Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

1. What does my landscaper have appropriate insurance, licenses and certifications? Yes, Dobbelare Landscaping is a fully-insured, licensed and certified landscaping company with years of experience providing exceptional service to both residential and commercial properties. Rated A+ by Better Business Bureau. 2. How much will it cost to landscape my property? It’s difficult to give an exact answer for this before meeting with you, because the price varies based on your requirements that you set, your property size and the range of services you select. HomeAdvisor.com released data showing that, in recent years, homeowners spent around $1000 – $3000 on landscaping installation services for the year. Depending on your situation you may end up paying more or less— so schedule a free landscaping consultation with us today to figure out the best pricing and schedule for you. 3, How often will you maintain my property? This is another one of those factors that depends on your property and the range of services you require, but regardless we provide maintenance as often as necessary for the service in question. Our committed and capable landscaping team will work with you to arrange a weekly schedule that can be adjusted at your convenience. 4. What does “hardscape” and “softscape” designs mean? Hardscape refers to the fixed, long-lasting structures installed on your property, and this generally includes ornamental stone structures, walkways and driveways, patios, and decks. Softscape design includes the more transient design elements, including floral designs, trees, hedges and other plant life. 5. What type of landscape designs are the most popular this year? Interactive and functional outdoor spaces are cropping up in more and more yards lately. People want more structures where people can gather and spend time together. Thankfully, our team comes with years of experience designing and installing hardscape structures, so Dobbelare Landscaping is the perfect place to help you keep up with the biggest trends in landscaping design. 6. Will landscaping increase the resale value of my home? While a number of factors will influence the decision of potential buyers, they will certainly look to your landscaping for an indication of how well you have taken care of the property, and any attractive additions will add appeal that can set your home apart and above other homes. When selling your home, landscaping is often one of the first details prospective buyers notice — and attractive and well- maintained lawns and plant life adds curb appeal and a welcoming aesthetic. With a well-landscaped property, you can even see up to 10% home value added, so take your landscape project seriously. 7. How much influence will I have on the design? You have as much freedom over the design as you’d prefer. Our expert landscaping team will guide you based on years of practical experience, but we will always work to accommodate any needs and desires you have for your property. 8. When Is the Best Time To Reinvent Landscaping? Many homeowners assume springtime is the ideal season for landscaping installations, but for plantings like trees, shrubs and grass, fall is the best time for projects because of the warm days and cool evenings and the increased precipitation that assists new plant establishment. With fall plantings, you’ll have six to eight months to get roots established before warmer months, weeds are less frequent and the soil temperature is still warm. However, for perennial and annual flowers, springtime is the best time for planting. 9. How do I use mulch? • Recommend top dressing beds and lawns, ½” – 1″ layer • Suppresses weeds, improve soil texture and hold moisture. • •Quarterly fertilizing program, double check directions Bi-annual mulch application 10. Why should I consider changing landscape companies? If your current landscape company is meeting your every need and you are thoroughly satisfied, then perhaps you shouldn’t change. If, however, you are interested in talking with us about how we can add value to your property and improve it over time, give us a call. 11. How do I keep disease away from my plants? With a few DIY techniques • Keep your garden clean. Pick up plant debris, remove dying stems or branches, weed the area regularly, and toss the debris in the garbage. • Fertilize just enough to keep your plants happy – too much fertilizer promotes weak growth which is susceptible to disease. • Wait to plant until the soil is warmed up. Planting to early will put extra stress on your plants and make them more susceptible to disease in the soil. • Use mulch to keep weeds at bay and harmful fungi in th soil away. • Inspect and remove infected stems and leaves. As soon as you notice signs of disease, carefully remove the leaf o stems and throw it away as soon as possible. y removing disease early on, you can help your plants to continue to grow healthily. 12. How do I permanently get rid of weeds? This is a tough one. The conditions that are good for plant growth are naturally good for weed growth. But, there are steps you can take to prevent weed growth early on, and remove weeds if they do appear. First of all, use a landscaping fabric in your flower beds and garden to cover the soil where you don’t want weeds to grow. Then use a weed preventer, such as Preen, to further discourage weed growth. If weeds do appear, pull the entire weed, including the root, early on to prevent it from coming back. For cracks in concrete and pavers, use a commercial herbicide to kill weeds that appear. For a more organic method, try using vinegar in a spray bottle. Be warned, herbicides, including vinegar, will kill all plants they touch, not only weeds. 13. How do I water my new trees, shrubs and flowers? The basics of watering are simple. Water immediately after planting, let the water soak into the soil, and then water again. During the first week, it’s best to continue frequent watering — either daily or every other day. Following the first week, you’ll only need to water two to three times per week depending on the weather conditions in your area. 14. Does adding more plants to my landscape help the environment? Absolutely! Every living plant does its job to filter carbon dioxide out of the environment — one tree alone can remove 26 pounds of CO2 annually, equaling about 11,000 miles of vehicle emissions. Plants also help keep debris and pollution out of our water supply. On top of that, trees that cast shade on your home will keep it cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, giving your air conditioner and heating units a break. If you’re thinking about planting additional trees, shrubs, or flowers, they will all benefit our environment in their own unique way, so go for it! CALL TODAY In St. Louis area call 636-515-6136 In Chicago area call 815-342-7322