Rake Leaves and Debris
Although this may seem obvious, it is important to remove all leaves and debris from your lawn before snowfall begins. If your lawn is left unkempt, the leaves and other debris can stunt the growth of grass or even kill it altogether.
Fertilize Before Cold Weather Hits
The grass will not use the fertilizer during the winter months, but it will soak up the nutrients as soon as the weather turns for the better in the spring. This will safeguard against grass dying over the winter and allow for grass to grow rapidly.
Apply Mulch Around Trees and Plants
A two-inch layer of mulch around your trees and plants will play an important role in protecting them from erosion and water loss during the winter months. Mulch also helps maintain soil temperature around the roots to have the trees and plants healthy come spring.
Clean Out Your Pond
Should you have a pond, it is important to remove any dead plants, flowers, leaves and more before the first freeze. Leaving dead plants over the winter can create rotting which produces gases in the water underneath the ice, potentially harming fish that are reintroduced to the water in the spring.
If you need any assistance with these tasks or you have further questions about protecting your yard for the winter months, we ask that you reach out to our friendly team at Pond Doctors & The Groundskeeper. It will be a pleasure to get to work for you soon!
We’re here to help! We’ve put together a few things you should think about as you decide what you want and what you don’t want in your new landscape design. Have a look at them below, and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
Consider What You Want
First of all, remember that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution in landscaping. The right landscape for you will give you the space and features you need to do the things you want to do in your backyard. If that means that your landscape looks radically different than your next-door neighbor’s landscape, that’s ok.
At this stage, you want to think about how you intend to use the space. If you plan on hosting backyard barbeques and gatherings, it’ll help to invest some time in hardscaping designto create a great outdoor entertainment space. If you want to use the space for relaxing, you might want to consider home pond installationor a pondless waterfall. If you primarily want a space for the kids to run around and play, you might want to skip fragile plantings or intricate gardens that could get trampled.
Consider the Natural Surroundings
Using native plants in your landscape is usually best – native plants often require less maintenance and won’t damage the local ecosystem. However, you should also consider the place where your home sits. Omaha, NE is relatively flat, but if your yard happens to be sloped, you’ll want to think about drainage or even retaining walls. You also want to consider if you want to retain any existing features, like trees or shrubs, and how best to highlight them with landscape lighting.
Consider What You’re Willing to Do
If you have a real green thumb or don’t mind hiring professional landscapers for maintenance, then you can go wild when it comes to landscape design – putting in as many plants and trees as the land can support. However, if you have a busy lifestyle or don’t enjoy gardening, simpler is usually better. You should select low-maintenance plantings that allow you to enjoy the sight of your yard without having to spend every weekend caring for it.
Once you’ve thought about these things, give Pond Doctors & The Groundskeeper a call. Our expert landscape designers can turn your musings into the landscape of your dreams! Get in touchwith us today to get started.
All the work that you’ve put into your yard deserves to be shown off, even at nighttime. The last step that you’ll need to complete your landscape design is your own custom outdoor lighting. Just like with your landscape itself, you’ll need to plan your lighting layout and choose the best lighting fixture for a designated area. Pond Doctors & The Groundskeeper can help you do just that!
Choose What You Want to Illuminate
First, you should map out your yard and designate areas that you want to be featured. You’ll also want to consider the purpose that those lights will add to your landscape design. Do you want to just show off your hard work, or are you looking for practical lighting to help keep pathways and other areas safely lit?
Determine the Voltage Needed
Front or backyard lighting usually includes high-voltage, low-voltage, or solar lighting fixtures. Generally, there is some kind of mix of the three depending on how much light you want to shine on different areas of your landscape. The cost and skill required to DIY these fixtures descends from high-voltage, so you should also take that into consideration.
Select a Light Fixture
Though it may be simpler, installing one type of light fixture around your property won’t provide that well-rounded effect that you’re looking for. Here are some popular light fixtures and their uses.
Wash: These emit a softer light that can illuminate your home’s exterior or hardscape features such as fences or walls.
Bullet: These bright lights are small but beam a strong and narrow ray of light. They are typically used for large gardens, exteriors, or trees.
Well: These lights are buried into the ground and are waterproof. They are ideal for pathway lighting or for lighting foliage.
If you want a professional touch with your landscape lighting, call Pond Doctors & The Groundskeeper in Omaha, NE for landscaping services. We’ll even help with your holiday light installation! |