An Overview of Landscaping Services and the Process of Improving Your Yard
Most people are familiar with the term ‘landscaping.’ However, homeowners often don’t realize all of the different types of projects it encompasses or the amount of thought and work that goes into the process.
For this reason, our experts have provided an overview to explain what landscaping services are and the many ways it can be used to improve your yard.
Landscaping Explained
In its simplest definition, anything that is added to an outdoor area or changes the existing terrain is considered landscaping. A landscaper plans and constructs features that not only enhance the appearance of an area but create functional outdoor spaces.
When it comes to landscaping services, there are many options that typically fall into one of two categories: softscape and hardscape.
As their names suggest, softscape includes any soft or living elements while hard, solid structures fall under hardscape. Here are a few common examples of softscape and hardscape features that are all considered a part of your landscape:
- Plants
- Flowers
- Shrubbery
- Trees
- Lawns
- Patios
- Driveways
- Walkways
- Fences
The most attractive landscapes tend to include a balanced combination of softscape and hardscape elements.
History of Landscaping
The art of landscaping has a long history that dates back hundreds of years across many different cultures. Asian gardens, for example, were originally created to provide places of peacefulness and reflection. This famous landscape style is still used around the world today.
Frederick Law Olmsted is considered to be the father of landscape and architecture in North America. Famous for his thoughtfully designed parks, he sparked a movement that influenced city architecture in the 20th century and established the use of ‘landscape architects’ in urban design and planning.
From Asia to America, landscaping continues to be an important part of our societies and our homes.
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The Process of Landscaping
A lot more goes into creating an attractive and functional landscape than you might think. The process consists of two phases: design and installation. However, after landscaping services, spaces will typically require some sort of ongoing maintenance, as well.
Here is an overview to help you know what to expect:
Design
All of the planning for your space is done during the design phase. At this point of the process, the logistics behind your ideal landscape need to be considered. This includes:
- The desired purpose for your yard
- The softscape and hardscape features you want to include
- The location of those features and the required materials
An experienced landscaper can create a plan for your yard that fits your needs, goals, and budget. The design phase is also the time to address common problems, such as slopes, drainage, wind, sun, privacy, or lack of space.
A well-thought-out plan is crucial to the success of your landscape. If proper attention is not given to your design, problems are more likely to arise during the installation phase.
“Work with skilled Nashville hardscaping and outdoor construction professionals who understand your vision and respect your schedule. Contact us for a free quote!”
Installation
Once all of the logistical planning has been done, you can begin installing and constructing your landscape to bring your plans to life. Since the majority of the heavy lifting is done during this stage, many homeowners prefer to hire a company that specializes in residential landscaping, especially if they’re installing difficult hardscape features, such as a patio or walkway.
After the installation process is complete, your outdoor space should be transformed and ready for you and your family to enjoy!
Maintenance & Upkeep
Although the bulk of the work has been done, ongoing maintenance is incredibly important to ensure your landscape remains healthy, safe, and attractive. Depending on the elements you’ve incorporated into your landscape, upkeep can be a big task that requires specialized tools and knowledge.
Typical maintenance can include:
- Weeding and fertilizing
- Lawn care
- Shrub pruning
- Annual planting
Want to Learn More About Landscaping Services?
Landscaping is an art form that can transform any outdoor space and increase the value of your home. If you want to learn more about the process or the different styles and features you can install on your property, give our residential landscaping experts a call at Greenway of Nashville. We can provide landscaping services that turn your dream yard into a reality.
From design to installation, we offer a wide range of landscaping services in Nashville including both softscape and hardscape projects. If you are saying to yourself that “I need landscaping near me”, contact us today at (615) 238-4574 and we’ll discuss how we can improve your yard!
