Topsoil and beyond

摘要

One of the keys with planters has to do with the surface of the planted area. Some landscape installers mistakenly fill these structures almost to the top of the structure, which leads to problems with runoff over the edges of the planter in the course of watering or in the event of drenching rainfall. As bad, this can result in soil being washed out of the planter and into a wa-tershape - a true maintenance nightmare. In our plans, we call for recessing the soil surface a good three to four inches below the edge of a planter: This alleviates maintenance problems and also allows views of the edges of capstones or other presentable top treatments. Recessing the surface also allows for treating the soil surface itself in aesthetic terms. Mulch, for example, isn't a bad idea: It can look good and helps the soil below retain moisture. These days, however, we've been tending toward stronger, more visual approaches - using various pebbles or smooth rocks, for example, or even glass materials to add a strong, aesthetic element.