Overwhelmed at the challenge of landscaping a new home? Paul James suggests the following strategies:
- The first consideration is the lawn. When talking to your contractor, make sure the topsoil will stay where it is. If the native topsoil isn't all that good, there's not a thick enough layer to support turf grass or your lot is sitting on top of rocks, you might want to consider having a few loads of topsoil brought in.
- Once construction is finished but before you have anything planted, have the entire lot aerated. Heavy foot traffic can compact the soil so completely that even once-fluffy soil becomes hard as a rock, which creates drainage problems and makes it tough for plants--especially trees--to survive.
- More and more developers are realizing that mature trees add to the value of potential home sites; however, those trees may suffer and eventually die if they're not properly protected. Unless steps are taken to save a tree, it may be left in harm's way. The simplest step is to construct a fence around trees you want to save. That will keep heavy equipment away and reduce the risk of injury to the tree trunk and compaction of the surrounding soil. For every inch of trunk diameter measured at chest height, the fence should extend one foot away from the trunk. If a tree measures 14 inches in diameter, for example, the fence needs to extend 14 feet from the trunk. That may seem like a sizable area, but it's the recommended minimum.
If the protected area lies in the path of planned gas, water and sewer lines or automatic sprinkler lines, all of which require deep trenching, check with your contractor about rerouting those lines if possible. Cutting roots, especially those larger than one inch in diameter, can spell disaster for a tree. Also consider the placement of paved surfaces such as sidewalks and driveways: tree roots can be cut during installation, though not as deeply.
- Sometimes lawns and flower beds have drainage problems that cause standing water or damaging erosion after heavy rains. Most such problems could be avoided with a little extra grading work just before construction is completed.
- Before spending a dime on foundation shrubs, specimen trees or perennials for your new home, prepare the planting beds thoroughly. By the end of the construction process, the ground is usually compacted, its pH is probably a little high because of cement used to pour footings and foundations, and it's contaminated with everything from nails to chunks of drywall to just plain trash. Pile on lots of your favorite organic matter such as compost, leaf mold or barnyard manure, or mix them all together. Make sure beds slope gently away from the house for good drainage, then lightly mulch beds after planting to prevent erosion from wind and rain.
