This summer went by so quick, we’re already looking forward to next year! Do you want to sit in your own beautiful backyard, entertaining friends around a fire or outdoor kitchen? Now is the time to plan your backyard design. We find that most people like to start working on their landscaping in the spring or summer, but here are some reasons why autumn is the time to begin working on your backyard.

Light Your Yard

Lighting is often overlooked or done as an afterthought, but the right lighting can make a world of difference in the atmosphere of your backyard. You can choose from a wide variety of options such as color and placement. The #1 tip is to not try and figure it out in the daylight. You won’t get a true idea of the look with the sun shining overhead. Waiting until dark in the summertime can push you deep into the evening hours. During the Fall, the sun sets earlier, giving you more time to see what works best for your situation.

After the sun sets, experiment with different colors, types of bulbs, placement, and other options. This will give you a better idea of how your property will look before you commit to something.

Plant Your Flowers

Most people look forward to planting in the Spring, but if you remember this last Spring, that can sometimes backfire on you. Long winters, heavy rains, and other factors can make it difficult to plant your flowers early enough to appreciate them in the summertime.

If you plant your flowers in the Autumn, your flowers will be ready to bloom next Spring. Think of the daffodils and tulips that delight us after the dreary grey of winter. Also, you won’t have to worry about the blistering heat of Summer wilting your hard work. Give us a call if you have any questions about Fall planting guidelines and tips. We’d love to help!

Brickwork is Easier in the Fall

If you’ve ever done any masonry work, you know it can be a tough job and doing it in the sweltering heat of July can make it even more taxing. In the cooler weather of Autumn, the job can be less strenuous and difficult. In addition, leveling the soil in the work area is easier to do in the Fall. The ground is easier to manipulate as it doesn’t dry out as quickly as it does under the Summer sun. You can take your time to set down a good foundation for your brickwork and make sure it will be around for years. Even if you don’t finish it before winter weather strikes, you will have a good portion of it done and you can finish it up in the Spring.

Work Smarter Not Harder

Beautifying your property should be a fun and exciting project, so take advantage of all the ways to make it easier. By beginning your hardscaping project in the Fall you can make the job smoother with fewer hassles. Take the opportunity in the next few months to set up your lights, plant your flowers, and lay your bricks. Contact us anytime to have us give you a hand in making your landscaping project a success this Fall so you can enjoy it next Summer!

Spring was very rough in terms of rainfall this year. Many records have been broken this year for rain, but that does not mean your yard can’t look great this summer! Whether it is your business or your home, your yard has plenty of options this year. You just have to look for flowers, bushes, and trees that do well in wet or even flooded soil. Believe it or not, they exist! We can help you choose plants that will work well in wet weather, just give us a call and we will make a plan for landscaping. Otherwise, we have a list of plants they may work for your yard, especially if you have seen a lot of water or flooding this spring.

Plants for Yards that are Occasionally Wet

If your yard is occasionally wet but dries within a few days, you do not want plants that rely heavily on water. Here are a few good flowers, bushes, and trees that may work for your yard:

• Cardinal flower
• Rose mallow
• Summersweet
• Hibiscus
• European cranberrybush
• Inkberry
• Sweetspire
• Sweet and swamp azaleas
• White spruce
• Black gum

Plants that can Handle Submersion

Flowers:

• Blue flag
• Cattail
• Japanese water iris
• Marsh marigold
• Water iris
• Yellow flag
• Flowering rush

Bushes:

• Buttonbush
• Red osier dogwood
• Tartarian dogwood
• Winterberry

Trees:

• Atlantic white cedar
• Black ash
• Green ash
• Pear
• Pin oak
• River birch
• Red maple
• Sweetbay magnolia

And these aren’t comprehensive lists, just a few suggestions and ideas! Don’t think that just because your yard is too wet or too dry that you can’t have a beautiful yard. You can! You just have to find the things that work for you. As always, we are here to help. Landscaping, maintenance, and more; we will help you make your lawn beautiful all year round. Contact us to get started.