Get matched with top landscapers in Spring Valley, WI

In most cases, buying plants from a local greenhouse or nursery is well worth the investment, even though they tend to be a bit more expensive than those at a home improvement store. Employees at nurseries are usually well-versed in gardening and understand how the climate in your area affects different plants. They can help you make selections based on your skill level and time commitment to your landscaping, and they can provide detailed care instructions and advice to help keep your plants alive and diagnose and treat issues like pest infestation and illness.

Since you’ll likely be digging a trench to install your yard drainage system, this is a good time to complete other tasks that involve digging up your yard, including: Sprinkler system installation Lawn reseeding Regrading your yard Redesigning your landscaping If your drain is under a walkway or driveway, your contractor must also remove those materials. This is a great time to consider upgrading your hardscaping features, especially if they’re nearing the end of their life span.

The best type of rock for landscaping depends on your specific project and needs, as different rocks are suited for different applications. For covering large areas or creating an affordable driveway, consider gravel, but note that it can wash away in flowing water. For water features, river rocks are a good option. Flagstone and cobblestone are ideal for aesthetically pleasing patios and walkways. If you are building a stone wall, fieldstone or small boulders are up to the task. Large boulders and landscape rocks work well as statement pieces, to fill empty space, or to indicate boundaries, but be mindful that they can overwhelm smaller gardens. The best approach is to first define your landscaping project and then select the rock type that best fits that purpose.

Unless it only rains once in a blue moon where you live, you’re going to want water-loving plants in your garden bed or pot. A few ideas for plants that aren’t super fast-growing (meaning they’re good in pots or near foundations) and can handle a lot of standing water include: 

• Acorus (Sweet flag)

• Colocasia esculenta (Taro or elephant ear): In many climates, these are annuals, making them less desirable because you need to adjust the chain again after each replant.

• Equisetum scirpoides (Dwarf horsetail rush): non-dwarf varieties of horsetail are fast growers and can take over quickly.

• Juncus effusus (Curly rush)

• Osmunda regalis (Royal fern): Royal fern can grow quickly but can also handle being crowded, making them good container plants.