Landscaping New Construction

Landscaping New Construction The single biggest problem facing people who buy a new home is soil compaction. Soil compaction occurs when particles of soil are forced closer together by external forces. This can be caused by people, animals, machinery, or water droplets. Compaction of soil may lead to decreased plant vitality. The most common problem around new constuction is from heavy equiptment being operated on the soil. Compacted soil is more prone to soil erosion and leads to faster water runoff. This increases sedimentation buildup in streams, ditches, and waterways. An early symptom of compaction is slow infiltration of water from a light rain. You may see ponding on level ground or fast run off on slopped ground. If your new home is located on sandy soil, compacting the soil may be helpful. It can slow the perculation rate of soils so more water can be available for plant use. If you have compacted soils there are steps that can be taken to lessen its effects. Stay off of wet soils. This is the single biggest cause of soil compaction. Use a push mower instead of a riding Tractor. Return organic materials to the soil and use compost. Confine traffic by use of plants and fences to keep traffic to specific lanes. Over a period of time nature thru droughts that open up cracks in the soil, small organisms living in the soil, and the freezing and thawing of winter weather, soil compaction will naturally be reduced. The best choices of landscape plants are smaller plants with more fiberous roots.

Irrigation and Drainage can be used to help counteract changes in grades made near new construction. Excessive water may now lay where it once did not. If there is a new drainage problem, it is a latent defect to the landscape. Your trees will decline rapidly. You must correct this problem to save the trees. Many people see the decline and think they need fertilizer. Lack of fertilizer would not be a likely cause to decline of large trees near new construction. If drainage is not suspected but stress if evident the root zone may not be getting enough moisture. Moisten the top 6 to 12" of soil with a long soaking over the entire area of the root zone. Do not over water for this leads to a loss of oxygen to the roots. Proper control of moisture in the root zone is the single most important aspect in areas of new construction.

Suggestions For New Construction Plantings

Viburnums We raise over 10 types ofViburnums on our farms from seedlings to 5' shrubs. If you have poor soils due to compacting from construction, try viburnums. Being rugged and hardy, they perform where other plants fail.American Cranberry Bush ,Korean Spice,Blackhaw ,ArrowwoodViburnum ,Chicago Luster,Dawn,Summer Snowflake, Shasta,Erie,Tea,Judd,Korean Spice, Praque,and Siebold.

Lilacs When you say "New construction", I always think of lilacs. These plants are versatile, and durabile. These flowering shrubs have many uses in the home landscape. They are used as corner planting,wind screens, hedges. The soft delicate flowers of lilacs are on some of the toughest plants. Lilacs can survive to -60 degrees f. Many peoples thoughts of lilacs go back to their Grandma's and Pa's house where plants only survived if they could be neglected. They bear old memories for lilacs have been with us for years. Pruning these plants is all that is needed to keep them in shape. These plants range in size from 3' to 10' and come in many colors such as purple, magenta, blue, white, and violet. We usally have a large selection for you to choose from.

French Lilac Korean Lilac-Miss Kim Chinese Lilac Common Lilac Donald Wyman Peking Lilac Large Clump Ivory Silk Lilacs

Proper places for trees around homes. Planning for the future.

Because different trees have different mature heights, pay special attention to where you plant each tree. Planting the right tree in the right place will enhance your property value and prevent costly maintenance trimming or damage to your home. Good landscaping utilizes shrubs and low-growing trees that are compatible with utilities and electric lines. These "wire friendly" trees will not reach electric lines and, therefore, will help prevent power interruptions to you and your neighbors.

Windbreaks - Plant evergreen trees, which can serve as protection from the wind, on the west or north sides of the house, approximately 50 feet or more from the house.

Temperature - Plant deciduous (leaf dropping) trees on the south and/or west side of house to cool in the summer and allow sun to enter the house in the winter.

Typical Wire Friendly Trees: Amur Maple, Hedge Maple, Serviceberry, Eastern Redbud, Flowering Crabapple, Japanese Tree Lilac, and Viburnums.

Note: Planting tall-growing trees within utility rights-of-ways (land over which electric lines pass) will require utilities to trim trees to maintain proper clearance from electric wires. This may result in the tree having an unnatural appearance.

Never plant large pine trees and large ornamental pines in a raised bed 2 feet from your house.

You can see more of Bill's articles at his web site http://www.seedlingsrus.com

B Hirst has been growing planting trees and shrubs for over 45 years.