'll want to do more than you can afford. The best solution is to break the job down into phases. You might do part this summer, some more in the fall, another chunk next spring, and so on. The key is to have an overall plan so that each phase fits well with the others.
Q: I once read that kitchen remodeling often makes sense because when you sell your house you'll get back most of what you spent. Does landscaping work the same way?
A: Depending on the project, landscaping can have a dramatic effect on resale value. For projects that focus on the front yard and, especially, the area around the front door, it's possible to increase the value of the home by more than the cost of the project. If resale value is a priority, make sure the design professional you work with knows this. They can help you focus on features that boost resale value the most.
Q: While I would like to have a nicely landscaped yard, I'm not one of those people who wants to spend my weekends raking, weeding, and watering. Nor do I have the money to hire a regular landscape maintenance service. Does it make sense for someone like me to invest in landscaping?
A: Many techniques are available to create a landscape that requires minimal maintenance. Choosing correctly sized shrubs, using native plants that don't need watering or feeding and selecting plants that don't generate much debris can help you create a landscape that requires minimal maintenance. Make it clear to your designer that low maintenance is a key requirement for your landscaping.
by David Hollies, reprinted courtesy of Service Magic
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