Many homeowners pay a great deal of attention to their backyards. The backyard is an extension of the home, whether it’s going to be used for family gatherings, a safe play area for the kids, or as a quiet area to enjoy being outdoors without having to step foot away from home.
The joys of a beautiful backyard cannot be overstated, and there is evidence that gazing at greenery in nature is actually calming for the soul. This is why people so often feel more relaxed and have better clarity of mind after spending time in a serene and grassy area.
For homeowners, trying to tame nature in the backyard can seem daunting, especially on top of all the endless chores and maintenance that must be done daily inside the home. That’s why many homeowners turn to residential lawn care services, knowing that the pros can achieve results that are both impressive and interesting to look at.
So what can a homeowner do to enhance their backyard space, either with professional help or with a can-do attitude on a long, beautiful weekend? Here are some ideas and tips to create your very own outdoor oasis with lush turf and trees.
Why Lush Turf?
For something so ubiquitous as grass, it’s often a challenge for homeowners to get right. In fact, growing a lush green lawn can be a bit tricky, even for those with green thumbs. With the use of lush turf, many of the “bumps” in this endeavor can be avoided. Think of turf like a shortcut to the kind of gorgeous lawn that your neighbors will admire and your family will happily enjoy barefoot.
The key to successful turf installation is choosing the right kind of grass. Let’s use Pennsylvania as an example. Solutions might vary regionally, so some research will be required. In Pennsylvania, a homeowner should look for cool season grasses such as tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass, all of which can thrive in the Northeast climate. They’re durable and come back well in the spring. Your best bet is to get a blend based on how much shade or sun is in your backyard. When considering lushness, this simply refers to the blade density that you can expect. Like carpet, a higher density will feel thicker and “lush” to the feet — and will look fuller to the eye.
Caring for Turf
Once the turf is installed, it’s essential to nurture it so it grows strong roots and thrives. This means watering regularly. If you don’t have an in-ground sprinkler system, you can use inexpensive sprinkler heads and lay them out strategically around the yard so all the areas are reached. Use a measuring device to track how much water you’re dispersing, since you don’t want to overwater, either.
Selecting and Installing Trees
With the addition of a few select trees, you can really make your backyard look finished. Installing trees on the mature side — versus planting a sapling or whip (a slender, young tree with few or no branches) — really gives homeowners an opportunity to create a viewing rhythm. Carefully placed trees can draw the eye through the landscape, guiding attention from one area to the next and creating a sense of flow that makes the space feel intentional, layered, and complete. It’s a subtle design strategy that professionals use that elevates even a modest yard into something that feels really special.
Which Varieties of Trees are Best?
Pennsylvania’s climate is kind to native trees like red maple, white oak, serviceberry, and dogwood. Dogwood, red maple, and serviceberry have the added benefit of producing very beautiful flowers, particularly dogwood. Red maple and white oak are considered shade trees, so place these in open areas where you’d like to create a respite from the sun. Serviceberry is only going to mature into a small tree, with a maximum height of 15 to 25 feet. It’s usually used like an accent tree. Dogwoods can grow up to 25 feet, but they’re often wider than tall, with spreads reaching up to 30 feet wide. Birds are attracted to dogwood, which adds an idyllic element to your backyard if you enjoy birdsong.
So how about it? Are you ready to transform your backyard into an oasis using just turf and the addition of a few select trees? With smart planning and a little local knowledge, turning your backyard into a beautiful vista is entirely within your reach.
Sources:
https://evergreenfoundationnh.org/how-to-create-large-lush-private-low-maintenance-landscapes/
https://www.landtechscenery.com/softscape-landscaping-design
https://extension.psu.edu/turfgrass-species-for-pennsylvania
https://www.plantingtree.com/blogs/gardening/the-dogwood-tree
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/04/nurtured-nature
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