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How to properly landscape and hardscape your beautiful lawn and concrete. Once all the designing, planning, and finally construction is done, most people breathe a sigh of relief as they admire their new yard. Naturally, you want your yard to stay in the same beautiful condition as it’s in that very first day. With regular upkeep that you can easily do on your own, your yard will stay in perfect shape.

The first few weeks after new landscaping is put in is crucial. Make sure you’re watering every single day, late afternoon or early morning. Plants often time go through shock when transplanted so if they seem a bit droopy at first, don’t give up on them. Most plants need only a good watering once a day to thrive in the summer and during the winter once every few days, especially if it’s raining. The exception to this rule is sod. Sod needs to be watered a couple of times a day for the first three weeks after it’s laid. This is vital for the grass to root in the dirt underneath. It’s also helpful to try and avoid walking on it for a couple of weeks. Weeding about twice a month is also going to keep your yard looking amazing. Weeds not only look bad, but they actually drain the resources from your surrounding plants. When you pull weeds, make sure you’re getting down all the way to the root so they are less likely to return.

Hardscape work is just as easy to maintain. Concrete simply needs a good power washing every few months. Even using the hose on a hard spray will do the trick. When there are stains a bit of sand and a non-metallic brush will work wonders. However, using a power washer on stone and rock is not such a great idea. Just using a regular dish soap and running water over your work is going to keep it nice and shiny. Also, make sure the drainage around your hardscape work is clear. Excess water can cause your stones to shift and become hazardous.

“Now, as in the mid 1950’s, the United States is emerging from a difficult economy. Graniterock CFO Steve Snodgrass contributes the following article excerpted from the 1956 Engineering News-Record which shows how “the more things change the more they remain the same.” As the recession wanes and business activity increases, the author warns of more contractor financial failures and explains that the end of a recession can prompt increased competition and risky decision-making by unwary contractors. Bankruptcies often rise at the beginning of a building boom. The cautionary message remains as true today as it was then, and reaffirms the old saw that those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”

You may read more of this very interesting and informative article on why contractors can go broke at Granite Rock or follow the direct link here at What Causes Contractors to Go Broke? by Steve Snodgrass.

Once you have a start date scheduled then you are ready for your project installation. Ask your contractor who will be on site to manage your project so that you can communicate with them during installation. Your project will likely follow these steps:

1. Demolition of existing items if required.
2. Sub-grade preparation and excavations.
2A. Pool/gunite/coping and tile.
3. Drainage.
4. Set up of hardscape areas and footings.
5. Hardscape installation.
6. Structure builds (i.e. BBQ’s, firepits, arbor walls).
7. Irrigation and drainage completion.
8. Planting & mulch.
9. Lawn installation.
10. Clean up.

Throughout your project you should always keep all changes in writing. Ask your contractor to provide you a cost and a written change order for any extra work that you request to be done. Most field project managers do not have the authority to make changes without the office approval. This will eliminate you being surprised with an invoice for extra work at the end of your project that you assumed had no cost attached. It will keep a positive relationship with your chosen company through the end of the project.

Chose a company that you feel will be the best fit for your project. It’s not always the best idea to chose the lowest bid. You should chose a company that you feel comfortable working with through your project. Depending on the size and phases of your project it can take from one week to one month or longer. Discuss with your chosen company the scheduling process once the project is started. Inquire to approximately how long each phase will take to complete, are permits needed, if so who will be responsible for acquiring such permits. Have all of these items incorporated into your written contract, so as to not to have any issues arise after the project is started. Ask the company to provide you a copy of an insurance certificate as proof of insurance. This will show which carriers are insuring the company for Workman’s Comp. and Liability insurance. After your acceptance of the contract, then you are now ready to move into the project installation process.

Regular maintenance and care of your concrete and masonry work is important for every home owner. Luckily, it is pretty easy to keep up as long as you know what to use.

Concrete- Concrete is especially easy to maintain. Power washing about every three months is likely to keep it stain free. If there is a spill of oil, grease or gas then make sure to wash it off immediately. For more stubborn stains use a bit of sand and non metallic brush. Using course salt is also an option, but it will wear on your sealant faster and can cause discoloration in newer concrete.

Hardscapes- The most basic form of care for your hardscape areas is making sure the drains and drainage areas are clear and cleaned out. Depending on the weather and your surrounding greenery they should be cleaned about every 3- 6 months. Before rainy months is especially important. Excess water will cause slippage and movement of your stone/rock/etc. As for stains using a mild dish soap with a bucket of water should do the trick. Try not to use anything too abrasive to avoid scratching.

Sealing- Sealing your concrete or masonry surfaces is a personal choice. It is true that the sealant will protect against water and most damage, but it can change the feeling of the surface and sometimes the color will vary slightly after. In high traffic and harsh weather conditions it is definitely a good idea to use a sealer. Before the winter months especially. High quality sealant should last at least two years and can last up to four, depending again on the traffic and weather conditions. Cleaning sealed concrete should be handled the same way as regular concrete for the most part. However, using things like salt and sand should be avoided. A sponge or course towel should do the trick.

Hopefully as we approach these winter months you find your home looking as beautiful as ever.

There are many landscape/designers available in your area. First, you could get some referrals from someone that has used a particular designer in the past that you have seen, their design ideas implemented into an actual installed project. If you do not have anyone on any specific project in mind, you can always call our office for assistance. Second, set up a couple of meetings with different designers to get a couple of different ideas on your project…. their fees, and how specific you would like your drawing to be. You could have a designer prepare a standard drawing for a few hundred dollars, to a full set of drawings which will show exact materials, irrigation lines, drainage, installation specifications of each item, and this will cost you a few thousand dollars, depending on the size of your yard. Either investment is a plus in the future of your dream yard, because with a plan your yard can be installed in phases, and all items and preparations will not be missed that are critical for a future phase, being installed without damage to existing work.

Best regards,

Anselmo Goulart

Figure out what you would like to change or add to your yard. (i.e. new patio, BBQ island, fire pit, arbor, Cabana, lawn, planting area, pool, spa, seat wall, retaining wall, mow band, fountain). You and your partner should take time to walk your entire yard, and discuss your wish list. Ideas for a completed dream yard project. Your dream yard can be achieved in phases. It’s understandable that these days most people do not have the entire available budget needed to install all of the components to your dream yard at one time. Don’t stress about it, write down all of your ideas and call us for an initial meeting to discuss them. We will listen to your ideas, give you additional ideas to incorporate with your own, and prepare a budget for each item required. With correct planning your yard can be installed in phases without breaking the bank. Check back next month for the next phase to achieving your project.