When you live in Flagstaff (at nearly 7000 feet), you have to face many challenges that you didn’t have to face elsewhere. Basically, you will come across 100 inches of annual snowfall, intense monsoon thunderstorms, 40-degree temperature swings, and a growing season that barely lasts three months. Therefore, you need to avoid common problems to have low maintenance landscaping at your property in Flagstaff.
After years of handling many landscaping projects in Flagstaff, AZ, we’ve seen the same mistakes repeatedly among clients. These errors waste water and money and damage property. So keep reading this guide, and you will know which mistakes to avoid when creating landscapes with minimized upkeep.
List of Common Mistakes for Landscaping in Flagstaff, AZ
Here, we have discussed some common mistakes that, if homeowners avoid, will result in a low maintenance landscaping property in Flagstaff.
Fighting Against Flagstaff’s Climate
The biggest mistake homeowners make is that they try to recreate landscapes from other climates. Flagstaff’s high desert mountain climate means that warmth disperses quickly after sunset, people experience prolonged droughts, and traditional lawns require intensive watering.
The City of Flagstaff offers rebates up to $1 per square foot through its Low Water Landscape Program for converting lawns to low-water designs. Professional landscaping companies in Flagstaff, AZ, suggest using native plants, i.e., ponderosa pines, Apache plume, and mountain mahogany, that grow with minimal intervention.
Planting Too Close to Hardscaping
That small nursery shrub that you may buy won’t stay small forever. Within a few years, shrubs planted too close to sidewalks or driveways can block paths, crack concrete, or need regular pruning.
Mountain landscaping in Flagstaff, AZ, requires mature plants, so you need a foolproof plan from the start. Research the mature height and spread of each plant and provide adequate space, generally at least 2 feet beyond the expected spread. If you’re working with retaining wall contractors in Flagstaff to create terraced beds, you can easily ensure that the planting of shrubs, flowering saplings, or other trees won’t interfere with your property structures as they grow.
Creating Narrow Grass Strips
If you have narrow grass strips at your home, it may look fine at first, but they’re hard to mow, dry out quickly, and gather debris. Replace them with ground covers, decorative rock, planting beds, or hardscaping like flagstone or pavers for a low maintenance solution and to save water.
Installing Wrong Irrigation Systems
Flagstaff’s extreme temperature swings can bring serious challenges for irrigation systems. If you have not installed a properly winterized system, these can freeze and burst, causing expensive spring repairs. Moreover, the bigger mistake is installing the wrong irrigation type for your plant selections.
Low maintenance landscaping in Flagstaff should use well-planned drip irrigation for trees and shrubs, with properly sized emitters and flow rates.
Seasonal care is also important. That’s why you should blow out lines before winter and check for leaks and coverage in spring to avoid wasted water and costly repairs.
Misusing Landscape Fabric and Rock
Landscape fabric doesn’t stop weeds as expected. Wind-blown soil builds up on top, letting weeds grow through the fabric and making them harder to remove. In Flagstaff’s windy climate, rock mulch works better than organic mulch, but it shouldn’t be used everywhere.
Use organic mulch around trees and areas you may plant later to improve the soil. If you use rock, skip the landscape fabric in most cases and install a 3–4 inch layer with good edging for weed control. The main exception is behind retaining walls, where fabric doesn’t let soil wash out.
Not Having Proper Drainage Planning
The monsoon season brings heavy rain to Flagstaff quickly. So, if you have poor drainage, it can lead to erosion, foundation damage, and plant loss, which will cost you expensive repairs and ongoing maintenance headaches.
Professional landscaping companies in Flagstaff, AZ, always consider drainage patterns before installing beds or hardscaping.
Choosing Wrong Ground Covers
Ground covers can be a great choice, as they are easy to care for. But you have to pick the right plant and know about its growing history before planting it. For example, creeping thyme is an excellent choice for Flagstaff’s climate and doesn’t require much supervision once planted. Some ground covers sold as “low maintenance” don’t deliver the expected results in cold winters or require frequent watering, which contradicts their benefits. Talk to mountain landscaping specialists in Flagstaff, AZ, for accurate advice.
Ignoring Mature Plant Sizes
Fast-growing plants need consistent pruning, which doesn’t satisfy your low maintenance goals. At the same time, extremely slow-growing plants might not fill spaces for years, tempting you to overplant and create future crowding.
Research each plant’s mature dimensions and growth rate, and choose a mixture that fills in reasonably fast while leaving room to grow for the slow-growing plants.
Last Words
Our low maintenance landscaping company in Flagstaff has expertise in plant selection and care, hardscaping, and irrigation. Generally, we provide a complete solution suitable for Flagstaff’s conditions. Contact M3 Scape Creations today to discuss your vision and transform your property into a beautiful, easy-care outdoor space.
