Common Landscape Problems (And How to Fix Them)

There are plenty of common landscape problems that can really mar the beauty of your yard. These problems range from something aesthetic to things that can actually affect the over all health of your landscape. When you encounter these problems, it is a good idea to fix them as soon as possible. If you have ideas of your own to fix landscape problems, so much the better. If not, here are some suggestions for making simple improvements to the landscape.

Soil Improvement: Ideally, your soil in this type of landscape will do two things � provide quick drainage and store water at the same time. You can do this by improving your soil quality with mulch and compost. If you have soil with a high alkaline (pH) and low phosphorous content, the addition of bonemeal and rock phosphate can help.Maintenance: Although there is much less maintenance required in tending a xeriscape garden, it is important to stay on top of any weeds that do pop up and ensure your garden is fertilized regularly. Pick off faded flowers to extend blooming times.It is interesting, and educational, to see wild birds interact as they feed and bathe in your yard. It�s also beneficial for them. In many areas, birds have lost their natural habitat and their traditional sources of food have become truly sparse. In addition, they often must compete for available food with birds such as house sparrows and starlings which are not native to North America. Your feeders can make a difference and may help them survive.Excess mulch is a landscape problem that has pant health implications. The problem is especially prevalent near driveways, walkways, and lawns. Mulch often overflows from flowerbeds or gardens, and this can create an untidy look to the yard. Additionally, if you have too much mulch (preferred depth is 2 to 4 inches) you can damage the plants and cause root rot. There are a couple of thing that can be done to prevent mulch overflow (which can happen if you put 3 inches of mulch on top of the soil bed). One of the things you can do is to use ground cover plants along the borders. This will be attractive and help to contain the mulch. Another possibility is to lower the soil level about 3 inches. Then you can add the mulch and rather than being higher than a nearby hard permanent surface, the mulch will be level with it, but still performing its job of plant care.

Solving landscape problems is not too difficult if you use a little creativity. These problems can transform eye sores into beautiful additions to your yard that create enjoyment for you and add distinction to your home environment.

Author: Janeth Duque