Landscaping is an important element of any property in Michigan. Not only does landscaping add to the overall appearance and value of a property, but it can also add immense amounts of curb-appeal when selling your home because prospective buyers love looking at landscaped houses when deciding whether or not to make an offer.
The following are some best practices for landscaping in Michigan:
1. Select plants that won't require much maintenance and will be able to stay permanently outdoors in all types of weather conditions. This will help save you time and money during the colder months when watering plants would be difficult because they wouldn't get adequate water drainage due to frozen ground, snow cover or heavy rainfall from snowmelt/storm runoff.
2. Select plants that are suitable to the soil conditions in your yard. If you have heavy clay or sandy soil, select xeriscape plants rather than deep-rooted species. Xeriscape is a certain type of landscaping design philosophy that emphasizes using native vegetation and xerophytes (drought-resistant plants) to create low-maintenance landscapes that require little water in areas with restricted irrigation. For example, plant lawns in the northern region only when ground moisture levels are adequate to sustain grass growth at least six months out of the year (April through September).
3. Make barriers like gravel or fencing available for perimeter control where needed for pets or children's safety. This also serves to keep grass and leaves from blowing onto your driveway or sidewalk.
4. If you are going to be away for an extended period of time, consider having a friend or neighbor tend to your lawn while you are gone. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has made recommendations regarding hiring someone to maintain your yard during the winter months when lawn equipment is not being used. It's best to get permission from whoever owns the property that you're using before cutting into their siding or fence with your mower or weed eater, even if it's just for five minutes! Be sure to follow all safety guidelines in terms of marking off hazards, appropriate clothing and other protective gear when performing any type of landscaping work - especially if you have to use a ladder to reach high areas.
5. When it comes time to fertilize, be sure you're using the right type of fertilizer for your specific yard's conditions, i.e., acidifying or alkalizing fertilizers for soil that is too acidic or too basic. Also, keep in mind that fertilizer should only be applied when needed because over-fertilizing lawns can cause "burning" due to salt accumulation, overwatering and other problems.
6. Be careful not to overwater because this can lead to runoff after rainfall events or melting snow, especially if you have an in-ground irrigation system with sprinkler heads set on timers. This may also encourage root rot diseases in plants. It's recommended to have a soil test performed so you know what your plants' specific needs are and how much fertilizer, if any, is needed for the plant's life cycle.
7. Be aware of Michigan landscaping regulations in terms of backyard composting/mulching/dumping because this may be regulated by local municipal codes or conservation groups that manage watershed areas near you. Some students have learned this lesson the hard way when dumping yard clippings into a nearby lake causes a water quality problem downstream! Unfortunately, it only takes one mistake like this for an entire neighborhood or community to be affected. Even though you may not think your behavior is hurting anyone else, other people don't always see it that way too, and some think that someone cutting their grass on a hot day is wasting too much water (which is an indirect form of water pollution).
8. Keep your yard turf mowed, weeds pulled and other landscaping debris cleaned up to provide more aesthetically pleasing views for landscapes around your home. This will not only help keep your property values high but contribute to the health and well-being of local wildlife by providing them with food and shelter/nesting materials if needed.
Michigan landscaping can be big responsibility, but with the proper planning and knowledge about how to get it done right, you can have an amazing yard that will be low-maintenance and enjoyed for years.
