The fall usually brings beautiful weather and you should take advantage of this to take care of your lawn. You should mow your lawn and then remove all of the clippings of grass. Leaving the clippings will cause the sunlight to not be able to reach the grass during the winter, therefore denying the lawn of the necessary nutrients it needs to thrive.

Also, make sure that all of the leaves are raked which, depending on the number of trees, can be quite a long and tedious job. Leaves prevent sunlight from reaching the grass and can cause mold on the ground. All of the leaves should be removed before snow falls for the first time.

Remove the weeds from the landscape as they will deplete the nutrients in the ground as well as sprout early in the spring. They should be removed from the roots and mulch should be placed around trees and shrubs in order to protect them from the cold.

If you have birdbaths on your lawn, they should be emptied of water and then removed from the lawn. Use the winter to also repaint any of the ornaments which you may have on the lawn. Do not leave the ornaments on the lawn. If they do not need to be repainted or restored, simply store them in the basement or garage. Freezing rain and snow can deteriorate the ornaments and lead to their inevitable replacement.

Make sure that any outdoor faucets are freeze proof and that the hose is put away and drained of water. If this is not done, water may freeze inside causing either the hose or faucet to burst.

Throughout the winter, walk through the yard every so often and remove any leaves or branches which may have fallen. The winterization of the yard is not a one-day process but can make all of the difference to your lawn.

What Is Design-Build

The concept of design-build is an extension of the old business idea of being a “one-stop-shop”. In times past, landscaping customers would frequently find themselves hiring two or more separate companies or individuals to handle the various aspects of a single project. At least two of these would be:

• A Landscape Architect or Designer – this service was often provided by an individual or small firm. A good design professional is able to grasp a client’s needs and desires and help them develop a unique vision for the work at hand. The vision was generally followed-up with plans and specifications, and sometimes the service of project management was offered.
• A Landscape Contractor – this work was taken on by a company that employed the workers, owned the equipment, and had the proper experience and licensure to actually complete the work and vision developed by the design professional, who was often no longer in the picture.

Design-build landscaping not only combines these services, but greatly enhances and improves upon them. By bringing the entire scope of work for a professional landscaping project under one roof, the design-build contractor is able to offer service, work quality, and a customer experience that can’t be had any other way.

The Real Benefits of Design-Build

Customers who have once gone the route of design-build rarely go back. The advantages of the method are too great and the cost savings too significant to consider any other approach. The overall list of benefits is extensive, but a few keys advantages should be at the forefront of any decision regarding the design-build option.

• Cost-Savings – overall, the design-build approach is significantly more efficient.
• Budget Accuracy – The design-build contractor understands both your budget and the cost of doing business, they can design accordingly.
• Project Flow – no waiting for an answer from a third party when questions arise.
• Better and simplified relationships – When there are only two parties involved, responsibilities and expectations are much more clear.

In short, design-build is simply a better way to approach an improvement such as professional landscaping and the use of a reputable design-build contractor is a decision that owners will not regret.