Warm weather is arriving which means the garden gloves and shovels are being put to good use. For many homeowners, their landscape is of high importance. While taking on landscaping yourself is fun, there are some things that you want to look out for. Simple mistakes are easy to make and end up costing additional time and money. We hope you will be on your way to a better and healthier landscape!
Landscaping Mistakes – Cutting Grass too Short1. Neglecting Curb Appeal
As a homeowner, you are aware of the importance of curb appeal. While we realize the importance, we still seem to direct our focus on the backyard instead of the front. The backyard is important to have well maintained, but the front of your home is what guests see. Making sure you are putting just as much effort into the front yard as the back is crucial when it comes to the curb appeal.
2. Improper Planting
Improper planting is one of the biggest mistakes homeowners make. When purchasing plants for your landscape, it is important to know which areas of your yard get what conditions. Which area gets enough sun exposure, shade, moisture, etc. All of these considerations determine whether or not the specific plants you pick will grow and thrive throughout your yard.
3. Cutting Grass Too Short
Many people believe the shorter they cut the grass, the less they will have to mow. This is a common myth and you end up damaging your yard by cutting the grass too short. An over short lawn invites weeds, insects, and diseases into your yard. To avoid this, most homeowners found that 3 – 3 1/2 inches of length is a good height to be mowing the lawn at.
4. Fertilizing Improperly
While fertilizing your yard seems pretty straightforward, there are several ways you can improperly fertilize. Some of these mistakes include over-fertilizing, assuming all fertilizers are made equal, and not fertilizing at all. If you have questions about fertilizing, search for a local landscaping company in your area as they should be able to answer any questions you may have about properly fertilizing.
Bunny in Yard5. Not Accounting for Wildlife
When picking out plants for your yard, it is important to consider which wildlife animals or pests you have in your area. Many times people look past this and then all of the hard work that is put into landscaping your yard becomes nothing but a meal for these animals. Some solutions for keeping unwanted wildlife out is by mixing in some bitter-tasting plants or putting up chicken wire to ensure your garden is better protected.
6. Landscaping Without a Plan
Another extremely common mistake is landscaping without a plan. Before venturing out and purchasing anything that you think might look good in your yard, you will want to take a look at your landscape and envision which plants should go where. This will all depend on sun exposure, shape, and style of your house. Making sure you have a landscaping plan will also help when it comes to staying on budget.
If you want to save yourself the additional time and money that comes with making these simple landscaping mistakes, call a professional landscaping company in your area. Heartwoods Landscaping Inc. offers a wide variety of services including design, landscaping, hardscaping, yard maintenance, and several additional services throughout Peoria, IL, and the surrounding areas. Our team is compiled of skilled individuals who always ensure that customer satisfaction is of the highest priority. If you are looking for landscaping help in the Peoria, IL area, give us a call today. We look forward to helping you turn your yard into an oasis!