How to Fix an Old Yard at Your New Home

New house with an older landscape

Few things are as exciting as purchasing a new house. Whether the home is brand new or a fixer-upper, there will be plenty of adventures ahead. But before you start making memories, you may have a few things to check off your to-do list.

Even the newest home sits on land that has been there for ages, so it is crucial to give your landscape as much TLC as you give to the home’s interior and exterior.

How to Fix Up an Old Yard

Evaluation

If you have just moved into a new home, prioritizing your projects is key. While renovating the bathroom or installing new kitchen cabinets may be a fun idea, it is critical to consider which projects present the greatest need and complete them in order of importance. While your landscape design may seem like a task that can be left on the backburner, the health of your future landscape is a direct contributor to the health of your property value overall.

Unhealthy trees can pose a serious fall risk if not properly addressed, putting your new home and your family in direct danger. Certain fungi, bacteria, and other invasive species can also threaten the health and safety of pets, young children, and your designed plants if they are not dealt with immediately.

It is crucial to understand the state of your home’s landscape to grasp how and when it should be fixed. Especially due to the seasonal nature of landscaping, it is important to catch issues quickly, so you don’t have to wait for the next spring thaw to address them.

Identification

You can’t fix an old yard if you don’t truly know what you’re dealing with. Especially if you have moved to a new neighborhood or a completely different geographical location from what you are used to, you will need to learn about your new climate.

This is precisely why it is important to hire the right landscaping services provider to meet your needs. Your landscaping professional should have an acute understanding of your specific landscape and the needs of all the plants on your property. To fix an old yard, identify the specific species of plants on your property and work with a landscaping technician to understand your lawn and garden’s needs before you start attempting to fix an old yard.

Repair

Once you understand your landscape, the next logical step is to hire the right services to help you get your yard looking the way you want it to.

Whether through general landscaping services or something more elaborate like a hardscape installation, the best way to tackle an old, disheveled yard is by hiring an expert to get your landscaping project done right the first time.

Contact The Parke Company Today!

Buying a new home is nerve-wracking and exciting enough without the added stress of landscaping renovations. Even so, the fun of interior design can be brought outdoors when you enlist the right kind of landscaping maintenance company for your projects.

Whether it is lawn mowing, leaf removal, or more complex projects like hardscape installation, The Parke Company is the right landscaping company for the job. Our experienced professionals are ready to develop a landscaping plan that works for your property and your budget. For residential or commercial landscape maintenance, give us a call (615-350-6033) or contact us online today to see how The Parke Company difference can work for you!

What Is a Tree Surgeon?

View of a large tree from the ground

The professionals at landscaping maintenance companies are always wearing a few different hats. Some may spend time designing landscapes, planting gardens, or even installing things like ponds and gazebos.

When it comes to the more complicated projects for your landscape, it is critical to hire the right person for the job. In many cases, you may need a specialist– known as a tree surgeon– without even knowing it.

A tree surgeon is not the same as any general landscaping services provider, and the job is even different from a standard arborist.

What to Know About Tree Surgeons

Tree Surgeon vs. Arborist

On the surface, a tree surgeon and an arborist may seem like they do the same thing: both work with trees and maintain their health. But what exactly separates a tree surgeon from an arborist?

Arborists and tree surgeons both manage the care of a tree, but they do so in some critically different ways.

An arborist has extensive knowledge of the trees they are tending. It is the job of an arborist to identify any disease or issue in a tree and design the best plan of action for returning the tree to health. Arborists are wonderful for those looking to plant trees that do not yet exist since an arborist can help you determine which trees will grow best in your landscape.

Tree surgeons also have a great deal of knowledge regarding the trees they work with, but the tasks they perform are much different. Just like a surgeon you may see for a knee replacement, tree surgeons are typically called upon when a significant issue has been detected.

After an arborist or other landscaping professional diagnoses the problem with your tree, a tree surgeon will handle the procedure. Tree surgeons complete tree trimming, tree felling, and even stump grinding to best serve the needs of the landscape. Tree surgery requires an individual with great skill since it can be a very dangerous job. The job must be completed perfectly, or you risk a tree falling on a home, car, or even a person.

When Should I Call a Tree Surgeon?

When you have dead, decaying trees that need to be removed, a tree surgeon should be called immediately to mitigate the risk of a tree falling.

Tree surgeons are necessary for any project that requires cutting a tree. From crown thinning to canopy raising to weight removal, a tree surgeon must be called for all tree projects to ensure the best care for your trees, your landscape, and your family.

Contact p Today

Not all tree surgeons are the same. When it comes to tree surgery, you need a highly qualified technician to do the job right the first time. Avoid the danger and expense of a project gone sideways by hiring the right landscaping maintenance company to meet your specific needs. Whether it is lawn mowing, leaf removal, or more complex projects like hardscape installation, The Parke Company is the right landscaping company for the job.

Our experienced professionals are ready to develop a landscaping plan that works for your property and your budget. Don’t leave your landscaping maintenance up to chance. Give us a call (615-350-6033) or contact us online today to see how The Parke Company difference can work for you.

Can You Over-Mulch?

Person with mulch in their hand

As a proud property owner, you are doing everything you can to help your lawn flourish. Between irrigation systems, careful monitoring, and hiring the perfect landscaping services, decisions like mulching may seem simple. While it may not be as intricate of a process or as overwintering or a hardscape installation, mulching is much more complex than it may seem.

Let’s explore the complexities of mulching so we can assure you don’t over-mulch and hurt the lawn you’ve worked so hard to maintain.

Is it Possible to Over-Mulch?

Over Mulching

Mulch is great for your lawn and garden when it is done correctly. It can fertilize and protect your landscape to create the lush, beautiful backyard or garden you’ve always dreamed of.

Unfortunately, there are a number of different things that can go wrong when you over-mulch. One of the worst effects of over-mulching is the suffocation of plants. Dropping too much mulch around the roots of your trees or plants can cut off the roots’ ability to absorb nutrients and grow.

In addition to stifling the growth of plants, large piles of mulch can also harbor plant disease.

Typically, mulch is a great way for your soil to retain moisture and nourish plants. But when too much mulch is used, the mulch traps moisture without releasing it, which can lead to mildew and rot of your plants’ roots.

Mulching Done Right

Mulching right isn’t easy, but it also isn’t impossible if you’re willing to do a bit of work in your yard. When deciding how much mulch to use, it’s essential to choose the right type of mulch for your yard. There are important decisions to make regarding organic versus inorganic mulch, color, material, and other factors when deciding what will be best for your yard.

Especially if you are a landscaping novice, you may want to contact a landscaping company to help determine which type of mulch will have the greatest impact on your landscape’s health and fit your budget. Once you’ve determined the type of mulch you want to use, determining the amount of mulch to use takes some simple calculation and observation.

Watch out for mulch “volcanoes”, the pyramid shapes that form at the bottom of your tree or plant’s roots. These mulch volcanoes are an indication you’ve over-mulched and are sure to trap moisture that will rot of your plants. You can also check a tree’s roots to double-check that you have not mulched too much. The roots should always be visible. If they aren’t, you’ve probably over-mulched.

The easiest and most efficient way to determine how much mulch is right is by hiring high-quality landscaping services to figure it out for you. Expert professionals like those at The Parke Company can quickly and efficiently determine the right type and amount of mulch for your lawn. By hiring lawn services, you avoid the hassle of repairing damaged plants and save yourself the headache of trying to uncode the formula for the perfect amount of mulch.

Contact The Parke Company Today

Even if your mulching project starts off with good intentions, things can quickly go awry if you don’t know how to do it right. Avoid the hassle and the mess of a project gone sideways by hiring the right landscaping maintenance company to meet your specific needs. Whether it is lawn mowing, leaf removal, or more complex projects like hardscape installation, The Parke Company is the right landscaping company for the job.

Our experienced professionals are ready to develop a landscaping plan that works for your property and your budget. Don’t leave your landscaping maintenance up to chance. Give us a call (615-350-6033) or contact us online today to see how The Parke Company difference can work for you.

Build Your Dream Garden This Spring

Tulips in the spring

It’s time for something bright and cheery to lighten everyone’s mood. New interior design like a fresh coat of paint or new throw pillows can be nice, but this season calls for backyard parties and outdoor gatherings galore. Now is the time to start planning and budgeting for everything you want out of your backyard space this spring and summer season.

Fortunately, with The Parke Company, you don’t have to decide between a beautiful patio or a colorful garden. With our experienced technicians, you can install everything from hardscapes to softscapes to bring your garden to life.

At The Parke Company, we’re ready to make your garden dreams come true this spring; here is how.

How to Create Your Dream Garden

Landscape Design

It can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to landscape services. How do you prepare soil for new plants? How do you know what will grow best in your region? How do you know what plants are safe around your pets and children?

You could spend your days poring over articles trying to earn your honorary degree in agriculture– or you could talk with one of our expert landscaping professionals.

At The Parke Company, we specialize in more than just clearing spaces and planting flowers. We take the time to get to know your property’s specific needs and work with you to devise the perfect plan for fulfilling your gardening dreams. We can help you determine the best type of garden for your aesthetic preferences, level of commitment, and, most importantly: your budget.

Hardscapes

Not only can beautiful flowers, lawns, and shrubbery help to liven your garden this spring, but hardscapes can also be the key component in bringing your garden dreams to life. If your backyard space has been feeling a little lackluster, hardscapes can help to elevate your garden area with no maintenance required.

Hardscapes are a great way to add interest to the look of your garden without the requirement of frequent maintenance. Installations like water features can be the perfect way to wow guests (even if you don’t want to spend a lot of time tending a garden).

Between pavers, walkways, lighting fixtures, and ponds, hardscape installations are a surefire way to create an oasis in your garden that will last even through the winter. And with the right landscaping company, you’ll never even have to lift a finger.

Contact The Parke Company Today

Most of us have been dreaming about our spring and summer plans all winter long. Guarantee your wish-fulfillment by hiring the right landscaping maintenance company to meet your specific needs. Whether it is lawn mowing, leaf removal, or more complex projects like hardscape installation, The Parke Company is the right landscaping company for the job.

Our experienced professionals are ready to develop a landscaping plan that works for your property and your budget. Don’t leave your landscaping maintenance up to chance. Give us a call (615-350-6033) or contact us online today to see how The Parke Company difference can work for you.

What Add-Ons Should I Consider to My Irrigation System?

Sprinkler head in a lawn

While it would be nice to have perfect spring conditions all year long, spring only lasts a few months for most of us. Even if you live in an area with four seasons, it is possible to extend the benefits of the warm, moisture-filled months through an irrigation system.

With an irrigation system, you can control the amount of moisture in your lawn or garden to make sure that your landscape gets the perfect amount of watering, regardless of the conditions outside.

An irrigation system can be one of the best ways to create a lush, verdant lawn even in the dry months, but there are more things you can add to your irrigation system to optimize garden growth even further. Here’s what you should consider incorporating.

What You Should Add to an Irrigation System

Sprinkler Heads

While many people immediately picture in-ground sprinklers when they hear “irrigation systems”, those are not always included in the typical irrigation system installation.

Adding on sprinkler heads to your irrigation system is a great way to create a dramatic difference in your landscape’s quality.

Even if you have an irrigation system already, adding on rotary sprinkler heads can be a great way to expand your irrigation system’s reach and create a greener lawn.

Smart Controllers

Whether your motivations are to save money, reduce water usage, or both, it is always a good idea to add smart controllers to your irrigation system. If you have automatic settings on your irrigation system, your programs for watering may not respond to changes in your landscape and the environment around it. Ultimately, this results in lost money you didn’t need to spend in watering your landscape, as well as a waste of water that is harmful to the environment.

Asking your landscaping services company about installing a smart controller to your irrigation system is a great way to get a lush lawn and feel good about your investments.

Budgeting with Irrigation

Some add-ons to your irrigation system may just be more of your irrigation system.

Because of the nature of the installation, it can be installed in parts. Many property owners may not be ready to invest in fully irrigating their whole lawn or garden, so adding on to their irrigation system piece-by-piece is a great way to pace investments and beautify the landscape without breaking the bank.

Talking with your lawn services company about your options for a long term plan of irrigation system installation is a great way to cater to your budget without compromising the quality of your landscape.

Contact The Parke Company Today

Complicated tasks like irrigation systems are best left to the experts. Avoid a DIY disaster by hiring the right landscaping maintenance company to meet your specific needs.

Whether it is lawn mowing, leaf removal, or more complex projects like hardscape installation, The Parke Company is the right landscaping company for the job.

The Parke Company’s experienced professionals are ready to develop a landscaping plan that works for your property and your budget. Don’t leave your landscaping maintenance up to chance. Give us a call (615-350-6033) or contact us online today to see how The Parke Company difference can work for you.