Re-doing an existing landscape requires correcting mistakes that the home’s previous owners made. Without the help of a landscape design professional, this can be a daunting challenge. Here are some thoughts on how to evaluate what can stay in the landscape and what needs to be removed.

PLANTS IN THE LANDSCAPE THAT YOU CAN KEEP:

1. Try to keep drought tolerant plants if there are any such as yucca, and some cactus may be OK.

2. Keep some native vegetation if it exists, such as Sages, Apache Plume, grasses & possibly Chamisa.

THINGS THAT NEED TO BE REMOVED:

1. Trees that are surface rooted such as some Cottonwoods & Willows.

2. High water use plants.

3. Plants that constantly need to be pruned or sheared in order to keep them from blocking windows or pathways.

4. PLASTIC!! This was used not too long ago under gravel as a weed barrier, but allows no water or air penetration. This causes multiple plant problems – shallow root systems, lack of available nutrients, and diseases. Plants have to breathe! Replace all plastic with a fabric weed barrier which allows water & air to become available but still blocks weeds.

5. Remove rotting, insect infested railroad ties and replace with a locking block system or cinder blocks. These are available in really nice colors & textures.

6. Red or black volcanic rock and white stone. These really date your landscape. There are some nice color choices and sizes available in new landscaping stone.

7. You might consider removing some of your grass. This will probably result in new irrigation design, but the old system probably needs some updating as well as the landscape.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO CONSIDER IN YOUR NEW LANDSCAPE:

1. The micro-climates in and around your house. Are you landscaping a hot, treeless west exposure, or a cool, shady north exposure?

2. Hire a professional landscape designer. This can make a difference between a hum-drum landscape and a really awesome landscape. Some designers charge a fee, but there are many that do not.

3. Be open to new ideas. There are some beautiful, colorful solutions available in plant material that can replace those old, tired evergreens.

4. Consider the fact that Rio Rancho & the Albuquerque area has 4 distinct seasons. Use plants that give you seasonal color & interest.

5. Many newcomers are from other parts of the country. My best advice to them is to chose plants that are adapted to this area & do not try to re-create the landscape you had where you were born or lived previously.

6. Keep things as simple as possible. Do not over-design the new landscape. It should be harmonious with the architecture of the home and the land.

7. A designer can insure that you use the correct plants for the right spaces and knows the mature height & size of the new plants, thereby eliminating the need to prune constantly.

8. Be realistic about how much time you have to maintain a landscape. A designer can help you avoid maintenance nightmares.

9. DO install a drip system if you do not have one in place. They are very efficient and cost effective. They deliver water directly to the plants. Considering the winds we have, overhead irrigation is NOT the way to water anything but grass. Install an automatic timer so that your new investment is maintained properly.

With some effort & patience, you can overcome the landscaping mistakes that you "inherited". You can transform a troubled landscape into a truly enjoyable outdoor living space. ◊