Property Improvement - Arborvitae Wall

We are working to improve the look and the drainage on our South property line. 

Arborvitae is a popular evergreen choice for hedges because of its tall, narrow growth habit. Arborvitae grows best in full sun, but will tolerate light shade and prefer fertile, moist, well-drained soil.

 

We’re installing catch basins between the newly planted Arborvitaes and then trenching a drainage pipe along the backside of the tree line all the way to the street.  This is to improve the environment for the Arborvitae, as they cannot survive in extremely wet conditions.  This also improves the drainage situation for our South neighbor, who was periodically experiencing basement water.

#AtoZChallenge – X is for Xeriscape

If you're interested in keeping your watering bills low, talk to us about xeriscaping. The word is a portmanteau of the Greek word for dry and landscaping, and refers to landscape designs that minimize water use. Because the water department of Denver, Colorado has registered the trademark on that particular word, you can also call this specialized form of garden development water-conserving landscapes, drought-tolerant landscaping, or smart-scaping.

Typically, we encourage planting whose natural requirements are appropriate to the local climate anyway, as well as working to properly manage water flow; those are key components to making sure your property remains low-maintenance and low-cost over the long term.

Key advantages include:

• lower consumption of water, whether from the ground or the hose;
• more water available for the community;
• less time and work for maintenance (i.e. no lawns to mow);
• full advantage taken of rainfall retention in appropriate planting design, soil grading, and mulching;
• more likelihood that your landscaping will survive when water restrictions are implemented during droughts;
• can be more visually interesting than lawns.

Consider your options and ask Integrity to help you come up with a landscaping design that takes full advantage of Wisconsin's weather and temperature, while minimizing the ongoing maintenance thereafter.

Anticipating Your Lawn’s Return

We have had a brutal two months to close out this winter season, but that doesn’t mean spring temperatures aren’t right around the corner. While the forecasters tell us another visit by Mother Nature’s snow machine is not out of the question, we’d like to remind you that sensible gardening has to pay attention to the erosion that’s possible with the spring melt.

Especially in cases where your home is built on a steeper grade, runoff from piles of snow can quickly become gushing torrents, carving ruts into the sides of your property.

One way to avoid these issues is to push your end-of-season snow banks further away from your house. Be sure to watch for and avoid blocking off any drainage culverts.

Another way is to consider a terracing job once the warmer weather is truly in swing. Proper drainage will ensure your basement stays safe and dry, while also increasing the curbside appeal of your house, raising its market value.