A beautiful yard can be a valuable extension of your living space. It’s where meals are grilled in summer, and parties are hosted for friends and family. It’s where the kids swim and the dog naps in the sun. You’ve put a lot of time and energy into making your backyard a popular destination for summer months. But that doesn’t mean it’s without problems.
Summer Landscaping
Texas summers are humid and hot, which is why pools are so popular here. If you’ve invested in landscaping to complement your pool, you’re probably very protective of it. Browning, dying or sogggy landscape can be frustrating and costly if you let the problems persist. [bctt tweet=”Your Texas landscaping needs a bit of care and TLC to continue providing beauty and function year round.” via=”no”]
Dead Grass
Does your yard have patches of brown, dead-looking grass? There are a couple of reasons this might be happening. The most common is drought. If your grass isn’t getting enough water, it won’t grow! Simple science. If you’ve ruled that out, the culprit could be thatch. Thatch is decomposed plant matter that builds up under the roots. To diagnose this, dig a small (2 inches deep) hole in your yard. There should only be about ¾-inch of brown, spongy thatch. Any more than that and it may be stifling your grass. Another problem homeowners face is over-mowing. Mowing your lawn too often or cutting it too short can stress the grass and cause it to turn dry and brown. As a general rule of thumb, stay right around 3 inches tall.
Freeze Burned Plants
This winter saw a freeze in Texas, which wreaked havoc on landscapes. Going into summer, you may still have brown sago palms or burned birds of paradise. Remove the damaged foliage on your pants and trees, but don’t cut back the trunk unless you can tell that it’s dead. It will look brown, feel mushy, and be easily moved around in the soil. In that case, you’ll have to remove it and mulch over the area.
Soggy Ground
Springtime in Texas brings lots of rain and moisture, but if the sogginess never seems to go away, you may have an irrigation issue. The water retention can also be caused by low spots or excess run-off that can’t drain away quickly. Professional landscaping services can suggest the right solution for your drainage issues, even revamping your landscaping entirely if necessary.
The Value of Curb Appeal
Nothing complements your home quite like lush, colorful landscaping. The green space around your property can add valuable aesthetics and curb appeal to your home, but if neglected, can detract from it. If you haven’t gotten around to landscaping, or just aren’t sure what to do with your yard, a professional landscape designer and installation team are your best bet for a beautiful yard.
Contact Us to learn more about designing a yard with curb appeal and longevity in mind.
