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Tailored Grounds Care Solutions
337.513.4118 337.513.4118 337.513.4118 || GroundsGuys.com GroundsGuys.com www.GroundsGuys.com/lake-charles/ Independently owned and operated franchise. Independently owned operatedFranchise franchise. Locally Owned andand Operated
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Build a Better Landscape Provided by The Grounds Guys There’s a lot to consider when building a beautiful new landscape! Keep these key elements in mind when planning your new construction or landscape renovation project:
LANDSCAPE BED PREPARATION New homes are built on a pad of compacted construction dirt. These compacted soils are poorly suited for plant roots and limit healthy growth. To remedy this, loosen the soil to a depth of at least 8 inches and incorporate generous amounts of organic matter to landscape beds before installing plants.
LOUISIANA NATIVE BEDDING PLANTS Louisiana native plants evolved naturally in our climate’s heat, humidity, and high rainfall, and are well adapted to our soils and pests. Each spring and fall LSU AgCenter horticulturists unveil a list of Louisiana Super Plants which have been evaluated and selected for their superior performance in Louisiana growing conditions. These tough and beautiful plants have endured several years of university evaluations and observations ensuring they are well suited to Louisiana landscapes.
IRRIGATION (SPRINKLER) SYSTEM Despite Louisiana’s high annual rainfall, irrigation is needed to establish and maintain healthy landscape plants because of extreme hot or dry weather conditions in the summer months. Lawns typically need 1 inch of water a week. However, superficially watering the surface isn’t enough, as water evaporates. The most efficient time to water lawns is in the early morning hours from 2 a.m. until sunrise. Watering during these hours reduces evaporation loss and puts less strain on municipal water systems, while minimizing the risk of moisture-related turfgrass diseases.
SOD INSTALLATION Sodding is a common method for establishing turfgrass lawns in Louisiana and can be installed year-round depending on environmental conditions. Site preparation is important, starting with elimination of any existing vegetation. Next, aerate and loosen the soil by tilling to a depth of 4 to 6 inches, followed by removal of dead vegetation and debris. In-ground drainage and/or irrigation systems should also be installed at this time. Rake the area to remove any remaining debris and shape the surface to facilitate drainage and establish final grade. Immediately following installation, water until the sod and soil underneath are both moist. Keeping these fundamentals in mind will help ensure years of enjoyment with your new or newly renovated landscape! 18 DESIGN & BUILD 2022
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