Landscaping is one of the few areas of your house that can get better with age. A well-planned and maintained yard will add to the value of your home as it matures, and a patio or deck can serve as extra living space in good weather. You can define the space and provide a transition from the yard to your house that protects the interior and enhances the usefulness of the exterior. Spend some time in your house looking out the windows--as well as looking around the yard when you are outside--to get ideas for improvement. Plan early for the landscaping projects that can revitalize your yard for many years to come.
Start by looking at your
"hardscape"--the permanent fixtures such as fences and patios.
Since sidewalks, patios, planters, and other such projects often require
some activities that tear up the area (digging, pouring concrete, etc.),
it is wise to attend to these projects before you plant expensive new
landscaping. The challenges can be greater with existing yards than new
lots, because you may be faced with deciding whether to actually remove
plants, sidewalks, or even trees.
Remember the weather-cycle
diagram in your science class, that showed the rain falling on land, flowing
downhill, and returning to the sea? Well, the land around your house
is part of the process. When more rain falls than can be absorbed by dry
soil (or concrete, asphalt, and the structures that have been built on
the land), the excess water flows downhill. If it is blocked, it can form
puddles and create flooding. Erosion occurs when the water flow carries
dirt particles with it. You should understand how important good drainage
is to the well-being of your house; water can be one of nature's most
destructive forces if it is not controlled.
You don't want to track
mud or dust into your house. Consider keeping your shoes and floors
clean by purchasing and installing precast stepping stones if your sidewalks
are inadequate. Your lumber store will carry these, and a few well-placed
steps will save you a lot of shoe-scraping. For more traveled areas pour
a new sidewalk in place, or use brick or stone to create a walkway.
|Patios, Decks, Gazebos, and Sheds||
Adding a patio or deck creates
outdoor living space. Even if your yard is small, it's important not
to skimp on the size of your patio. Do you want this space to extend your
kitchen, or resemble a living room? Remember, if you build any kind of
new wood structure adjacent to your house, never allow the wood to touch
the house. This "earth-to-wood contact" can create a perfect
way for termites to enter your home. This goes for fences, decks, and
stacks of loose wood. Do not let them touch the ground and your house
at the same time. Most decks are supported by a concrete pad or pier blocks,
which should extend at least six inches from the soil before the wood
some parts of the country fences are a must, but not all new houses
are sold with fencing complete. Existing fences can be a casualty of high
winds and wet soil. When the posts have begun to break off at the base or
the fence is leaning, it is time to repair or replace it. Whether you plan
to build it yourself or hire someone, there are some basic facts to consider.
* There are several styles of wood fences to choose from, but the most important part of a fence to consider first is the posts. They should be eight feet apart or closer, to properly support the rails and fence boards. Redwood four-by-fours are common, but pressure-treated four-by-fours will last longer.
* It is also important to dig a deep enough hole. Try to dig at least two feet down (don't fudge, use a tape measure), and use a level to make sure the post is set in straight. Pouring concrete around the posts is less important than setting them deep enough, but can help increase the stability of the fence.
* Choose redwood fence boards with as little yellow color as possible--and as few knots as possible. See your local lumber stores for samples of different styles of fence boards. If your damaged fence is between you and your neighbors, approach them about splitting the cost before you do any work. People are less inclined to contribute for something that is already in place.
If your fence has a gate,
be sure it is in good working order. It should latch securely, and not
drag on the ground. If your gate is sagging it can probably be rebuilt
at very little expense, since you may be able to reuse most of the wood.
Sometimes a gate can be replaced using a different style, such as wrought
iron or a decorative shape, to add interest to a garden area.
|Irrigations Systems: Sprinklers and Drip Lines||
Many projects will be most successful if done during the time when the ground is no longer fully saturated, but still not dry. If you do not have underground sprinklers, this is a good time to add them. The ground is soft, and plastic pipe is cheap. Lay out a simple pattern on the ground before you dig, to see if the spray heads cover the total area. See a professional landscaper if your project is ambitious. Underground sprinklers make yard care much easier, especially if you are establishing new ground cover or revitalizing an old lawn. Anti-siphon valves are a must, and timers are wonderful if properly set. If you live in an area subject to drought or where water is expensive, consider a drip system.
Get the advice of a local nursery
for selecting the plants for your yard (there can be variations in soil
conditions even in the same city). Landscaping will add to the beauty
and function of your home. Properly cared for, it will get better as the
years go by. Plant trees carefully so they aren't crowding other trees
or your house as they get bigger. Mature trees can provide shade that
will help keep your home cooler in the summer.
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