People have been doing landscaping for thousands of years. They were doing it before they started farming and even before they had houses to live in or animals to care for. It seems like a simple thing, but there are many ways to do it right.
You may be surprised to learn how much landscaping can cost. Some people think that because landscape design is relatively new as a profession, it’s not very expensive. However, if you hire an inexperienced landscaper who doesn’t know what he or she is doing, you could end up paying more than expected.
Paving
If you want your yard to look nice and be safe for driving on, you need to put down some hard surfaces. There are two different kinds of hard surface that you should consider: concrete and asphalt. Most commercial yards use concrete, while residential yards tend to use asphalt. If you have a lot of trees or shrubs, you might want to consider using pavers instead of concrete or asphalt.
Concrete is usually cheaper than asphalt, although both materials require maintenance. Concrete will last longer, but it does so by compacting over time. Asphalt, on the other hand, lasts about as long as concrete, but requires less maintenance. Both options come with pros and cons, so it would make sense to compare them first when choosing between concrete and asphalt.
Asphalt is often used for parking lots or driveways, while concrete is commonly used for paths around the house or for patios. You could also use concrete for a walkway leading from one part of the yard to another where there aren’t any trees or bushes, or just for a patio or sidewalk near your house if you don’t plan on having a pool or large garden area.
Here are a few things you should remember when choosing between concrete and asphalt:
- A concrete driveway will last 20-30 years, depending on how old it is. An asphalt driveway, however, will last 10-20 years.
- Concrete is stronger than asphalt, which means it won’t crack easily, but it takes longer to chip away at than asphalt.
- Concrete is harder to maintain than asphalt, especially if you have large amounts of foot traffic.
- An asphalt driveway can sometimes be easier to clean than a concrete driveway.
- Both are heavy materials, so hiring professionals to haul them is always recommended.
The price for concrete varies widely, depending on size and what else needs to be done. For example, a path that is 2 feet wide and 30 feet long could cost $1,000-$3,000. A 6×12 foot concrete slab will run you $5,000-$7,500, depending on whether or not you want to add drainage.
Asphalt, on the other hand, comes in a variety of sizes. The smallest size is 9 inches by 36 inches, which will run you roughly $150-$250 per square foot, with larger sizes costing more. If you have a small area to work with, you can get away with smaller sized asphalt without going broke. Just keep in mind that these areas will still need to be cleaned regularly in order to prevent dirt and debris from collecting under the surface.
When it comes to concrete vs. asphalt, there really isn’t a clear winner. It’s all about personal preference and budget. You can try out several different types of surfaces before making a final decision. This way you can find something that works best for you and your family.
Tree removal and stump grinding
There are many different reasons why you might want to remove trees from your yard. Maybe you have a big tree that was hit by lightning and killed its entire lower half. Or maybe you want to plant a garden in a place that used to hold a tree that grew too large and got cut down.
Either way, removing a tree is a huge job. Here are a few things to keep in mind when deciding whether or not to remove a tree yourself or hire someone to do it for you:
- You should only remove a dead/dying tree if you are sure that you can safely do so.
- It’s important to have a professional inspect the tree before cutting it down.
- You should hire a professional to remove an infected tree if any damage has already occurred.
Once you have the tree removed, you’ll need to take measures to ensure that it doesn’t grow back again. Stump grinders are used to reduce the diameter of a tree by 50% (or more). When you buy a stump grinder, you’ll get a drill attachment that can bore holes into the ground and then insert a chain saw into the hole to reduce the diameter further. These tools are great for small trees, but they are also useful for removing stumps and roots from larger trees.
Before you start digging up your yard, make sure that you check the local regulations regarding tree removal. Many municipalities have strict rules concerning the removal of overgrown trees. For example, the city of Chicago has a special tree removal permit program that allows property owners to replace dead trees on their own dime. Other cities require the assistance of a professional company.
Irrigation systems
Most plants prefer soil that has moisture, so if you don’t water your plants often enough, they will eventually die off. Watering your plants is easy once you know exactly where to apply it. There are a number of different methods you can choose from:
- Drip irrigation – Drip irrigation involves putting plastic tubing under the soil to deliver water through the soil and directly to the roots of the plant.
- Sprinklers – Sprinkler systems involve watering plants using pressurized water.
- Rain barrels – Rain barrels collect rainwater and then distribute it to nearby plants through a hose.
Many homeowners have a choice here, too. Depending on the amount of rainfall your area receives, the type of area in which you live, and what kind of plants you have, you can decide which method makes the most sense for you. If you have a large amount of land, you could also install an automatic drip system.
Landscape lighting
Some people enjoy spending hours sitting outside at night admiring their beautiful lawn, garden, and flowerbeds. Others would rather stay inside with the lights on and watch TV. Either way, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying your outdoor space, as long as you have the proper lighting installed.
Lighting fixtures come in a variety of shapes and sizes. In general, you’ll have a choice between using standard outdoor light bulbs or LED bulbs. Standard bulbs burn out quickly and create lots of heat, while LEDs don’t produce any noticeable heat. In addition, they are energy efficient and last longer than traditional bulbs.
If you are planning on installing lighting for the holidays, you should probably go ahead and get your lights now. That way you can get a jumpstart on the Christmas season and avoid wasting money in December. Remember, you can always repaint or change the color of your holiday lights later on.
There are many common types of landscape contractors which can do your haljastustööd. If you want to understand the common types of it than you have to read the above paragraph. You can also have some decorative view with the help of it. There are many types of wall kits which you can use in it that can enhance the look of your foundation so think before you buy it.
