Beginner Gardening: Should I hire a professional?, 1 by DMileski

DMileski wrote:
I wanted to include some "after" pictures. I am sleeping well lately. The whole experience with the professional landscaper was a positive one. I have learned that I will not be using a professional landscaper in the future. The beds were trenched, the holes dug, Round-up sprayed all over the grass and weeds in the beds (!), the shrubs and trees planted, the cloth laid and then everything was covered over with pine straw.

I would have dug everything out, amended the soil and then planted everything. One of the beds had gravel in it, he didn't remove the gravel, just dug the holes and sprayed, planted and covered everything over--ack! I try not to think about this part because I'll be sleepless again until I remove that fabric and get all the rocks out from under it.

However, with the front beds done I can start planning and planting something pretty in the backyard.