Even the most well-cared-for lawn can develop problems. Fortunately, most of these issues are easily addressed with the help of professionals.
When choosing a landscaper, be sure to research the different options in your area and read reviews. Be especially wary of professionals who don’t communicate clearly about costs or are reluctant to provide estimates. Contact Landscapers Oahu for more details.
Moles
When attempting to achieve the perfect yard, even the most skilled gardener can run into unexpected obstacles. Fortunately, many of these problems are preventable with preventative maintenance and the right landscaping techniques. This blog will discuss six of the most common lawn and garden problems, and how expert landscapers, horticulturists, and other professionals can help overcome them to create beautiful outdoor spaces.
Moles are small mammals in the family Talpidae (also called Moliformia). They are subterranean, with cylindrical bodies, velvety fur, very small eyes and ears, reduced hindlimbs, and powerful front paws adapted for digging. The mole’s tunnels damage lawns by creating unsightly “molehills” of dirt and by exposing soil to other animals such as weasels and voles. They are considered agricultural pests in some countries and may be killed without a permit, although humane methods of trapping them exist.
Weeds
Weeds are plants that grow in places where they’re not wanted, often competing with desired garden plants for water, nutrients and sunlight. Weeds can also cause damage to the landscape, inhibiting growth of crops or interfering with natural ecosystems.
We all want a beautiful, healthy-looking lawn and garden. But when weeds take over, it can be very difficult to achieve the look you’re after. Luckily, there are a number of ways to keep your garden free from pesky weeds. From pouring boiling water to using salt or chemical herbicides, there are a variety of weed removal methods to suit your style.
One way to get rid of weeds is by hand-pulling them regularly, before they have the chance to go to seed. You can also use a hand-held garden hose to saturate the area with water, forcing the weeds down into the ground where they will die off. Another option is to spread a thick layer of mulch, which will discourage weed growth by blocking out light and absorbing moisture.
However, it’s important to note that not all weeds are bad and can be useful in the right situations. In fact, some weeds can be helpful in revealing information about the health and soil conditions in your yard, such as lily of the valley (Lilytris perfoliata) indicating that the soil is acidic or lacking in humus. In addition, some weeds are actually beneficial for wildlife and even help to prevent soil erosion.
For example, crabgrass (Digitaria spp.) is a common weed that can be found in yards and gardens, spreading by underground rhizomes and exploiting cracks in hardscape. However, it’s also a popular food for birds and provides shelter and food for insects.
Other invasive weeds that are problematic include: lilacs suckers (Syringa vulgaris) growing in the vegetable garden, interfering with the crop; nettles (Urtica dioica) damaging crops; and sticky tarweeds (Madia spp.) causing injury to livestock. Keeping your garden free from these and other invasive weeds is crucial to the health of your landscape and the surrounding environment. It’s also very important to avoid over-fertilizing, as this can encourage weed growth and make it more difficult to control weeds.
Soil Damage
A well-manicured lawn isn’t possible without healthy soil. Landscapers use tools like rock-screening rakes to remove rocks and debris from the ground, making it easier to plant and cultivate plants. They also examine soil conditions and weather patterns to spot any drainage problems or areas of erosion.
Erosion can wreak havoc on a yard, sifting away soil and creating channels in the yard. To prevent this, landscapers use techniques like terracing, planting groundcovers, and mulching to retain the soil and reduce erosion.
Too much sun can damage a garden or yard, causing wilting, yellowing leaves, and root damage. Landscapers can mitigate this by implementing xeriscaping, using groundcovers and plants that require less water, or planting trees and shrubs with shade. They may also apply foliar sprays to kill harmful insects that threaten plants.
Erosion
Erosion is a sneaky problem that can turn your beautiful garden into a disaster. It happens when rainwater or wind displaces soil, creating gullies, slopes, and holes. Erosion can also wash away topsoil, reducing soil fertility and making your yard less attractive. Erosion threatens the integrity of your lawn and home, which is why it’s important to address erosion concerns with expert help from a landscaping company.
There are many reasons why your yard might suffer from erosion, but a skilled landscaper will take into account all of the factors involved before suggesting any fixes. For example, your yard might be vulnerable to erosion because it has poor drainage or a slope that is too steep for the terrain. The solution might be to install a French drain or a downspout extension that can redirect rainwater and prevent erosion.
Another common cause of erosion is not having great ground cover around your yard. Grass and other vegetation helps to stabilize the soil by binding it together with their root systems. When there is no ground cover, wind or rainwater can easily displace the soil, causing erosion. The solution to this issue is to plant more grass and other ground cover in your yard.
Other ways to address erosion issues are to place retaining walls in your yard to hold back soil and discourage it from washing away. A professional can also recommend plants and ground covers that naturally bind soil, helping to prevent erosion over time.
Finally, a landscaper can recommend other permanent fixes to erosion problems, such as adding terrace gardens to your yard that contain gravel or other small stones to slow down water flow and help keep the soil in place. By combining these and other methods, you can create a yard that stands strong against erosion — come rain or shine.
Erosion is one of those landscape problems that most people don’t realize they have until it’s too late. Once erosion is a problem, it takes a lot of work and patience to fix it. But if you seek help from a professional, you can build a yard that will stay strong, even through the toughest Wisconsin weather.
