What goes wrong with garden beds & shrubs if you wait
Moisture trapped against siding
Shrubs and vines touching the house keep the siding from drying out after rain. That leads to mildew, peeling paint and rot along the bottom of the walls.
Water running toward the foundation
Beds and lawns that slope toward the house direct runoff to the foundation, which can cause damp crawlspaces and basement leaks.
Pests getting inside
Branches touching the roof or walls are a highway for carpenter ants, rodents and other pests looking for a way in.
Hidden rot at the base of walls
Mulch and soil piled up over the bottom of the siding keep it constantly wet and hide damage until it is advanced.
Common jobs we take on
- Shrub and hedge trimming
- Garden bed clean-up and edging
- Re-grading soil away from the foundation
- Fresh mulch and bark
How Lower Mainland weather affects garden beds & shrubs
In the Lower Mainland, plants grow fast and the ground stays wet for much of the year. That combination means shrubs can outgrow their spot in a couple of seasons, and soil near the house can stay saturated from October to April.
Many Tri-Cities homes also have heavy clay soil that drains slowly. When garden beds slope the wrong way, rainwater collects against the foundation instead of soaking in away from the house. Getting the grading right is a simple fix that pays off every rainy season.
Warning signs to watch for
- Shrubs or vines touching the siding, windows or roof
- Mulch or soil piled above the bottom of the siding
- Puddles near the foundation after rain
- Mildew or algae on the lower part of the walls
- Ant trails or pest activity near plants by the house
Maintenance tips
- Keep shrubs trimmed back at least 30 cm from walls and windows
- Keep soil and mulch below the bottom of the siding
- Make sure beds slope away from the house
- Clear dead leaves and debris from beds in the fall
- Trim branches that hang over or touch the roof
How G2 Home Services handles garden beds & shrubs
We trim back shrubs from the house, re-grade garden beds so they slope away from the foundation, pull soil and mulch down below the siding, edge beds, and clear and haul away the green waste. It is a quick visit that makes your home look tidier and keeps moisture where it belongs.
Every job is backed by our written promise: a locked-in price before we start, we redo anything you are not happy with, and a one-year workmanship guarantee.
Garden Bed & Shrub Maintenance near you
We are based in Coquitlam and take on these jobs across the Tri-Cities, Burnaby, New Westminster, Vancouver, Richmond and the North Shore. Got other small jobs too? Add them to the list and we will do them in the same visit. See small jobs & odd jobs.
Garden Bed & Shrub Maintenance: frequently asked questions
How far should shrubs be from my house?
Aim for at least 30 cm of space between plants and your siding so air can flow and the wall can dry.
Do you take away the yard waste?
Yes. We bag and haul away all clippings and debris, and drop green waste at the proper facility.
Can you fix a garden bed that slopes toward the house?
Yes. We re-grade the soil so water flows away from the foundation and adjust mulch and edging to suit.
