I have always been one of those people who loves to create a warm, inviting atmosphere for others, which is why I started looking at landscaping design in the first place. It was incredible to me to see how much of a difference I was able to make by adding a few new plants, and after that first project, I wanted to help other people. I started volunteering to help friends and neighbors do their landscaping, and after a few months, I had developed quite a following. This blog is all about creating a warm, inviting yard through smart landscaping and an eye for detail.
Do you have to work with rocky terrain in your landscape? No matter how little or how much you plan to landscape, this is an extra challenge that can seem insurmountable. However, don't give up on your landscape plans. You can overcome rocky soil and create a beautiful yard. Here are a few ways to manage it.
1. Grade Strategically
Rather than try to get rid of all your rocks throughout the entire yard, only do grading work strategically with specific goals in mind. The number one purpose of grading should be to ensure the right drainage. Analyze the yard to determine where grading may need alteration to encourage good drainage. In addition, you may want to grade an area where you will put in a lawn. By focusing your grading efforts, you minimize extra work and cost.
2. Use Rocks for Landscaping
Rocks of all sizes add texture and interest to your landscape design. So don't throw them all out. Small rocks make interesting and inexpensive footpaths. Large rocks form beautiful and low-maintenance rock gardens. Rocks can be used to create lawn and bed barriers, to fill in small spaces around hardscaping, and even as inorganic mulch. Be creative with the rocks you already have, considering them a resource rather than a nuisance.
3. Go Vertical
If rocky soil makes planting gardens difficult, consider building upward rather than digging down. Use containers and pots to plant bushes, small trees, and larger groupings of flowers. Bring in more good soil and build a berm over a particularly rocky area, then landscape the berm instead. Or build above-the-ground garden boxes for flower gardens or vegetable and herb gardens.
4. Be Flexible on Locations
If your problem is large, cumbersome rocks underneath the ground, flexibility in your landscape design is key. You may need to vary the location of larger plantings, sometimes by a few inches and other times by a larger margin. Be flexible about where things will go, having backup plans in case you encounter rocks that are too much of a challenge. With this mindset, you'll still end up with a gorgeous design.
Where to Start
As you consider your yard's rocky challenges, the best place to begin finding solutions is to work with an experienced residential landscape contractor in your area. They will help you assess your soil condition and find solutions that fit your budget and your goals. Contact a company like Jeff's Lawn Care & Landscaping, LLC for more information.
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