Life expectancy for landscaping

[Scott R]

Six years ago we had the backyard of our city house done by professional landscapers, it's now basically in tatters. Granted winters here can be harsh, but I don't have any other exterior forces working against me.

So fast forward to this last week and we had a new set of stairs poured going down to the backyard. It's a a very steep grade and the old steps slid down the hill a bit. But on top of this the rest of the landscaping needs to be replaced as well.

This new effort will consist of removing all of the mulch covered areas and replacing with river rock. This is no small effort and no small cost either.

So I guess how often do you guys get new landscaping done? Maybe I'm using the wrong guy, but I never expected this to be such an ongoing expense.

[VincentVega]

A little every year but I try to prune, water, fertilize the existing stuff to keep it going. I've found the key is to use the right plants, for your weather and location. Otherwise, they'll outgrow their space or will never mature correctly.

[masraum]

My experience is that you probably need to have this stuff touched up at least once a year

Mulch decomposes and holds debris, weeds grow, plants grow

I'd say that if you got five or six years out of it that you did pretty good

[p911dad]

In my experience, it never ends. And the more you have, the more you have to do. That's why people end up in condos!

[Scott R]

I should have done a condo.

Picture is worth a lot of words, the steps have dried they will be back on Tuesday to start again. The rest of the yard is as torn up right now as the stuff in this picture. As you can see erosion is a big factor for me.

[rusnak]

You need a designer who understands grades/ drainage/ soil retention like a civil engineer does, but also better plant and hardscape materials as well as soil amendments with things like minerals and pH.

[Scott R]

Thank you, I think that's sound advice. I believe I have the number of the engineering firm that designed my retaining wall many years back, I think they need to come out again.

[rusnak]

What I would do is:

1) conceptual or "artistic" plan first. this is the sketchy vauge artsy vision that has to do with layout: perspective, features, hidden spaces, etc. Make sure you get one "over the shoulder" look before the work is done, while in process. That way you can steer the ship before the bill is generated.

2) grading/ drainage plan: nuts and bolts. This is where the civil engineer is useful.

3) planting plan WITH PLANTING NOTES and soil amendments listed. Planting notes include things like staking for young trees, additions to soil, and things that help the plant to not die. Planting plan lists plants by species. Also includes hardscape such as walkway, fences, gates, fountains, etc.

4) irrigation and electrical plan. Includes site lighting, security system, irrigation system, a booster pump if needed, supplemental water system for periodic irrigation, etc.

[Baz]

Hey Scott,

Landscaping does have a shelf life so don't feel bad.

Of course there are many factors which go into how many years one "get's out" of their landscaping.

Here in Florida it is paramount to have a good irrigation system. Quality is dependent on design, components used, and upkeep. As well as how it is integrated with your plantings.

Then you have what I consider to be the most misunderstood components of maintenance....fertilization and pruning.

Then you have pest control.

And lastly re-planting and mulch touch up as needed.

The key to all this is knowing when and how to execute all of the above.

This is assuming you start with high quality plants and they are planted correctly in the first place. Spacing is another pet peeve of mine - I see many jobs done with terrible spacing - plants too close together or too close to buildings and walkways, etc. So there's that.

So again the short answer is plantings do have a shelf life and no matter how good a job is done initially at some point you will have to replant - at least some of it.

If I can help with anything else (short of coming there to assist) don't hesitate to ask.

[Scott R]

Thanks Baz, I'll PM you some questions I have on the planting we're going to do.

[Rob Channell]

Looks like good comments above.

I have a brown thumb but one of my mother's friends that can grow most anything always says what you want to do is "put a fifty cent plant into a five dollar hole". IOW, don't skimp on the proper nutrients and soil content for your chosen plants to give them the best chance of thriving.

[john70t]

Clematis, trumpet vine, wisteria, or hops might grown up the fence on the right.
Some of those love very crappy soil.
All perennials.

Morning glories will fill the space, but has to be re-planted every year.
Annual.

"There is last years garden, and next years"
This year, however, something is guaranteed to go wrong.

[dad911]

Hate to say it, and hard to tell from the pic, but if those steps & ramps were done in one pour, without expansion joints, the landscaping will outlast the steps.

Did they use rebar? Is the top step (where it turns 90 degrees to the left) uneven? (8" in front down to nothing towards back?

[pavulon]

My experience with walks and landscaping has brought me to a couple of conclusions. First, it will look good if you pay attention to it by designing the plant layout well, watering, pruning, weeding, fertilizing when needed. Second, use pre-cast/component steps (on a stone/gravel foundation) if steps are needed.

[GWN7]

If the old steps slid down the hill, I hope the new ones are anchored?