Mcrae Landscaping Inc

What Should You Not Do When Landscaping?

When landscaping your yard, there are several things you shouldn’t do. Avoid weeds, fertilizer that is too strong, and planting too close the foundation of your house are all things you should avoid. These mistakes can lead to a less than stellar lawn. These tips will help create a beautiful backyard without compromising the integrity and strength of your home’s foundation.

Avoiding weeds

Avoiding weeds in your yard has many benefits. For one thing, weeds compete with plants for space, sunlight, water, and nutrients. They can also harbor harmful plant viruses. Also, pulling weeds may cause damage to your garden plants’ roots. You will also have to deal year-round with weeds if your soil isn’t prepared properly. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Here are some tips to prevent weeds taking over your garden.

Avoiding fertilizer

A key part of avoiding fertilizer when landscaping is planning ahead. Trees, on the other hand, don’t need as much fertilizer. They also don’t need to be watered as often. Too much water can kill plants and cause disease. Fertilizer runoff can also contaminate nearby waterways. You can also avoid fertilizer for woody ornamentals. They require very little fertilizer.

Planting too close the foundation of your home

The distance between trees and your home’s foundation varies, depending on the kind of tree you want to plant and the aesthetics you want for your home. You can learn more about how to ensure proper spacing by reading the tips below. If you have a ficus or other tree that has aggressive roots, it is a problem to plant too close to the foundation. Other trees, however, may cause less damage than the ficus tree.

Too many roses

When landscaping your yard, you should be aware of how to keep the roses from getting too many. Roses can tolerate some shade, but most rose varieties thrive in full sunshine. While they will thrive in shade, too much shade will stunt growth and prevent your roses from blooming. Too much shade can encourage mildew and fungal diseases. Roses thrive in soil that is well-drained and has a good structure.

Too many Geraniums

There is a risk in planting too many geraniums in your landscaping project. Geraniums are easy to care for, but they can be difficult to grow. These are some tips to help you avoid overplanting geraniums. You can also read the care and feeding instructions for your plants to avoid overwatering and rotting. Here are some tips to help you grow geraniums in your landscaping.

Too many trees

One of the biggest mistakes in landscaping is to plant too many trees. While trees can make a beautiful landscape, there are a few downsides. They can also crowd your property, making it appear crowded. A second mistake is to plant too many trees together. This can cause damage to your yard’s structure. Trees can be beautiful and reduce stress, as well as lower your heating and cooling costs.

Planning is the First Step in Landscaping

Planning is the first stage in landscaping. These are some key tips to help you plan and carry out your landscaping project. First, consider your budget. This can be based on what you see in your area or from a Pinterest board. You should also consider the area that you will be landscaping. Larger areas may require more landscaping. Even small amounts can add up. To get a precise quote for landscaping work, make sure you visit local landscape suppliers.

Planting trees or shrubs

Trees and shrubs are an excellent choice for enhancing your landscape. Properly planting trees or shrubs can increase the earth’s leafy canopy which absorbs six tons of carbon dioxide annually and releases four tons of oxygen. Additionally, a single acre of forest provides enough oxygen to sustain the needs of up to 18 people. In addition to beauty and aesthetic value, trees provide shade, cooling air and shelter for wildlife. Planting them properly is crucial to their long-term health. Incorrect planting depth is the leading cause of trees dying.

Drainage

Proper drainage is a must when it comes to landscaping. This can be done by installing a drainage system that channels storm water away from your yard and into the area below. It will allow the water to absorb without damaging the landscape. These landscaping ideas will ensure that your yard drains properly.

Low-maintenance plant planting

Planting a low-maintenance, low-maintenance garden is an option if you don’t want to spend too much time tending to your lawn. Perennial plants are easy to care for, but you might need to replant them every few year. Low-maintenance plants are colorful and showy and attract many birds and insects.

Water features can be added

Water features will attract wildlife to your yard, increase visual interest, and enhance the quality of life. It will keep pests away, such as frogs that can cause serious health problems if they breed in still waters. Pet owners can choose water fountains that will allow their pet to drink while still remaining cool in the summer. Water features are attractive to birds, raccoons, or herons who will love to spend time in your yard.

The 7 Elements of Landscape Design

Planning a garden requires that you consider the 7 elements of landscape design. They include scale, proportion, form, color, texture, and materials. Each element plays an important role in the design process. Learn about each one and incorporate them into your landscape or garden. You’ll have a beautiful yard in no time! Let’s take a look at their meanings.

Scale

Scale refers to the relationship of specific elements and their sizes when designing a landscape. One side of a landscape may be dominated by one large component, while the other side might have two or three smaller components with a similar mass. The opposite can also be true. A landscape can work to create privacy and block out views, while providing a natural boundary. To get a feel for scale, think about the size of a typical house and the size of its plants.

Proportion

When planning a landscape design, “proportion” refers the ratio between objects and the overall design. A tall oak could complement a single-story house, but dwarf a small, intimate backyard. Conversely, a modest three-foot pool would be lost in a vast, open lawn. A large fountain could also overwhelm a small private garden but add beauty to a large city plaza. The idea is to compare different objects and see how they relate to each other and how this will affect the interaction between people and design elements.

Form

The design principle of form is to balance mass. To achieve this, the components must be proportional in relation to their surroundings. For example, planting beds should be proportional to the adjoining lawn, while individual plants should occupy space proportional to their overall size. The central fountain acts as a focal point and is proportional to the surrounding space. This principle applies to all landscape design aspects, not just to the placement of plants.

Color

There are several principles to be considered when designing a landscape. Unity is the most important principle. Unity and continuity are created by repetition of objects and colors. However, too much repetition may create a monotonous landscape. To avoid this, try using simple patterns that blend various decors and water features. These elements can also be influenced by the proportions. These principles will help you create a landscape that suits your tastes.

Texture

The first sense we use when designing a landscape is sight. By combining bold, graphic plants with fine leaves, you can create stunningly textured designs. You don’t have to be afraid of texture. You can keep it simple by repeating the pattern and changing the degrees. Textures are important for creating interest in a plant bed. Try alternating plants with different textures to make a focal point in your planting area.

Unity

Balance and unity are key concepts to keep in your mind when designing a landscape. Balance refers to how two or more components are viewed together. Proper proportion is the control of each group’s size and helps to create a visually appealing landscape. Both are equally important. A landscape without one of them can look jarring or unbalanced. These are some tips to help achieve harmony and unity in your landscape design.

Consistency

Consistency in landscape design creates a sense of unity. The design feels safe and secure when everything is the same in size, texture, color scheme, shape, and other details. You can achieve consistency by avoiding elements that are too large or placed in an unnatural way. This principle is applicable to both symmetrical as well as asymmetrical landscape designs. However, it is possible to use asymmetrical designs to create unity.

The 5 Principles of Landscaping

There are five fundamental principles to landscaping. These are scale, proportion, harmony, and balance. These principles can be applied to any type of landscaping, urban or not. Your landscaping design will be pleasing to the eye if you follow these principles. Consider which principle best suits your property. Listed below are some examples of each principle. Use them to create a landscape that will last for years. Also consider how important scale and proportion are to your landscape design.

Unity

Unity and repetition are closely linked. Repeating elements throughout a landscape creates interest and coherence. Too much repetition can lead to a chaotic appearance. Boring and monotonous repetitions can also lead to monotony. To avoid these problems, it is a good idea to use the same elements in a limited number areas. Below are some suggestions for creating unity in landscaping. Hopefully, you’ll find one that works for your landscape.

Contrast

Whether you’re working with plants, stone, or even a mixture of materials, contrast is one of the key elements of landscape design. Contrast creates a dynamic feel when elements are set in sharp contrast to each other. Contrast can create a monotonous feel so it is a good idea to add another type of material. You can change the overall look of the space by adding a different type plant.

Harmony

You must use the same color throughout your landscape design to achieve harmony. This repetition can be found in foliage, stems, or berries. A Nandina can replicate the red blooms of a Camellia in its new growth. The same principle applies for trees, such the stems of a Coral Bark Maple. Unexpected color sources, such the leaves and stems from a Euphorbia or Coral Bark Maple, can be added to your garden. You will see a more fluid flow.

Proportion

Landscape design requires the use of proportions, regardless of whether you are using large or small plants. A landscape with too many features or an inequal pattern will be uneven. Keep your focal point, such as trees, in the middle and make the rest of your property appear spacious. You can create harmony by using different textures and colors. Try to replicate certain features to create rhythm and unity. If you can’t do it yourself, you can hire a landscape designer to do it for you.

Repetition

Landscape design is based on repetition. Patterns and sequences are created when the same elements are used throughout a landscape. Although it may seem tedious, the result is one of calmness and unity. If done correctly, repetition can create harmony in the visual world. Regardless of the style of landscape, there are some things you should know about this design principle. Here are some benefits of using repetition in your landscaping.