What​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ We’ve Learned About Landscaping in Phoenix, MD After Working in Baltimore County Yards

 

When someone works in residential yards around Professional Landscaping Services in Phoenix, MD for a good amount of time, he or she starts to notice some tendencies. These are not the kind of features you would find in a glossy magazine. These are the ones you discover as you stand in a neighbors' backyard after a heavy rain, or while a homeowner is telling you why he has given up on using half of his outdoor space. Landscaping, in this case, has its own character influenced by the soil, weather, and the manner in which the neighborhoods have evolved over time.

Throughout our time at PTG Landscaping, short chats with homeowners starting with a sigh about the yard and ending with the word "but" have been countless. The "but" usually accounts for the water coming in where it shouldn't, the grass that doesn't grow, the slope that makes the lawnmower feel like an enemy. All such conversations have been a great source of learning for us because, besides landscaping, we've also had a glimpse into the lives and use of outdoor spaces of the people living here.

The Challenge We See Over and Over in Phoenix, MD Yards

The issue of drainage is what we find most frequently on the list of concerns a homeowner from Phoenix or the nearby areas raises to us. What we see might not always be dramatic flooding, either. Sometimes it is so subtle that one would have difficulty pointing to an actual example of it - after a rainstorm, the grass is still wet, the rails are washing down along the paths, or the flower beds do not flourish under any circumstances.

Why This Problem Is So Common in Our Part of Baltimore County

Most of it boils down to the heavy clay soil and water dynamics in our area. Phoenix is located in such a part of Baltimore County that the yards here tend to have more grade than people realize at a glance. Besides, the recent trend of heavy downpours during summer afternoons has also been noticed. Thus, the water finds itself with no other option but to run downhill.

Especially, the older houses were not built to withstand extremely heavy rainfalls as they do today. Drainage systems were simpler, grading was not always optimum, and issues that were minor, became irritations over the years.

A Real Homeowner Story From a Phoenix, MD Project

This project was a challenge for us because the family, who were the owners, had a fantastic outdoor lifestyle but had to stay indoors once it started to rain. The backyard was not completely off-limits, but it was sure not very inviting - there was soggy grass next to the patio, muddy fence line, and a feeling that the yard was never really dry.

What the Homeowner Was Frustrated With Before We Got Involved

They said they had been on a dead-end street. The total redo of the yard or turning it into something absolutely unfamiliar was out of question for them. All they wanted was a yard that worked better and a place that they could use without looking up the weather forecast first.

The Constraints We Had to Work Around

As is common, a Phoenix, MD property came with a yard that had grown trees that were not to be touched, a slope towards the backyard, and wish to keep the “natural” look without coming out as an overdoing. Such limitations compelled us to slow down and carefully observe the yard's reaction to rain.

Small Landscaping Choices That Made the Biggest Difference

It was not really one thing but rather the right mix of several tactics that helped in the end.

Design Decisions That Fit Phoenix, MD Yards Better Than “One-Size-Fits-All” Solutions

By adapting the grading to slow down water flow rather than keep it completely away, by selecting plants that are more tolerant to wet roots, and using permeable materials we managed to bring about enough of a change to be visible. The plants that were native or well adapted to the local area were the main players - they can withstand perfectly our local conditions which span from humid summers to rains that are hard to predict.

What We Didn’t Do—and Why That Mattered

Neither did we put in anything that was extravagant or complicated. No large retaining walls. No excessive hardscaping. In many cases, the most effective landscaping solution is the one that blends seamlessly with the existing setting and the only noticeable difference you have is that now the yard is more usable.

What We Now Share With Neighbors Thinking About Landscaping in Phoenix, MD

It is from working on yards like these that there are a few things that we often find ourselves uttering when the neighbors are looking for help.

What to Think About Before Changing Your Landscape

Before implementing any changes, observing your yard should be your first priority. Look at how the water flows when it rains. See which parts get dried up first and which stay humid. You will learn a lot about your yard if you just take a good look at it. These small observations will give you the right answer to your problem much better than any online checklist.

Questions Worth Asking Before Any Landscaping Project Starts

It is really important that you think about the possible uses of the space rather than how the space might look like in the end. Are you looking for low maintenance? A gathering spot? A quiet place that you can always count on to relax after work? Landscaping gets the greatest results when it is done in such a way that it is a reflection of the lifestyle of the people living in the house, not a copy of somebody else's.

How Landscaping Changes the Way You Use Your Yard

The small changes are the ones that the homeowners describe most vividly when they talk about their new habits after the yard has been landscaped. When a lawn is properly drained it is more likely to be used. People are drawn to a well-planned and purposely created outdoor area almost naturally even if they don't know the reason.

The Subtle Changes Homeowners Don’t Expect at First

Some of the families we have worked with have gradually increased the times out of doors for having dinner, and kids have come to spend more and more time outdoors, and the house owners smile with satisfaction as they look out their windows instead of frowning. These transformations do not necessarily have to take place as a result of a radical change, but mostly as a consequence of landscapes that for once allow the land to do its thing instead of constantly fighting it.

A Final Thought From Working in Phoenix, MD Landscapes

Landscaping in Phoenix, MD is not all about creating the perfect outdoor living space. It’s mainly about developing a deep connection with the land on which we exist—the dirt beneath our feet, the unpredictable rain, and the understanding of the way the neighborhoods have been growing. The best yards that we have come across are definitely not those that resist the phenomena of nature, but simply ones that take nature as it is.

Ultimately, a good yard is one that is not just another task on your list but an integral part of your home. Here in Baltimore County, a yard that functions as it should is not only reflected in the appearance but also in the way it lets you live more comfortably ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌outdoors.