Landscape edging comes in an array different styles and there are so many options to choose from.  Depending on the desired look you are going for, the edging you choose for your landscape can have a big effect on functionality and curb appeal. Here I will summarize my top three landscape edging options and how you can install them with your next landscaping project.

NATURAL EDGING

The “natural edge” is the most cost effective landscape edging type. This edge is created by digging down, using the ground as a lip to hold in mulch, etc. Creation of the natural edge is best performed with a flathead shovel. Dig down approximately 3 inches and then “feather” the dirt back into the bed. Clean out the debris (dirt clumps, turf) from the bed space.

STEEL EDGING

For a sleek, clean look steel edging is the way to go. Fairly easy to install, but it may be smart to have an extra hand to help with efficiency. Steel edging can be great to create smooth curves and sharp angles. Being a thinner material, steel edging can be used to help separate elements in the landscape – for instance separate mulch from rock, to ensure a good clean separation.

STONE EDGING

A stone edging is definitely going to be the most time consuming for installation and prices can vary, but this type of edging can add character and uniqueness to your landscape. Whether you are using rock cobbles, brick, limestone edgers, or pavers, the install process is mainly the same for all. First step is to excavate a trench in the line the edging is to be installed – depth of the trench depends on stone material selection and placement (for example, the trench will be deeper for bricks placed upright as opposed to them being placed on their side). The edging should be up about 3 inches from the ground – this factor can help determine your trench depth as well. The next step is to lay out all of your stone material along the trench so it is ready for install. Third, you will want to set the edging in concrete for stability. On average, you will want to sit the stone edging in about 2 inches of concrete. Some people may choose to skip the concrete part of this installation, although I highly recommend it – if you want a long lasting edge that won’t settle and is more stable, do the concrete.

Adding an element of edging is important for a successful landscape. A good, clean edge can really set off a landscape and have a dramatic impact. There are more than just the three types mentioned above, but these are the ones I have found the majority people enjoy. Now you can consider yourself EDGEucated.

Tip: Use a hose to lay out your desired edge line. This helps to visualize and gives you an accurate guide before you start digging. The hose is great to illustrated desired curves!

Tip: Always, always, always try to implement edging around rock – it will shift and it’s the last thing you want to deal with when mowing along a bedline. I usually avoid natural edging around rock – I usually gravitate toward steel edging for this.

Tip: By setting stone edging in concrete you are giving it a great base and also insuring stability. Think about how the mower bumps edging or kids walk along the stones – it won’t shift if it’s concreted in!

Spring Landscaping

Finally, a new growing season is here!

In most of North America and Europe, winter is coming to an end.  In the landscaping world, homeowners are starting to think about doing some clean up and getting their yard off to a good start for the growing season.    Gardening and landscaping are a fun way to enjoy the outdoors while boosting your curb appeal.   Once the threat of frost is gone, it is time to make a spring landscaping plan.

Five Tips for Spring Landscaping

• Know Your Hardiness Zone
  • Depending on your hardiness zone.  Once you know what zone you live in, you can look at plant labels and talk to your local greenhouse about when you can start putting specific plants into the ground.  With a landscape plan from Greenprint Design, we offer the option of plant labeling so that you can install at the right stages. (it can also help with budget when you aren’t buying everything at one time).
•  Get Inspired
  • Whether this is your first landscaping rodeo, or you’re a seasoned veteran, we all have an ideal aesthetic or two.  Get inspired by looking around your own neighborhood.   When you see a home that really looks great, usually there is a significant amount of landscaping planning that highlights the house’s best features.  Small landscaping details can be very subtle, and make a big difference.   Also, browse the internet and find a style that fits your taste and property.   English garden, Japanese, contemporary, native plants?  Whatever your preference, Greenprint Design can craft a landscaping plane that matches your need.
• Plan for Maintenance
  1. Alright, so you have a style in mind, but are you prepared to keep up with it?  Each plant and aesthetic can have different needs.   If you are passionate about gardening and love getting outside and dirty, this may not be a big concern for you. However, Greenprint Design understands that busy people may like gardening, but don’t have the time to commit each weekend.   When you order a spring landscape plan from us, you can specify if you want low-maintenance planning, and we will suggest plants and design accordingly.
• Plan for Growth
  • Each tree and plant that goes into a landscaping plan has needs, and one of them is always room.   It is tempting to get instant gratification by loading up a garden bed to achieve a full, lush look.   However, a few years down the road, plants may become overcrowded and die, or grow abnormally.   Greenprint Design has professional landscape designers that will help you take plant growth and spacing into account.
• Get a Professional Landscape Plan
  • Greenprint Design offers affordable landscaping plans online.  We want you to have a beautiful yard without dropping thousands of dollars on a plan and installation.   By getting one of our plans, you can have peace of mind that you are selecting and installing the right plants and trees for your area and design preferences.   Greenprint Design is proud to work with you, and create custom plans.

Many people think that once winter weather has a arrived, that it’s time to “let it be” when it comes to landscaping. In a sense, this is true since many plants have gone dormant and are getting their beauty rest to prepare to bust into spring. But, paying attention and caring for your winter landscape can yield long lasting results and help to brighten up those dreary winter days. There are two main things to focus on when it comes to winter landscape maintenance: watering and mulching.

Winter Watering

In some climates, there is enough snowfall and constant moisture that folks won’t have to worry about watering their landscape plants in the winter. For those of us who experience warmer winters or drought periods, it is important to take into consideration winter watering – mostly for our trees, shrubs, and lawns. It is especially important to water in the winter months if your landscape was just freshly installed in the Fall.

Many people are “put off” by watering in the winter because of the low temperatures and risk of freezing water hurting plant material. It is safe to water plants when temperatures are above freezing and the ground is not frozen – so it can soak into the soil around the plant. Once the water is applied, if temperatures drop below freezing, it will not harm the plant. So for example, if the ground is not frozen and the afternoon high is 39 degrees but the low at night is 27 degrees, you are safe to water in the afternoon when the temperature is above freezing.

Winter Landscape Mulching

Winter months can get dreary and bland and seem downright ugly sometimes, but a simple clean-up and mulching can do wonders to spruce up the look of your landscape and help protect your plants as well! Mulch acts as a blanket for your landscape plants insulating and protecting against shock from temperature changes.

With temperature fluctuations, plants go through a lot in the winter. In an unmulched situation, a warm, sunny winter day will warm the soil and a shrub may slightly begin to grow – only to be damaged heavily once freezing temperatures return. Also, the “freeze/thaw effect” causes soil movement, and any unmulched plants can actually be pushed up out of the ground from the soil upheaving and moving around with temperature fluctuation. It is recommended to lay between 3-6 inches of mulch for adequate insulation. Many people also prefer to use a weed prevention under mulch. Mulch itself is actually a natural weed control, but if you decide to install more weed protection, use a landscape fabric that will allow air and water penetration – not a plastic base alternative.

So, if you’re a person that enjoys being out and active in your garden, don’t let the winter blues bring you down. Keep the hose handy, clean up dead fall stuff from your winter landscape, spruce up with a layer of mulch, and enjoy your garden year round! If you are in the KC area and want help with yard clean-up and landscaping, in any season,  contact us today.

Knowing what to do to have a stunning landscape can be quite an intimidating task. There’s a lot more to the design process then just having a few matching shrubs. In order to have functionality, style, and flow, it’s important to have a landscape designer. The design process can be multi-stepped for any level of project. Even if you plan on installing everything yourself, it’s always best to start with a plan. Here’s a brief list showing the reasons hiring a landscape designer is the way to go.

1. Idea Creation — Landscape designers are aware of current industry trends and implementing different ideas together to create flow. The ability to come up with several ideas for a space is the unique trait that defines a person as a designer.

2. Site Inventory & Analysis — One of the first steps that should be taken, a designer should analyze the site to be developed. This process takes into account the many variables that dictate how to make the landscape design successful – for example: sun exposure, wind exposure, existing landscape elements to remain.

3. Conceptual Design — Once the site analysis and background research has been completed, the conceptual design phase begins. Concepts are created by placing certain elements (ex: trees, shrubs) and defining spaces (ex: entry place, focal points) to match landscape goals. This is where a designer brainstorms and creates multiple design concepts which eventually gel into the final landscape design.

4. Construction Planning — People can come up with many awesome ideas, but are they build-able? A landscape designer helps to bring visions to life by making sure concepts can not only be built, but also sustained. Also, many designers understand the construction principles of projects, and can help to explain these to clients – for example: slopes for drainage purposes, dig-out and base preparation for patios.

5. Common Pitfall Experience — Experienced designers plan with common pitfalls in mind. Many times people may not think about how a new landscape will affect drainage or the correct method for grouping certain types of plants for design flow. By designing with common pitfalls in mind, it allows for you to save money and speed up the construction process.

6. Budget Understanding — Many people have no idea how much a landscape enhancement/installation may cost. A landscape designer has the expertise of being able to analyze the material and installation time for different projects – from simple plantings to patios and retaining walls. Also, by defining a budget, a landscape designer can create solutions to fit within the defined amounts and offer advice on specific steps for multiple project phases.

7. Contractor Insight — Designers are also experts on the construction process. When presenting the design, the designer should be able to explain planting methods or construction specifications for certain elements such as patios and walls. Designers can interpret these methods through construction documents – which explain construction principles and can be utilized by a contractor.

8. Project Management —Many designers help to project manage many installations. Designers prioritize tasks and help lay out the installation sequence which paves the way for seamless execution during construction.