A new concept in retaining walls is becoming popular and improving the looks of landscapes all over the country.
The concept is the modular concrete retaining wall, and it is long, lasting and comes in a variety of colors and even-faces, such as a natural rock front. What's more; it provides an effective shield to hold soil in place keeping it from shifting and eroding.
Modular concrete walls are equally effective for small decorative terraces one or two feet high as they are for major soil-retention efforts. In fact, these can be built to stand 30 feet tall.
The blocks are either made with fiberglass dowels to pin them together block-by-block, or with interlocking joints. This makes installation easy because no mortar, cutting tools or spikes are needed and no concrete footing is necessary as with other types of retailing walls. They are also lightweight and simple to build.
"Once the first course is level they go up like children's blocks," says Shara Weaver, owner of Aspen Valley Landscape Supply, a company that sells the blocks. Weaver says this easy installation should not be underestimated because it means greatly reduced labor demands and costs over building other types of walls.
The blocks also come in different shapes, including corner and angular blocks, which means they can accommodate a variety of landscape designs, soil conditions and structural needs. Along with the standard straight wall, you can build just about any kind of wall imaginable, including curved walls and variations on terrace walls.
But perhaps the best feature of modular concrete walls is their durability and resilience. Since they are made of concrete blocks pinned together, they not only can hold tons of soil, but also can expand and contract as soil expands and contracts during times of thawing and freezing. So while other retaining walls are fighting this natural process and becoming cracked and stressed as a result, the modular concrete wall simply works with it.
If you need to build or improve on a wall, you may want to consider a concrete modular wall. You will appreciate its strength, durability, and looks.
Look around. Are your trees trying to tell you something?
Trees should have an abundance of vibrant, healthy looking leaves. Leaves that are rather pale, sparse and undersized are a good indication that the tree is not getting the nutrients it needs.
While other factors could be involved such as pest infestation or adverse weather, chances are if you see leaves that don't look quite healthy, the tree needs to be fertilized. Of course, if you would like to know for sure what is causing the problem, soil tests are available.
Although the best time for fertilizing trees is in the fall, an early fertilization could help with the look of the tree for this summer. Whatever you do, don't ignore your trees. If they are trying to tell you something, it is best to listen.
Mulch is something that occurs naturally in a forest. It is a protective layer of organic material that prevents weed growth and soil erosion, insulates soil so it is cooler in summer and warmer in winter, and provides nutrients to the soil and roots below.
Yet, what occurs naturally in a forest is interrupted by the traffic, mowings and other disturbances related to urban settings. That is why many landscape owners have to buy a mulch to put in their landscapes.
Mulch can be applied just about anywhere, but most commonly it is distributed around trees, shrubs and flower beds. It is also good to put mulch over the top of weed control fabric to help bring air and water to the soil underneath the fabrics.
Overall mulch can:
 | Inhibit the growth of unwanted plants (weeds) from your landscape |
| Make it easier to remove any weeds that do grow |
| Conserve water in soil by inhibiting evaporation |
| Reduce soil erosion |
| Increase water intake by soil |
| Increase air intake by soil |
| Supply nutrition to soil |
| Insulate soil from heat and cold |
When you choose a mulch, make sure it is uniform in color (for aesthetic reasons) and it is coarse. Coarse mulch is best because it prevents moisture from leaving the soil whereas thinner mulch does not do as good a job and can compact over time, actually causing water to evaporate more rapidly. Coarse mulch also reduces erosion better.
Late summer and periods of drought often go hand-in-hand. Here are some ways you can prepare your landscape for periods of blistering sun and little rainfall.
1. When planting, find species that are drought-tolerant.
2. Have your lawn aerated; Aeration loosens soil and allows more water to penetrate deep into the soil, near roots.
3 Use water sparingly in early spring and water substantially in the late spring and early summer. Otherwise, your plants will develop roots near the surface level and will not have the deep roots needed to survive a drought.
"What can your eye desire to see, your ears to hear, your mouth to take or your nose to smell that is not to be had in a garden?
--- William Larson
This information is provided as a public
service by Alan Horticultural Enterprises, a full-service landscape management company.
Although we've been in business 20 years and service over 80 multifamily properties, we
maintain personal, one-on-one relationships with all of our clients to ensure customer
satisfaction. We are an environmentally conscious company, using EPA-approved products to
maintain healthy lawns that are beneficial for humans, pets and wildlife. If we can help
you with your lawn needs or questions, please call us at 630-739-0205.
ALAN HORTICULTURAL ENTERPRISES, INC.