Landscape Contractor

One of the biggest sales draws for a property sale is how the lot is laid out. This includes where on the lot the home is situated and how the landscaping has been prepared. Not only does the place have to neat and tidy it also has to show that the layout fits the lot and the style of home.

Landscape contractors are in the business of bringing the best out of a property by using vegetation, water features and different levels. This is an age-old process used in places like the ancient Orient, the Babylonian Empire and the European capitals of the 1600's to present day. The modern landscaping contractor uses many of these processes as well as newer ideas to increase space in a small yard.

Other ideas that are becoming important are those to do with the ecology. The term “green landscaping” does not have as much to do with shrubs and trees as it does with the new methods of landscaping. This includes less pesticides, chemical fertilizers, large expanses of lawns and water. Because even if Canada is supposed to have more than a million lakes many large cities are finding their water levels are lowering.

1. Native Plants: At one time the country was covered with native plants that adapted to the weather patterns and intermittent food supplies over the eons and were resistant to pests. When the settlers came they brought their favourite plants and flowers and helped them to survive with fertilizers and bug killers. These plants did not need watering and had natural repellents than helped them survive the various insect populations.


2. Composting: As gardening became more varied, and the species of vegetation became more foreign, the nourishment and insecticides became more sophisticated and more powerful. Now these chemicals leach many nutrients from the soil and kill the good microorganisms responsible for breaking down the organic waste materials into natural fertilizer.


3. Hardscape: In areas like central British Columbia and southern Alberta where water is at a premium landscape architects are looking to other features to reshape the yard. Using brick paving stones and blocks for patios and retaining walls turns gardens that were once completely dependent on water to low-maintenance natural settings. This includes rock features, various species of cacti and water-miser plant life and shade trees. This means that the big, thirsty lawns are not only shrinking but, in some areas, are disappearing.


4. Water Conservation: Even in places where water is readily available it still costs money. In some areas a home's water bill may top $1500 for the year and more than half of this usage can be attributed to spray-type lawn watering devices.


5. Drip Watering Systems: Rather than watering the rocks, tree branches and half the road drip watering is administered by a series of underground pipes with tiny perforations. A trickle of water goes right to the roots where it is needed. In addition these systems can be set on a timer or on a hydration meter which measures the moisture of the ground.


6. Gray Water: There are sources of water draining from the home that can be used for irrigation on the property. Water from showers, dishwashers, washing machines and sinks is called “gray water” and, as long as the detergents and soaps are eco-friendly, this water is an untapped source of water for the garden, a source that does not cost any more than re-routing some plumbing. Toilet water, of course, has dangerous bacteria and should never be used.


7. Rain Water: Another age-old ritual was collecting rain during the wet times for use in droughts. This type of water collecting is still available source of water for the garden. In fact many landscaping centres sells kits that include cisterns and rain barrels for collection and storage of rain water. This includes insect screens and downspouts. When you think of how many square feet of roof area the average bungalow has just a ¼â€of rain can produce a full barrel of water.


8. Ponds: A small pond with a fountain or other water feature not only gives pleasure but is an eco-system all by itself. Minnows or koi give life to the water plus eat insect larvae that wold otherwise hatch and be stinging pests.


9. Vegetables: Not so long ago vegetable gardens filled the backyards of the country. In the 1950's these large, colorful areas turned to a bright green as the homeowners sought a more maintenance-free landscape instead of edibles. Lawns had to be cut but were not the work that gardens required. With the zest for fresh, organic vegetables on peoples' minds vegetable gardens are making a return. Also, by planting certain species side-by-side, like tomatoes and garlic, pests like slugs and leaf eaters stay away.

For a landscaping contractor consult our Contractor Directory or just post a project online at www.trustedpros.ca and get one to call you.