Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, April 7, 1991 TAG: 9104060332
SECTION: A GUIDE TO BETTER HOMES PAGE: 2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KIM SUNDERLAND
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
What is this problem? It's called flat-lawn syndrome. But don't worry, just like an implant you can get for your body, you can fix it up to make it look like more than what it truly is.
One way to change the look of a flat lawn is to use soil.
"You can't do a lot without lots of soil," said Doug Walsh, co-owner of the Greenspire Nursery on Roanoke Street in Christiansburg. "Soil is the easiest way to change the look of a flat lawn."
Soil is used by many nurseries and landscape architects and designers to build berms and mounds, which are, simply put, raised planting beds.
"You dump the top soil, shape it and then add the plants," said Darrell Shanks, a landscape designer with Cox Nursery on Prices Fork Road in Blacksburg. "This type of design is good for, not only flat lawns, but for anyone with rocky or clay soil," which is harder to even grow grass on.
"It's like a raised island," said Walsh, who has owned the Greenspire with Bob Kesler for about 10 years. "The islands of plantings break up the lawn."
Walsh suggests using smaller, ornamental trees, such as a Dogwood, with the berms and then plant shrubs underneath.
The costs vary depending on the materials used. For example, using an exotic Japanese Maple on a berm could cost $200, Walsh said, adding that the magnitude of the project will increase the price. On the average, sprucing up a flat lawn costs anywhere from $300 and up.
Higher costs can also be incurred when you have walkways, terracing, stepping stones or patios constructed.
Terracing is a raised bank of earth that also works well to cut out steep banks, Shanks said. "And it creates a nice effect."
Terracing can be done with river stones, which you can find and lug home free yourself, or with railroad ties, which average about $15 to $25 each installed. Shanks said terracing can be relatively expensive depending on the height, length and steepness of the slope. The same goes for stone walls.
Walsh, who does not do concrete work, said costs for gravel and brick work, which is done for walkways, average about $5 to $10 per square-foot. The cost also depends on whether a walkway is curved or straight.
Block retaining walls also cost about $10 per foot. And there are many advantages to a retaining wall on a flat lawn. They divert runoff, turn a level area into a sloped area, works as a good check for erosion problems and creates more usable space.
Stepping stones, too, can add beauty and usefulness to a flat lawn and can be bordered with gravel or sand. Shanks suggests placing black plastic underneath the stones to keep crab grass and other weeds from growing beneath them.
Landscape designers charge roughly $40 to $50 an hour for consultations, but waive the fee if they do all the work and provide materials.
"We have to," Shanks explained. "Otherwise a person will go to K mart and do their own work with my plan."
And don't forget maintenance of the main characteristic of a flat lawn, or any lawn for that matter - the grass.
Frank Finn, a service manager with Lawnmark, which has offices in Blacksburg and Salem, said the greenness and lushness of your grass depends on the type of grass and its condition. He suggests weed removal and fertilization and said the average homeowner should continue with four to five treatments each year.
Other tips include keeping the mower blade sharpened, cutting the grass to about 3 or 4 inches and watering it every other day. Reseeding, pruning and aeration are also important.
Total Lawn Care owners Ann and Kevin Carter, who have been in the business in Blacksburg for about 11 years, said a turf-type tall fescue grass is popular in these parts.
"It's a seed that's tolerant to drought and stays fairly green even in the winter," said Ann Carter, a native of Chicago.
So having the flat-lawn syndrome isn't as bad as it seems. There are plenty of remedies. And remember, you can change it again if you don't like it.
by CNB