Landscape construction mistakes can be expensive to repair and sometimes impossible to completely correct. At Details Landscape Art, a Petaluma landscape contractor, we have seen it all. It never ceases to amaze us how much poor landscape construction is out there. Landscaping and gardening is not rocket science or brain surgery. It is mostly common sense, obvious physics, and a dose of good taste.
Over the years, we have encountered many examples of shortcuts and improper installation techniques that ultimately lead to costly repairs, premature failure, and unhappy homeowners. Following are some of the most common mistakes we see.
Landscape Construction Mistakes Involving Wood
Whether fence posts or arbor posts, setting wood below grade is asking for trouble. Water collects around buried wood, accelerating rot and shortening the life of the structure.
A well built arbor sets posts above grade
When we install posts, we make sure the top of the concrete footing is crowned so water drains away from the wood rather than collecting around it.
Mistakes Involving Irrigation
Drip irrigation tubing should generally remain above ground. When buried, dirt can work its way into fittings and clog the system, eventually leading to plant stress or mortality.
Another common mistake is placing lawn sprinklers and drip irrigation on the same valve. Lawns and shrubs have very different water requirements and should be watered separately. A lawn may require frequent shallow watering, while shrubs and trees benefit from deeper, less frequent irrigation.
Trees planted in lawns present another challenge. Lawn irrigation typically wets only the upper few inches of soil. Trees require deep watering to encourage deep root growth. Without separate irrigation, roots may migrate toward the surface and damage the lawn.
Landscape Construction Mistakes Involving Drainage
Proper grading is one of the foundations of good landscape construction. Water should always flow away from the residence and toward an appropriate drainage location such as a street, storm drain, or French drain.
Patios and walkways also require proper slope. We generally provide at least one inch of fall for every eight feet of run to ensure water drains properly and does not collect near the home.
There is a saying in landscaping: water will win. Ignoring drainage almost always leads to problems.
Landscape Construction Mistakes Involving Planting
Planting too deeply is one of the most common causes of plant failure, especially in Sonoma County’s heavy clay soils.
Many plants benefit from being slightly crowned above grade so excess water can drain away from the root crown. Plants sitting in waterlogged soil are deprived of oxygen and may eventually die from root rot.
Where gophers are present, failing to install gopher wire beneath lawns and planting areas can also lead to expensive plant losses and unsightly mounds.
Landscape Construction Mistakes Involving Concrete
Concrete work requires proper reinforcement.
Without horizontal rebar, patios and walkways are much more likely to crack and shift as soils expand and contract. While some hairline cracking is inevitable, reinforcement helps prevent small cracks from becoming major problems.
Another common mistake is planting lawn right up against a fence. Sprinklers continually wet the fence boards, causing premature weathering and deterioration. In our opinion, grass should never meet a fence directly.
Do It Once, Do It Right
There are thousands of landscapers to choose from. When it comes to landscape construction, however, only a handful truly care enough to do it once and do it right.
Good landscape construction may cost a little more upfront, but quality workmanship pays dividends for many years to come. A properly installed landscape is not only more beautiful, but also more durable, efficient, and easier to maintain.