If you have worked hard on developing your ideal landscaped garden, you will not want to see it fall into ruin, with overgrowing grass and dead plants all over. Maintenance is as important as the building of the landscape, and so should be performed frequently.

Maintaining a Lawn

maintaining a lawn

A lush lawn can take lots of maintenance, however it is generally well worth the effort as the results are visible and pleasing.

Mowing your lawn should be done frequently in summer months, depending on the time you are able to devote to the task. Every 2-4 weeks is ideal.

You should be careful not to cut the grass too short - while cutting it shorter means you won't have to cut it for a while, it can also cause problems in dry weather, as the grass can burn in the sunlight.

Never mow wet grass, as not only will the mowing be less effective, it is also possible that fungus may become established on you lawn. Not only will this look bad, but it can cause more serious long term problems.

In early spring, when the weather is beginning to improve, and the grass is beginning to grow, you should examine the lawn for any bare patches, sprinkling grass seed where necessary. Remove any weeds, and spread lawn feed if necessary. If there is lots of shade upon your lawn, you may want to add grass seed to the areas that are normally shaded.

Maintaining Trees and Hedges

maintaining trees and hedges

Generally, trees and hedges are relatively maintenance free. They require no watering or feeding, and can look after themselves for decades without human intervention.

Generally, the only maintenance required is keeping the hedge tidy and well shaped. For this, a pair of shears will be suitable in most cases, though for larger hedges, an implement such as a chainsaw will probably be more convenient.

When cutting, be careful to ensure the cut is straight, as once cut, the hedge can only re-grow to shape, which could mean waiting several months for any damage to be fixed.

For bushes and hedges where you don't want a uniform shape, you may want to use a pair of secateurs to cut any oversized branches, particularly if they are jutting into pathways or a driveway.

Removing Weeds

removing weeds

Weeds are the bane of any landscaper, as they are unsightly and can cause damage to plants by 'choking' them.

Gardens should be checked for weeds regularly, and any weeds should be removed as soon as possible. It is usually possible to pull the weeds with your hands (gardening gloves are recommended), though in some cases you may need to use a trowel to dig around the stem. It is essential that the roots of the weed are removed, as this prevents them from re-growing in the same location. Where weeds are growing on a lawn or a flower bed, do not use weed killer, as this can have effects on the surrounding plants.

If you are finding weeds appearing between cracks of paving stones and on pathways, you will be able to use a weed killer. Usually, these come in spray form, and attack both the 'head' of the weed as well as the underground roots. It is harder to pull a weed out from paving, as the weed roots will often be anchored beneath slabs or tarmac, and thus will remain behind when pulled, allowing the head of the weed to grow again. Liquid spray weed killers eliminate this problem by being able to move through the cracks and beneath the surface, to attack and kill the weed at the root.