The first thing people see before they enter your home is your front yard. First impressions matter, so it’s important to keep it looking great. You can add some much-needed curb appeal to the exterior of your home through landscaping. If you don’t know where to start, here are some of the most important materials you need to start on your home landscaping project.
Gravel
Gravel is a loose collection of pounded stone that is often used as an accent for gardens, landscape beds, or walkways. It can also be a great alternative to grass, particularly if you live in a warmer area where you experience frequent droughts. There are different kinds of gravel such as crushed stone, glass gravel, and pea gravel. The latter is the most popular type of gravel and it’s the one most commonly used for landscaping projects, especially for driveways. Make sure to get high-quality pea gravel at any rock production company in Utah that can withstand the wear and tear of being exposed to the elements.
Mulch
Mulch is a groundcover placed around plants that traps moisture under the top layer of soil. This helps curb weed growth and provides more nutrients to the soil in your yard. They can come in the form of straw, hay, shredded leaves, grass clippings, wood chips, pine needles, stone, and more.
Soil & Fertilizer
Healthy, good-quality soil is necessary when it comes to creating a gorgeous yard. Soil allows for flowers and plants to grow and thrive which ensures that you have a beautiful, lush landscape. The best kind of soil is one that feels mealy and contains roughly 50% sand, 25% to 30% silt, 25% play, and 5% to 10% organic matter. To see if you have the perfect texture, make sure to test it by rubbing a pinch of moist soil between your thumb and forefinger. It shouldn’t feel too gritty, too smooth, or too sticky. Fertilizer provides extra nutrients for your plants and helps them grow much faster and healthier.
Pavers and Bricks
A stone path leading up to your house and a cozy patio makes for a great front yard. You can make them out of pavers and bricks, which are better alternatives to concrete and natural stone. They come in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes so you can let your creativity shine when it comes to creating your perfect patio or stone path. Don’t forget that you’ll need to compact and level the earth before installing these materials.
Wall Blocks and Edgers
Using retaining wall blocks and edgers is an efficient way to create landmarks, keep your paths in line, and outline your garden and paths. Your front yard will look much more orderly and tidy when you add some boundaries and markers. These also come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so you can definitely match them with any other materials that you use that are made out of wood.
Spruce up your yard and make a great first impression with any of these essential landscaping materials.
