by Simpson Landscape | Feb 16, 2016 | Articles |
By Michelle Slatalla for Gardenista Waiting for spring can make you as antsy as waiting for Christmas did when you were a kid. Will it ever get here? And then suddenly it does…and there’s no more luxurious time to scheme or dream. This year we’re looking at these last weeks of winter as a gift—precious time to prepare for spring. Barb Pierson, nursery manager at White Flower Farm in Connecticut, has 10 essential tips to prepare a garden for spring. We’re on it: Photography by Sara Barrett for Gardenista, except where noted. 1. See What’s Missing When trees are bare and plants are dormant is the best time to study a garden’s underpinnings. “In the winter, you can see what’s missing. Are there areas where you need screening because you suddenly you notice the air conditioning unit that looks horrible?” asks Pierson. Read the full article... 
by Simpson Landscape | Feb 1, 2016 | Articles |
Last year, North Texas experienced an exceptionally wet year due to the effects of an “El Nino” weather pattern. As a result, our drought was busted, but proper landscape drainage has never been more important to the health of your landscape and to the structural integrity of your home. A landscape design with proper drainage is especially important where, soils are dense, land is flat or the water table is high. Well-designed drainage systems can promote healthier planting areas, reduce surface erosion problems, and reduce the possibility of home or building foundation damage. Without proper drainage solutions for your property in place, water could collect and actually destabilize structures over time. It could also drown expensive plants and damage your landscape by essentially turning parts of your yard into a messy, wet swamp. Problem #1: Surface Water Solution: Surface Drainage Property sites that have clay soil can encounter problems with lingering surface water. In theory, the lot was supposed to be graded to drain so that the water in the backyard flows through a swale down the side yard to the curb or storm drain. But in reality, home builders can miscalculate their grades and water becomes trapped, causing muddy zones in lawns and planting areas. A surface drainage system consists of shallow ditches and should include land smoothing or land grading. When your landscape designer creates the new drainage plan, it may include surface grading to ensure there is enough of a slope to drain. If there is not, alternatives for drainage are available. The French drain (or weeping tile) is a trench filled with gravel or rock or containing...