Landscape Advice For Seattle, Bothell, And Mill Creek
Posted by MarkCooper012 on January 19th, 2016
Bark. Bark is usually applied to a garden for aesthetic reasons and to retard weed growth. Bark is composed of dyed wood pieces that require large amounts of nitrogen to be broken down. So bark takes nutrients out of your soil. Bark can also have high salt content since the trees the bark came from might have floated in salt water. For these reasons, I prefer mulch.
Mulch. The two main reasons for mulching your landscape is to provide a barrier for shading out weed seeds, and to retain moisture for your expensive plants. After the mulch breaks down, organic material is also provided for your soil. Mulches reduce labor, pesticide and water usage. Mulches help encourage nutrient recycling and the soil web.
Sheet Mulching. This method is used to cover landscaped areas to discourage weed growth without chemicals. Lay down newspapers or cardboard [a biodegradable filter fabric] then cover with mulch. This provides a barrier between germinating seeds and the mulch. Also used to replace lawn area for future flower beds.
Weed Fabric. Good intentions, bad results. Most homeowners put this black, cloth-like material down and then cover the fabric with bark or mulch. What happens is fine particles of bark or organic material clog the pores of these mats. This prevents water and oxygen from getting to your soil. The soil becomes sterile and lifeless. Removing these mats is very labor intensive and expensive.
HardScape Weeds. Do not spray weeds on a hardscape such as concrete. Many herbicide sprays are built to dissipate in soil, but on concrete they just wash away (into creeks and rivers). Alternatives could be pouring boiling water on the weed or burning with a weed torch.
Gravel Paths. If you are going to put in a gravel path, I suggest 5/8 size gravel or a material you can later pave over if the need arises. Do it once and get a solid working base you can add to.
Lawn Edging. It is best to have a curvilinear lawn edge on a flowerbed. When a straight edge gets out of line its easy to notice and hard to correct.
Landscape Consultants. It is well worth a homeowner's time to call a landscape consultant. The consultant will tell you about the plants you have, including growth habits, pests, proper placement, special nutrional needs, transplanting, botanical names and additions you can make to your garden. It is best to record this consultation using a camcorder for later viewing. Ruth, Falaah or Crissy are recommended for this type of consultation. Expect to pay -60 dollars an hour for this service.
Pests and Predators. Just because a pest such as aphids or other chewing insects is present doesn't mean you have to spray pest control immediately. It takes awhile but predators lag behind pest infestation. In other words, something often comes along and eats your pests! First decide how much pest damage you or the plant will tolerate, then decide if action is required. Put chewing tobacco in an old nylon, let it soak overnight in your sprayer, then apply in the morning. This will repel many chewing insects. Reapply after rain or as needed.
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