Where the Best Yards Begin and End – by Adam Haynes

Green Giant Arborvitae

Love Your Landscape – by Adam Haynes, Artisan Landscapes

Now that summer is here, we can truly enjoy our lawns and the outdoor areas where we’ve invested our resources, creativity and personal style. And no one is happier about that than me. If you already have a patio, deck or outdoor area, I encourage you to get out there and enjoy it!

For those whose outdoor living dreams have yet to be realized, there are still a few simple ways to improve the time spent outdoors. And here, I’m going to introduce a word not ordinarily associated with landscaping…“boundaries.” In other words, to feel comfortable in any outdoor area, it helps to know where the boundary lines begin and end!

As much as I believe in the value and use of fencing in the construction of an outdoor living area, I also know that using plants as a privacy fence is a great way to keep your privacy without taking on the commitment and cost of installing a wood or metal fence. Creating a sense of space is essential to utilizing the exterior of your property. If you don’t have a fence, there are plenty of landscape edging ideas that incorporate plants to establish a boundary line around your home or certain section of the yard.

One of my favorite (and green) uses for seclusion is to create a boundary line of fast-growing trees that reach their maximum height within a few years. Having fast-growing trees and shrubs as lawn edging throughout your yard will create a natural fence that keeps noise out and blocks others from peering-in. Some privacy fence ideas for backyard gardening include using Green Giant trees or holly bushes to create a wall. Both grow quickly and keep their dark green colors year-round.

Within these beautifully-constructed boundaries, let’s not forget about the lawn itself. Here are a few tips to keep your lawn and yard healthy during August and September.

Take a Day Off From Watering—One way to keep your lawn beautiful while keeping your water bill down is to cut one watering day per week from your sprinkler schedule. Doing so can reduce your water use by as much as 10% to 15%.

Time of Day—Water in early-morning hours before sunrise to lessen water lost to evaporation and daytime winds.

Monitor Your Landscape—Make adjustments to watering times as needed. Shaded or protected areas may need less water than other zones. You may even be able to water less frequently than you think.

Check Your Irrigation System—Check your irrigation system weekly for broken or misaligned sprinkler heads and drip emitters, which can be prime water-waste culprits.

Mow for Best Results—Each time you mow the lawn, change directions. Set your mower to the proper height to promote a healthy lawn and to reduce water use. Recommended mowing heights are 2 1/2″ to 3″ for Tall Fescue and 3/4″ to 1 1/2″ for Bermuda.

To create your own personal summer oasis, take time to think about these tips and incorporate them into your outdoor lifestyle and love your landscape!

Adam Haynes is the owner of Artisan Landscapes, Inc. Contact him at 541-292-3285, adam@artisanlandscapesinc.com, or visit his website at www.artisanlandscapesinc.com.

Posted August 5, 2013