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Common Summer Landscaping Challenges and How to Tackle Them

Common Summer Landscaping Challenges and How to Tackle Them

Common Summer Landscaping Challenges and How to Tackle ThemThe high temperatures of summer bring unique challenges to lawns and landscaping in the Olathe and general Johnson County area. How do you know if you’re doing everything you can to ensure that your yard and your outdoor spaces are healthy and look as good as possible?

We’re going to tackle a few of the biggest challenges you might encounter during these long summer days, along with a few suggestions of how to approach them. Remember, however, that even though there are lots of ways to DIY your lawn and landscape jobs, consulting with a professional is often the easiest and most cost effective way of making sure your space looks and performs exactly how you’d like.

Summer Landscaping Challenge #1: Unsightly Plants and Weeds

It never fails: you take great pains to plant the perfect flower bed or you work with your landscape architect to create a gorgeous water feature or outdoor environment, and everything is gorgeous. But then, they appear. Weeds! Nuisance plants, like ivy or thistle!

This happens so often in the summer months because the conditions are just right: you’ve prepped your soil. You are watering (or it’s raining) and applying the right fertilizers. Just as those conditions make for gorgeous plants that you want, they also make hospitable conditions for weeds and plants you didn’t intend to include in your outdoor space.

While it’s not possible to prevent all weeds and invasive plants from trying to lay claim to your lawn or landscape, it is possible to keep them to a minimum. This requires frequent weeding, which can be most enjoyable earlier or later in the day. Try to weed by the root, meaning pull the entire plant from the soil when possible. If you just weed-whack them flush with the ground, you’re leaving the root system intact, which means they’ll continue to grow.

Be sure, too, to properly dispose of those unwanted weeds and plants after you’ve pulled them. Bag them and either put out for pickup or take them to a compost facility. If you pull them and let them linger on your lawn or in your garden, they just might decide to stay!

Summer Landscaping Challenge #2: Getting the Moisture Levels Right

Summer can be fickle. Sometimes it’s too dry and you have to worry about dry soil and burnt plants. Other times, you have to worry about too much moisture, which can lead to unsightly mushroom growth and other issues.

One way to mitigate this issue is to install automatic irrigation systems that will water your lawn when it’s dry. Another factor to consider is proper drainage. Working with a landscape architect firm to create these systems before extreme weather hits is best; but it’s never the wrong time to start.

Summer Landscaping Challenge #3: Not Wanting to Be Outdoors

It’s okay to admit that sometimes it’s just too hot to spend much time outside. Whether that means that you’re not up for pulling weeds or mowing the lawn, or that you want to grill dinner but can’t stand to stand in the sun for that long, there are ways we can help.

One way is to hire us to do your maintenance so you don’t have to. This is a time when you really can have it all: a gorgeous lawn, no matter the season, without having to do the work to get it.

Another way is to let us help you create a space that feels good, even when it’s hot. Think of adding a swimming pool if you have the room or a koi pond or water feature if you prefer. You might also consider a covered deck or patio, so you can sit outside but still be in the shade. The truth is, we love working with clients to find creative yet practical ways to make their outdoor spaces perfect for them. We’d love to do the same for you!

By Lisa Allen Landscape • • • • • • • • • 0 Comments

How Outdoor Commercial Spaces Can Benefit from Working with a Landscape Architect

How Outdoor Commercial Spaces Can Benefit from Working with a Landscape Architect

If you’ve read our blogs, you might notice that we talk quite a bit about how to make your outdoor living space the best it can be. But outdoor spaces aren’t limited to residential areas. In fact, if you look closely, you’ll see that a landscape architect can have a hand in planning and improving almost every area, from shopping malls to office parks and more.

Commercial properties have different challenges than residential properties. Their intended use is different, of course: we live in our homes but we come and go from our workplace. That doesn’t mean, however, that the outside environment of our workplaces don’t impact our daily lives. They do—and because that’s true, we think it’s important to make those spaces as good as they can possibly be.

You don’t have to settle for uninspired, utilitarian outdoor commercial spaces, especially if you work with a landscape architect and landscaping firm that specializes in custom solutions. Keep reading for a few ideas of how you can improve your outdoor commercial space with our help.

Tips from an Olathe Landscape Architect

Option #1: Get Shady

Just like residential spaces, outdoor commercial spaces can feel oppressive and unpleasant when the elements are just too much to handle. Think of how uncomfortable it is to sit outside on a patio on a hot summer day when the sun is at full strength. This is the same in an outdoor commercial space.

At the same time, office workers and others in a commercial building might go outside looking for a break from work or whatever is happening inside. Having a space with a built-in shade structure, such as a covered deck or patio, might be the perfect solution.

Creating a shady space means that outdoor seating is more comfortable and might actually provide a spot of rest and relaxation for people throughout a hectic workday. This not only looks nice; it can also improve productivity and morale.

Option #2: Add a Feature

This could be a water feature or a fire feature. It might seem elaborate, but it’s not. For example, Kansas City is the city of fountains, and those fountains come in all sizes. Water features are proven to be relaxing. The sound of the water from the fountain can also work like white noise does in an office; more than one conversation can occur in a space, but a modicum of privacy can still be maintained.

A fire feature can be a fantastic spot for colder weather months. Businesses with a fire pit and seating might use the space for teambuilding exercises, client gatherings, or for entertaining.

Option #3: Invite the Community

If your business if community focused and you have the space, there are countless opportunities to use part of your outdoor space in this way. Consider a community garden, plant a fruit-bearing tree, or use a hydroponic garden tower and invite employees and others to help themselves to herbs and fresh greens.

Granted, this last option might take a bit more coordination and planning than just building a bench or adding outdoor seating, but for the right business, it could be a great way to invest in the community.

For more great ideas, reach out to talk to our team.

By Lisa Allen Landscape • • • • • • • • 0 Comments

How to Maximize Privacy Through Landscaping

Maximize Privacy Through Landscaping

Maximizing Privacy Through Landscaping

The idea of a wide-open space filled with elements you love might seem like the perfect set-up. That is, until you remember that you live close to others and value your privacy. Luckily, you can use a few landscaping tips to have the best of both worlds.

Landscaping Tips to Maximize Privacy

It’s easiest, of course, to achieve this goal if you are just starting on your outdoor space. This means you can plan for privacy by planting a row of trees, for example, or by installing a retaining wall that doubles as a privacy fence.

If you are remodeling, this is an option too. Sit down and talk with your family and with your landscape expert about what you love about your current space and what you’d like to change. Where, exactly, do you need privacy? Is it for the entire yard, or just for a particular area? Do you want to block sightlines into the space, or remove your neighbor’s ability to see into your windows?

Knowing exactly what—and where—privacy is most important to you will help you determine which elements will work best going forward.

Using Trees and Shrubs for Privacy

An obvious way to make your space more private is to install natural elements that impede an outsider’s view or access. This might be a row of shrubs that obstruct a clear view into a window or a line of trees that prevent people from crossing your property line.

You can also use non-living elements to achieve the same goal. Consider building a privacy panel with additional sheets of lattice or a privacy wall that mimics a fence, but shields a seating area from prying eyes.

Keep Your Privacy: The Landscaping Options are Endless

Truth is, creating privacy in your outdoor space can be an endeavor that is just as individual as you are. You can use living elements like trees, bushes, or vine-covered fences. You can build a pergola that you outfit with drapery that can be opened and closed whenever you want. Or, you might build a huge water element that faces into your space and blocks your neighbors’ views. The options truly are endless.

The trick is deciding which elements you love and then incorporating them in a way that brings you just the amount of privacy you want. We’d love to work with you on a project like that, so please reach out if we can offer options or assistance.