Dry creek beds provide attractive, functional relief, especially if your landscape is plagued by standing water. In the wet PNW, drainage problems are a common headache. Do any of these sound familiar?
- Floo
ded flower beds
- Pooling water below a deck
- Swampy places in the lawn
- Puddles around a foundation
Leaving drainage issues unaddressed has serious consequences, from dead lawn and plants to costly repairs and decreased property value.
The Good News
Frontier Landscaping has years of experience designing and implementing features that effectively carry water away from problem areas. Dry creek beds are star performers, particularly in sloped terrain. They work twice as hard for a landscape by running water from Point A to B, and standing alone as an attractive feature in drier months of the year.
“Even property owners with no landscape drainage issues may choose to install a dry creek bed due to the elements of natural beauty in the way they look.”
Controlling Water Flow
Dry creek beds are an excellent choice for addressing places in the landscape that are hard-hit by heavy rains. While a flat place in the yard may benefit more from a simple lawn drain, gradients and hillsides need the water capacity and speed that a dry creek bed can provide during extreme conditions. Effectively redirecting the flow of water saves you from ongoing erosion and long-term damage.
Water-Wise Gardening
When property owners are looking for a greener way to landscape, dry creek beds play an exciting role. Different-sized rocks, boulders, and choice plantings give eye-pleasing texture to outdoor spaces, but require much less water than an expanse of lawn. While bark dust alone can look flat, a dry creek bed introduces definition and contrast. It’s aesthetically pleasing and earth-friendly — a winning combination.
Dry Creek Beds for Natural Beauty
We regularly install dry creek beds to add natural beauty to a landscape. Expertly balancing a few key ingredients (a natural shape, native plantings, multiple sizes of stone) brings a natural, organic flow to an area. The results are breathtaking in any season, wet or dry.
Additional Considerations
No two landscapes are exactly alike, and the solution that works for one may not work for another. While dry creek beds are particularly suited to slopes and hillsides, they aren’t usually the best choice for flat ground.
Other elements, like French drains, catch basins, and lawn drains also have a part to play — and that’s just the beginning. Frontier’s installation team has years of experience solving drainage problems for local property owners.
French drain pipe (L), installed as a garden path (R).
French drains are a functional solution for flat terrain and less water. They often have a part to play in designing an overall solution for moving water in a landscape. Read more about them here.
Ranging in size from 6 to 24 inches, catch basins can be square or circular. These grated drains are typically placed alongside a driveway or in a low or sloped spot in the yard or hardscaping, like a patio. This is a straightforward fix for diverting water away from wet spots. A blend of rocks around it allows the catch basin to blend in with the landscape.
From basic to beautiful, there are many combinations of elements we can put to work that provide an effective long-term solution for landscape drainage issues in your landscape.
Ready to learn how can we help you solve your standing water problems? Call (360) 574-8979 or email us for a consultation. We’ll work with you to protect your landscape with the right landscape drainage solutions to meet your needs.
Find more inspiration for dry creek beds and landscape design by visiting us on Houzz!
What is Houzz?
Houzz is a website and online community designed to put meaningful resources in the hands of homeowners ready to make change.
It started as a side project by a couple frustrated with their remodeling efforts. They couldn’t find the tool they needed to make communicating their ideas easy. They used their frustrations to build the solution they needed. Now, the Houzz community numbers more than 40 million people worldwide.
Frontier Landscaping is a proud member of the Houzz Pro community. Now it’s easier than ever to collaborate. With Houzz, it’s a breeze to explain exactly what you have in mind. Planning your dream landscape has never been more convenient–or fun!
Inspiration On The Go
On the Houzz website or mobile app, you have access to photos, articles, and product recommendations. You can browse specific portfolios, or by general category. It’s designed for convenience: the site displays perfectly whether you’re on your phone, tablet, or web browser.
Look at real-world examples and ideas for your side yard, patio, fire pit, or outdoor lighting. You can ask questions or initiate a discussion about what you see. Pin down exactly what you like with regards to style and materials.
“Ideabooks” are photo albums filled with ideas. Browse them for inspiration. Save photos you like to your own Ideabooks as you go. Additionally, if you see something that you have a question about, you can ask and get answers, right in Houzz.
Collaborating Is Easier Than Ever
After you’ve decided on the look, feel, and products that you want to bring into your home, you can share them them directly with us on Houzz. We can give feedback and build on your ideas while literally being on the same page.
Best of all, this gives your project a head start. Instead of spending our first few meetings trying to figure out what you want, we already have a good idea of what you’re looking for.
How To Use Houzz
- Write a review. Reviews are the best way to help others connect with the qualified professionals they need. Do your fellow homeowners a favor. Let them know what it’s like to work with us.
- Start browsing! Save photos you like to your own albums. When you’re ready to meet, you can share your ideas with us directly.
Whether you’re updating or building, Houzz is an excellent place to get inspiration for what you’d like to do–and then get connected to your local pros to get it done. Join the community! We are looking forward to collaborating with you. Start Now
LED lighting continues its rise as a top trend for homeowners looking to get the most out of their landscape design. While low-voltage lighting is a traditional favorite, LEDs offer their own distinct range of benefits. It’s hard to resist the serious energy efficiency, ease of control, and nearly limitless design possibilities available to reflect your style.
Whether it’s bringing the view from your windows to life, or creating an outdoor room that’s welcoming and comfortable, LED lighting is a versatile and sustainable choice to fulfill your vision.
Light with Purpose: Set The Mood
First of all, what atmosphere do you want to create around your home after dark? With the right lights, you’ll trade flat, dull views for textured visual interest that increases your sense of enjoyable living space.
“Most people don’t realize this, but the backyard is a whole new room that they haven’t explored fully,” says HGTV outdoor lighting designer Michael Sestak. “You have the option to go beyond that light bulb at the doorway.”
Romance: Inviting Natural Charm
Use lighting to create a romantic view from your windows after sundown. Gently illuminated paths and layered accent lighting around plants and rockery creates a sweet invitation to savor your yard in the evenings.
If you’re a fan of a naturally-styled landscape, use delicate lighting to play across water features. In addition, the right shade of light bulb will echo the blue tones of moonlight. Consider soft uplights into your trees to showcase their shapes and textures.
Serenity: Relax and Enjoy
If you’re busy working during daylight hours, maximize your sense of rest and comfort around the places you enjoy when you’re at home. Tasteful accent lighting in shrubs and plantings around your deck, fire pit, or hot tub creates a relaxing atmosphere to enjoy a glass of wine and good company at the end of the day.
With the wide variety of LED lighting fixtures now available, it’s easy to carry over your design choices from inside your home to your outdoor space as well. This keeps a sense of natural flow to all of the living and entertaining areas you share with your guests.
“The right lighting can take any outdoor space from invisible to inviting,” explains Kate Campbell of HGTV’s “Decked Out” series. “Adding dimmable LED lighting to railing and stairs not only adds atmosphere but also enhances safety and security – and extends the time you can spend enjoying your outdoor living space.”
Excitement: Flaunt What You’ve Got
Gardening enthusiasts, use dynamic lighting to showcase your favorite trees, shrubs and flowerbeds. Additionally, don’t be afraid to exchange perfect symmetry for more irregular placement of your lights. This gives an organic feel that naturally complements each layer of your garden. With the right lights, you’ll lead the gaze of your viewers without overpowering your beautiful plants.
Do you have dramatic trees? Emphasize their structure and foliage with uplights, which enhances their scale and creates beautiful shadows.
Power: Forever First Impressions
Effective lighting strategies for your front yard sends curb appeal soaring with a few simple tweaks. Don’t settle for basic porch and walkway lighting. Set off an interesting front door or stonework with fixtures that showcase the uniqueness of your home. This creates powerful first impressions at walk-up (or drive-by). A small yard looks even larger when you bring lighting closer to the curb. Work the perimeters of your space for maximum impact.
Frontier LED Lighting Installation Services
In conclusion, outdoor LED lighting is a great fit for homeowners who want more from their landscape. It’s an environmentally-friendly solution that saves a lot of money over the long haul. Frontier offers low-voltage and LED lighting installation for new homes as well as retro-fitting existing landscapes. Contact us for a free consultation! We’d love to help you create the perfect setting around your home. Give us a call at (360) 574-8979, or send us an email: [email protected].
Additional Information
Choosing the right landscaping company pays many dividends for home and business owners. Effective design and skilled maintenance increases the value of your property, supports a healthy ecosystem, and shapes outdoor spaces to reflect your style. On the flip side, a botched job can result in long-term headaches and damage. What do you need to know to sort out the good from the bad? Here are eleven of our best tips:
First Things First: Are They Legally Compliant?
The first checkpoints are the basics. Is the company licensed, bonded and insured in the area they service? This information should be prominently displayed and easy to locate on their website, marketing materials or through government agencies.
What’s The Company History?
Longevity is key. How old is the business? How long have they been operating in your area?
While startups may be full of potential, promises, and enthusiasm, there is no substitute for experience when it’s time to make critical site decisions. A seasoned landscaping company has had time to become familiar with common problems and the best-fitting solutions for their local clientele.
Community Connections: Are They Good Neighbors?
Generosity is a sign of health in a business. How is this company involved in the community? Do they participate in service projects, work with civic groups, or have a track record of collaborating with other professionals? Read more about Frontier Landscaping’s Community Projects here.
Roots: Local, Regional, or National?
Numerous studies and statistics highlight the significant advantages of working with a locally-owned business. As your friends and neighbors, local businesses have a vested interest in knowing how to serve you:
- Local business owners know you. They’re familiar with the local market’s particular needs and interests, and offer products and services tailored to the area based on their knowledge and experience.
- Every contract matters to a local business. Being available, offering personal service, and having work that stands the test of time is the foundation of their success.
- Local businesses are generous! Statistics show they donate products and services 2-3x more than national chains do to actively improve the quality of life in their communities.*
- Local businesses are better at creating living-wage jobs for your neighbors. A community diversified with local, independent businesses creates jobs for its citizens with a positive long-term impact.
- Local businesses conserve energy and resources in the form of less fuel for transportation of products, and are more likely to partner with other local businesses to grow the regional economy using regionally-sourced products and materials.
Testimonials and Reviews: What’s The Word On The Street?
A few quick stops online gives insight into the company’s reputation. Are they registered with the Better Business Bureau? If there have been complaints, have they been quickly resolved?
Insider Tip: Statistics show that people are over 50% more likely to leave a review for a business when they’ve had a bad experience than when they’ve had a positive one.**
What does this mean? Online reviews may not always provide a full picture of what it will be like to do business with a company. Ask yourself: Are negative reviews rare, or commonplace?
Also — Is there a local business that’s done well by you? Take a minute to leave them a positive review!
See what our clients are saying about us.
Size Matters: Can They Handle Your Project?
Does the landscaping company have the machinery, staff, and skill required to handle a complex landscape installation or tree service job? If you need extensive renovations or remediation of large-scale issues, can they handle all aspects competently? Are their maintenance crews available to keep up with the schedule you need?
On the flip side, is their customer service on point and attentive for small projects as well as high-end projects?
Affiliations: Is Professionalism A Priority?
Is the company you’re considering a member of established and respected trade organizations? Vetted companies understand the value of professional associations, and invest in giving back to their industries by participating in some or all of the following:
- National Association of Landscape Professionals is the national trade association for the landscape industry, representing the voice of 100,000 landscape industry professionals who create and maintain healthy green spaces.
- International Society of Arboriculture has served the tree care industry for 90 years as a scientific and educational organization. ISA is aligned on many fronts with other green organizations to foster a better understanding of trees and tree care through research and the education of professionals as well as global efforts to inform tree care consumers.
- Washington Association of Landscape Professionals promotes professionalism and education to its members and educates the public about the landscape industry.
Click here to check out our full list of professional partners and affiliations.
How Skilled Is The Staff? Certifications and Licenses
What’s the training and experience of the company staff? Licensed arborists, certified backflow testers, irrigation specialists, and certified pesticide applicators are required to put in hours of studying and preparation to get licensed, with strict continuing education requirements to maintain their credentials. A company with certified professionals is clearly passionate and committed to the highest standards of work.
What Does The Contract Include?
How receptive is the staff to questions about your installation, maintenance or tree contract? A trustworthy company isn’t afraid of your questions and will work with you to make sure you are fully aware of all aspects of the agreement you’re making when you sign. Take time to understand the details of how billing is broken down, and the scope of work that’s included.
Price Guide: Cheaper Isn’t Better
Value is getting the best service at the best price. Don’t fall prey to a landscaping company with cheap rates! The largest percentage of a landscaping contract is labor. A ridiculously low price tag translates into less time and attention at your jobsite, inferior materials, and poorly-trained workers.
A Telling Detail: Is There A Warranty?
This value-added service is a great point of comparison when choosing a landscaping company, and are required by law in some states (including Oregon). Does the landscaping company you’re considering routinely offer a warranty on their services? Are they willing to stand by the work they have done?
Now that you know what you need to know, it’s time to find the answers!
Most of this information will be readily available on the company’s website, where you should also be able to examine photos of their work. Take time to scroll through and get a feel for their values, style, and capabilities.
With a little research beforehand, you’ll have a list of qualified, competent companies to provide excellent service for your needs.
Frontier Landscaping offers expert, reliable service for installations, maintenance, as well as comprehensive tree services. Ready to talk about your needs? Give us a call at (360) 574-8979, or send us an email: [email protected].
References:
*Civic Economics – Andersonville Study of Retail Economics.
**A Survey of Customer Service from Mid-Size Companies – ZenDesk.com
It’s easy to call for tree service when you notice one of your trees doesn’t look well, but did you know that a tree that appears healthy can actually be on the brink of failure, too? This month we’re highlighting some key insights from our in-house expert, ISA-Certified Arborist Greg Irwin.
As a specialist in risk and hazard assessment, Greg’s mindset is always, “safety first”.
He shares, “Often homeowners don’t realize there are hidden hazards that have a higher potential to happen when a tree looks good, because there aren’t outward signs of illness or damage. A tree can look nice and healthy to an untrained eye and still fail (or have main sections fail) based on growth structure, attachment, and the way it has been previously pruned in the past.”
Species-Specific Issues
Several tree species are prone to failure because of their particular growth habits. If you’re unfamiliar with the risk factors, it’s more likely you’ll face long-term failure issues in main sections of your tree.
Flowering Pear
These towering beauties can harbor hidden danger when they’re allowed to establish without regular, skilled maintenance through pruning and having their canopy contained. They commonly form poor attachments, one of several genetic issues naturally occurring in the species.
While these issues aren’t preventable, they can be successfully controlled in a variety of ways if addressed when the tree is young (5-10 years old). Taking action early on eliminates future headaches and also causes less stress and effects on the tree.
Red Sunset Maple
Red Sunset Maples are a favorite for their consistent, dramatic fall color. However, due to an all-vertical growth habit, it’s not uncommon for a weak attachments to become a high failure risk in mature trees. Like the flowering pear, early identification in young trees is critical to allow proper diagnosis and treatment. A certified arborist like Greg is rigorously trained to examine the multiple factors that come into play in each case and make the right call for safety and the health of the tree.
Leyland Cypress
The mighty Cupressus × leylandii tops Greg’s list as the #1 evergreen that he and the Frontier Tree Service crews see split apart or even uprooted entirely due to winter failure–more than any other tree in the area.
Again, the main problem arises from genetics with this tree’s growth structure: vertical, very tall, and heavy-limbed. While the root system is wide, it’s also shallow and prone to retaining a lot of water (pushing the roots up to the soil’s surface). As the tree gets larger it doesn’t take a lot to tip it over. Yikes!
There’s good news, though. Young Leyland Cypress trees do well when they’re retrained as hedges. With early intervention and consistent maintenance, retraining reduces risk of failure around your home. The Leyland cypress performs well in this role, as it’s hardier than arborvitae and will flourish as a robust screen through its maturity.
Risky Roots
Attachments aren’t the only issues that can play a role in tree failure. In landscapes with a high water table, tree roots can be forced up towards the soil’s surface instead of spreading out and away. With heavy wind, the entire tree may be uprooted due to this instability.
It’s important to note that root issues like these are a leading cause of tree failure. The trained eye of a certified arborist like Greg takes multiple aspects into consideration when assessing risks and hazards around your home.
Safe Solutions
Greg reminds us, “every tree in every location is different. We always diagnose case-by-case to determine the need.” Pruning and cabling are two common solutions when a tree is able to be recovered.
Pruning
Pruning, which has several definitions, essentially involves removing plant parts to improve the health, landscape effect, or value of the plant. The Texas AgriLife Extension Service emphasizes the importance of skilled pruning:
“The old idea that anyone with a chainsaw or a pruning saw can be a landscape pruner is far from the truth. More trees are killed or ruined each year from improper pruning than by pests.” (You can read more in-depth on pruning here.)
Cabling
Cabling assists the tree in supporting itself during inclement weather, can strengthen a weak crotch, or raise lower hanging branches to the desired height. Like pruning, there are multiple approaches to cabling.
Greg states, “Cabling needs to be done by someone with experience. There’s a lot to know: where to cable, how to position, what type of cable to use depending on the calculated size/stress load so you know whether or not what you’re using is strong enough.”
If it’s been awhile since you’ve had your trees evaluated for these hidden hazards, give us a call to set up an evaluation. Greg and team will perform a thoughtful, thorough examination to save you from headaches and failures with the best knowledge and resources available. We are licensed, bonded, and insured, and are committed to using best practices set forth by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).
ISA certified arborist, Greg Irwin
*Why Hire a Certified Arborist?
An arborist, by definition, is an individual trained in the art and science of planting, caring for and maintaining individual trees. Arborists are knowledgeable about the needs of trees and are trained and equipped to provide proper care. Certified Arborists are individuals who have achieved a high level of knowledge and experience and pass a comprehensive examination developed by some of the nation’s leading experts on tree care. Certified arborists must adhere to a stringent code of ethics and continue their education to maintain their certification. Learn more about certified arborists and tree safety at Trees are Good and ISA.
The month of May brings longer days, warmer temperatures, and plenty of opportunity to get outside and work on your may garden chores. Whether you’re just getting started in gardening or have years of experience, there are essential garden tasks that should be tackled in May.
- Pruning – May is ideal for shearing evergreens such as junipers, conifer and cypress. Azaleas, camellias and rhododendrons can also be pruned back to eliminate frost-damaged branches. Remember that cutting back into bare branches or cutting new flowers off before bloom can harm your plants or stop growth, so use care. Want help? We assist with pruning and maintenance for gardens of all sizes. Learn More About Our Pruning Services.
- Fertilizing – New shrub, tree, and rose plantings will benefit from treatment with fertilizer; remember to water well after application.
- Flowers – Hardy annuals are safe to plant now, but wait to plant more tender annuals (impatiens, geranium, fuchsia) in the ground until nighttime temps stay up over 50 degrees. All summer-flowering perennials, bulbs and shrubs can be planted now, as well as chrysanthemums for fall color. Have fun!
- Veggies – Be sure your soil warmed up before you move less-hardy veggie starts into the garden. Having a hard time deciding what to plant in a limited garden space? Check out design ideas featuring retaining walls.
- Watering – Now’s the time to make sure that your irrigation system is working so that you’re prepared to meet the needs of your garden. Schedule an appointment with us to prep, prime, install, or repair before things heat up this summer. More About Frontier’s Spring Start-Up Service.
- Lawn Care: De-thatch, dig out perennial weeds or spray, aerate, and overseed with grass. In some cases, applying a thin layer of fine soil helps as well. Call us for more information and guidance on lawn care. Short on time? Let us handle it for you. Check Out Our Maintenance Services for more information.
- Weeds / Pest Control – Get aggressive and eliminate weeds before they go to bud and seed. Mulching is a great way conserve moisture and prevent weed seeds from germinating; try using hemlock or fir. Eradicate slugs with bait or traps. Clearing vegetation near your garden helps. Examine the lawn for damaged turf; wet or waterlogged areas are particularly susceptible to hungry crane fly larvae. Recovery is faster when issues are caught early.
- Spring Yard Clean-Up Services – You may be overwhelmed with your landscape debris and growth and need a seasonal overhaul. Frontier Landscaping can remove unwanted yard debris, weeds, and prune trees and shrubs to help bring your yard from eyesore to wow!
