Getting to the Root of It: Common Landscaping Problems Solved

landscaping

Landscaping your garden might seem like a tough challenge to solve when you first start making plans, but if you get some insights and tips that the professionals use, there is no reason why you can’t transform your backyard.

Here is a look at some of the regular landscaping issues that many of us face, including some tips on strategic planting, reasons for encouraging the right insects to thrive and how to tackle a dying grass problem.

Under attack

One of the most common complaints from DIY gardeners is that all of their hard work can be undone when their garden comes under attack from various insects and animals.

Insects, foxes, and deer are just some of the species that can invade your backyard and ruin your lawn or eat the plants. Prevention is often better than the cure, which means taking a proactive approach and deterring these creatures from taking up residence in the first place.

Pest control devices like gopher machines are a good way of ridding your backyard of unwanted visitors and you might also want to consider what plants you use when landscaping.

If you have a problem with deer eating their way through your plants, for example, put some deer-resistant perennials on your shopping list. Foxglove, sage, and astilbe are a few to consider, as are shrubs such as viburnum, forsythia, and juniper.

All of these are plants are going to prove unpopular snacks for deer, which should discourage them from paying a visit to your backyard.

Striking the right balance

It is an impossible task to banish every insect from your garden and it is always worth remembering that not all insects or animals are going to prove troublesome to your landscaping.

A good number of insects and certain types of wildlife could actually prove beneficial and will encourage your garden to blossom. It is a case controlling your insect population through effective pest management, and targeting those that are the enemy while leaving the others to enjoy the garden as much as you do.

A classic example of a good insect to have in your garden would be bees. Learn which plants will encourage beneficial insects to your yard, so that they can do their stuff and prey on the bad bugs and help with pollination.

When the grass isn’t always greener

Nothing is more frustrating in the garden than seeing parts of your lawn refusing to keep their greenness and even dying out completely despite your best efforts. The answer to this issue often lies with how many big trees in your backyard you have and where they are placed.

The fundamental point to keep in your mind is that grass and big tree roots are not good companions, and the likelihood is that the nutrient-sucking tree roots are always going to win the argument.

If you have patches of grass that are always dying out, take a look at the proximity of any large trees you have. If you think that the tree’s roots are the problem, the best way to solve the issue is often to use groundcovers like leadwort or lilyturf, and accept that the grass is not going to grow so close the roots. Lawn care expert Jake Hill from LawnStarter Raleigh, actually recommends ridding the problem area completely of grass and replacing it with a mulched bed. Thus adding color and flair to an otherwise lifeless section of the lawn.

If you follow some of these useful landscaping tips there is a good chance that you will get to enjoy your backyard without suffering some of the more common problems.

[info_box type=”pale_box”]Sean Johnston is a handyman that enjoys transforming gardens and landscapes. His articles mainly focus on landscaping issues.[/info_box]

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