Landscaping Project – Correcting Gardening Issues, Phase I & Phase 2

When you first look at the front of my house, you really don’t see anything too amiss with the landscaping until you take a closer look.

With all the time I’m spending at home due to the coronavirus, I’ve been giving the front yard another look.

We are working with a landscape designer to improve our yard.

I’ve requested xeriscaping which is creating landscaping which requires little or no water.

I also wanted plants that need little care.  I don’t want to spend a lot of time trimming and maintaining plants.

 

Phase 1 – Planning and Design Details

Azaleas Planted too Close to Sidewalk

The first thing we want to do is to remove the overgrown azalea bushes.

These two azalea bushes were planted way too close to the sidewalk.  They are only about 3 to 4 inches away from the sidewalk.

They require constant trimming to keep the sidewalk open.

Five Spirea golden elf plants will be planted in this area.

This is one of the two very large maple trees in my front yard.

This maple tree’s roots are present on the surface of the lawn.  The roots stick up so much that they make mowing the lawn difficult.  The large tree roots are also growing into the flower beds.

The landscapers are going to remove this tree and the roots.

In the long run, it is going to save us time since we will no longer be raking up the maples leaves in the fall from this tree.

Maple Tree with Roots in Lawn Unattractive Overgrown Azaleas

These two azaleas have also overgrown their area.

Even with frequent trimming, they always hang over onto the sidewalk.

We also have problems with snakes, reptiles, and ground wasps living in this area near my front door.

This rectangular area will be replanted with five boxwood insularis shrubs and one euonymus greenspire shrub.

This is a dwarf Alberta Spruce which I planted many years ago.

However, we now want to add a stone pathway here, so this tree will also have to go.

In this area the landscapers are planting a blue globe spruce and pink astilbe visions plants.

That sounds lovely to me.

Draft Alberta Spruce Torch Lily or Kniphofa Plants

The landscapers are saving these Torch Lilies which are sun loving plants.

They are also drought resistant and in the summer have a lovely red orange poker shaped flower.

However, I believe they are going to replant them in an attractive pattern.

To save money on the project, we are removing the shrubs and Alberta spruce tree ourselves.  This will save a whopping $595 on the landscaping bill.

To remove the shrubs, we first cut off the green branches.  Then using a shovel and mattock we removed the plant’s roots.  I purchased the mattock for $1.50 in a yard sale and it proven itself to be very helpful in use around the garden and lawn.

I’m thinking the above blogged changes will definitely make a big improvement in my front lawn.

It will, also, correct a lot of our lawn issues, increase our home’s curb appeal, and home’s net worth.

We will keep you posted on this project.

Phase 2 – Removal of Old Shrubs and Clean Up

Removal of Plants

It was a busy weekend and we removed all the old shrubs and the Alberta spruce tree.

We also sprayed the ground wasps who didn’t want to leave this area.

Now, time for some raking and general cleanup of the debris in that area.

The sidewalk was, also, swept and washed off with a hose.

Looking forward to reporting on phase 3 of our landscaping project.

Another View of Removed Plants

Xeriscaping – Science of creating landscaping needing little or no water to survive.  You will often find xeriscaping in desert or dry areas.

Happy Gardening to all Farmhouse Magic Blog Readers.