Fences
Why mark my borders with trees or hedges?
Most of us enjoy having a place of our own and feel it is important to have some measure of privacy within our yard. This can be achieved by planting trees or shrubs near the lot line, patio or deck. While this type of "fencing" does actually keep animals or children within the boundaries of the property, it can provide shade, visual appeal and privacy. Additionally you avoid the industrial or closed-in feeling that man-made fences can create.
Which plants work best for borders?
Arborvitaes are fast growing evergreen bushes that are very dense and can be purchased inexpensively when they are small. As they grow, they provide a stylish, estate-like appearance.
Trees are more costly, especially if purchased nearer to maturity. Evergreen and spruce trees work well for privacy screening. A spruce is similar to a pine tree but has shorter needles and more dense foliage.
Most bushes and trees will require some trimming throughout the year. How much maintenance is dependant on the type of plant as well as your personal preferences regarding appearance.
What are the popular choices in fence styles?
Fences offer a secure barrier for people and animals, and the cost can vary great. The more common styles include:
- Chain Link - While metal costs are currently rising, chain fence link is still a good value at around $14 per linear foot, depending on height, style, and color. For slightly more money, a vinyl covered chain link fence is available. This is much more attractive than uncovered chain link fence and is popular in black or brown. A frequent concern about chain link fence is that it gives a neighborhood an industrial appearance. The advantage of new colors is that they serve as sort of a camouflage and reduce the fence's visibility at a distance.
- Wood - There is a huge variety of sizes, styles, and types of wood fencing. Prices can vary from slightly more than chain link to twice the cost. Also keep in mind the cost and time for maintenance, since wood fences need to be treated and/or painted periodically.
- Ornamental Aluminum - This type of fencing is often referred to as wrought iron. While it can be twice the price of chain link, it provides a more elegant, estate-like appearance.
- As-Is Vinyl - You can achieve the look of wood without the maintenance requirements with this rigid, plastic-type fencing.
What should I know about fence installation?
Someone once said, "The hardest part to building a fence is digging the holes." Still, it's important that fence posts are installed to a 4 ft. depth - the actual frost line - and set in concrete. Don't let anyone tell you that a shorter length is appropriate.
All fences installed by AAA Landscaping are guaranteed.
Retaining Walls
What are the basic steps for building a retaining wall?
Set the first row of bricks on 6 inches of compacted gravel. Make sure you level the row accurately, as this is the basis for the rest of the wall. Then add additional rows of bricks, checking to make sure that each remains level. For drainage, the base of the wall needs a 4" drainpipe. Additionally, install landscape fabric behind the retaining wall and fill with stone, This also takes the pressure off the wall.
What material is best for retaining walls?
Walls can be constructed out of a variety of materials. Choose a product that will enhance the appearance of your home or property, and will also withstand the demands of time, weather and activity. Some of the more popular materials include:
- Fieldstone - Stone walls are rot-proof and require no painting, sealing or replacing. Fieldstone creates a rugged, strong wall.
- Lannonstone - Lannonstone walls offer the same benefits as fieldstone, but use cut blocks of quarried stone.
- Concrete Wall Blocks - The manufactured blocks create a very stable wall. Remember that any concrete block wall over 4 feet tall or near a driveway should be reinforced with geogrid, which extends into the soil behind the wall.
- Timbers - Although attractive and inexpensive, timber walls are the least durable. Make sure that the timber you are using hvae not been treated with a toxic preservative.
- Railroad Ties - Popular a few years back, walls made of old railroad ties are very durable. It's important to note, that many ties were treated with creosote, which is a toxic preservative.
Mulching
What are the advantages of mulching?
Mulch is any organic substance used to cover the soil in planting beds. Proper mulching helps maintain soil moisture, control weeds and insulate the soil, A layer of mulch can even inhibit certain plant diseases. Additionally, mulch helps keep your garden looking neat and attractive.
What types of mulch are used?
Mulches include wood chips, pine needles, bark, cocoa hulls, leaves, compost and other products derived from plants. Hardwood shredded mulch is frequently used in this area. The shape of this mulch has a clinging effect that helps to keep it in place. Shredded Cypress and Cedar are also available. Bark chips are cookie-shaped chunks of bark with a coarse texture. A product called Enviromulch is made from old wood palates that were shredded and then dyed different colors - from earth tones to very bright shades. Wood chips are a byproduct of damaged or dead tree limbs that are run through a chipper and are sometimes available for free through your community.
Cocoabean hulls, pine straw, leaf mold, and mushroom compost are good choices for perennial gardens. They do tend to decompose quickly, though, and need to be replenished more often then other types.
Although some inorganic products like stone, lava rock and pulverized rubber may be promoted as "mulch", they do not offer the same moisture-retention qualities as true mulch and may even create an environment that is to harsh for some plants. However, these products also so not decompose and, therefore, do not need to be replenished often. They serve mainly as decoration and weed barrier.
How deep should a layer of mulch be?
Mulching depth is recommended at 2-4 inches. While deeper mulch can be effective in suppressing weeds and reducing maintenance, it often causes other problems, These include excess moisture, a change in soil pH, sour smells and a build up of toxic acids that can kill young plants. Additionally, thick blankets of fine mulch can become matted and may actually prevent the penetration of water and air and they can even act like potting soil and support weed growth.
How do I maintain my mulch?
Inspect the plants and soil in the area to make sure they are getting proper drainage. Check the depth of the mulch layer. If there is still 2-4 inches, do not add new mulch. Rake the existing layer to break up any matted pieces and refresh the appearance. If mulch is piled against tree trunks or plant stems, pull it back several inches so the base and the root crown are exposed.
What is the best way to estimate the amount of mulch I'll need?
To estimate the right amount of mulch for your planting beds, divide the square yardage of the area by ten. That will tell you how many cubic yards of material you will need. For example, if you have 150 square yards of beds, you will need approximately 15 cubic yards or mulch.
Walkways
What are the basic steps for paving with bricks?
Excavate the ground and make sure that it is level, then compact all loose material. Then compact 6 inches if gravel on top of that to handle the weight of future loads. Install the pavers and add a fine layer of sand over them. Finally, run a plate compactor over the entire surface. This last step is very important because t helps lock your pavers into place. The compactor will seat your pavers down into your base sand evenly (they will drop approximately 1/4") and also helps to vibrate your joint sand down to fill the entire gap.
What is the average cost for paving?
For the job to be properly done, expect the cost of hiring a contractor to be in the area of $15 per square foot, depending on what type of pavers your using. This cost is truely an investment in the value of your home, as nothing has the same look and value as real paving bricks. Many homeowners find they recoup a large portion of the cost later, in a higher selling price.
Can I use concrete pavers near a tree?
On an established tree, if you're not raising the soil around the tree by any more than a couple of inches, it shouldn't hurt. Well-established trees normally get their water from underground sources. Solid poured concrete can actually suffocate a tree by not letting the roots breath, but using concrete pavers allows the transfer of air to the tree. Do not pave over the dripline of a newly planted tree.
