DIY Network

Curb Appeal: Beds Prepared for Planting From "Home IQ" episode DHIQ-124

Once the backfilling has been completed for the irrigation sprinkler system for our homeowners (Brad and Lynn Oberg), the landscaping crew starts to work on the plant-bed prep by leveling out the existing soil, bringing in fresh soil and getting it to grade.

Once the yard is close to grade, Pat Douds (landscape designer) marks the shapes of the beds (figure A) and then distributes a layer of the fresh topsoil over the entire yard, not just the beds since the lawn will be planted soon.

To separate the plant beds from the lawn, a V-shaped channel is cut (figure B) into the ground where the beds meet the lawn, which gives the bed a rising-out-of-the-ground effect.

Figure A

Figure B

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A weed-control fabric is put under all the areas that will have stones on top. This fabric (figure C) allows drainage but prevents weeds from growing up.

Selection and Staging of the Plants

With the basic prep work done, the staging of the plants begins. Douds and his team start working with the plants that he and our homeowners selected (figure D).

Plant selection varies from house to house, according to Douds, but when you have "new" homeowners they may not be willing to go full into the landscaping because they've spent a lot of money constructing the house. Lynn and Brad designed their landscaping so it would go well with the home's natural backdrop.

Figure C

Figure D

	Figure E
	Figure F
	Figure G

Plants Used in the Oberg's Landscaping

• River Birch (Betula nigra)

• Serbian Spruce (Picea omorika -- figure E -- the River Birch is on the left and the Spruce on the right)

• Forest Pansy Redbud (Cercis Canadensis "Forest Pansy" figure F)

• Allegany Viburnum (Viburnum x rhytidophylloides "Allegany")

• Morning Light Miscanthus (Mischanthus sinensis "Morning Glory")

• Siberian Iris (Irish sibirica)

• Goldmound Spirea (Spiraea "Goldmound" figure G)

• Purple Rhododendron (Rhododendron catawbiense)

• Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)

• Flowering Dogwood (Cornus Florida)

• Kousa Dogwood (Cornus kousa chinensis)

• Red Sunset Maple (Acer rubrum "Red Sunset")

	Figure H
	Figure I
	Figure J

Our Homeowners' Surprise! and Placing the Rest of the Plants

The unique landscape design is almost done when Lynn shows up to share a surprise with Douds -- she and Brad want a fountain, which they had already purchased, to be included.

To accommodate the new fountain, Douds and his crew had to dig up the Japanese maple tree (figure H) and the surrounded grasses they had "just" planted, which isn't an easy task.

Note: Like "any" change made after the work is done on a construction job, the homeowners have to cover the added cost. But when the fountain does arrive (figure I), it definitely is worth the extra money. And the maple tree is a mere feet away from where it was originally.

Over on the side of the house the plants are much bigger (figure J) and require a different approach. Before each plant is put into the ground it's placed on top of the bed to give everyone an idea of how it looks. It's also important to consider how the plants will grow. "You probably want to leave at least 6' to 8' on center," Douds said.

To enrich the ground around plantings the crew digs a hole and shovels fresh topsoil in the dirt, which is mixed and placed back around the roots of the bush. And you can never have too much good topsoil, and multiple truckloads are needed for the Oberg's landscaping.

In the last segment the final natural elements are added to the landscaping.

RESOURCES :

Interlocking Paving Stones & Versa-Lok® Retaining Wall Systems
R.I. Lampus Co.
Website: www.lampus.com

Land Excavation
Crea Excavating, Inc.
1315 Pleasant Hills Rd.
Wexford, PA 15090-6807
Phone: 724-935-2959

GUESTS :

Brad and Lynn Oberg
Homeowners
Company: IBACOS (Brad)
Title: Co-Founder/Chief Technology Officer
Website: www.ibacos.com

Greg Allen
Site Supervisor
Hendolhurst Homes
955 Markman Park Rd.
Baden, PA 15005
Phone: 724-935-5658
Fax: 724-935-0884
E-mail: gcrbs@adelphia.net

Pat Douds
Landscape Designer
Douds Bros. Landscape Construction, Inc.
Phone and Fax: 724-898-2006
E-mail: mike@doudsbrosinc.com