Whether your goal is to complete the landscape project independently or enlist the help of a gardening pro, the information in this article will get you off to a great start.
When planning a landscaping project, concentrate on native plants. Native plants that grow in your area include flowers, trees and shrubs. Plants that are native to the area will do well even in poor soil, will most likely require less water and can thrive in extreme weather conditions.
Make the most of your landscape by growing a garden that incorporates all seasons. Choose an array of plants that burst with blooms at different times of the year, which are appropriate depending on the soil and region. You can use trees with cool foliage or evergreens as a way to make your garden looking nice all year.
Are you considering selling your home anytime soon? When you decide to landscape your home the rewards are very beneficial if you plan on selling your home in the near future, you can get around 100 to 200 percent in returns by doing so. Focus on the front lawn to create added curb appeal, or create a defined outdoor living area in your backyard.
Purchase at different times of the year to save money. Wait until the off-season to purchase such things as shrubs, trees or lumber, or trees if possible. When new plants are introduced to the market, wait several years before purchasing them so that the price is not so high.
It is not necessary – or even wise – to try to landscape your entire property all at the same time. Divide your landscaping plans into different phases, taking into account the different seasons and levels of difficulty. By doing your landscape in phases you will also be able to make any necessary changes along the way.
This will just ends up costing you large amounts of money. You may want to ask them for advice, and pay them for the service, to get some guidance on how to best approach your project.
Landscaping involves much more than simply planting a lawn and some trees. To add texture and substance, look for opportunities to include wood, cement or iron structures. Pergolas, birdbaths, archways and decks add beauty and make a yard look more interesting. All of these materials and features are available at any price point you need to match.
Leave some stary grass clippings where they fall after you mow it.
Plant with an eye towards keeping your landscape beautiful all year round. You need to have plants that bloom in the spring, those which continue to bloom in the summer, those which change color in the fall, and even some evergreens for the wintertime. They key for a year-round yard is doing the proper research.
Try to create a landscape that looks beautiful year round. This requires you to include specimens that thrive at different times of the winter. The key to having great looking land all year around is to research plants.
It can be very hard to plant flowers in your yard underneath a large tree that has a lot of shade. Find another form of ground cover. This adds beauty to your landscaping with the added benefit that it is quite easy to maintain. Hosta and sweet wooddruff are both popular options for ground cover.
Ground Cover
When hiring a professional of any kind, even landscaping, make sure you ask for professional references. Price is a very important consideration; however, you must also look of the work of the landscaper you are considering to make a final decision. Ask for photos, or even better, addresses of the jobs the landscaper has completed.
Planting flowers in the shade tree won’t be successful. Instead of planting flowers there you can add ground cover for the ground. Ground cover is easy to maintain as well as being aesthetically pleasing.Some excellent options for ground cover under trees include hosta and sweet woodruff.
If you are doing your own landscaping, remember to add plenty of mulch to your garden beds. Mulch allows your plants to retain moisture which can be particularly helpful if you live in an area where heat is a major concern. Mulch also enriches the soil as it breaks down, which creates nutrient dense soil for your plants. So, keep your plants fed and and your soil moist by using mulch.
Try using curved edges when landscaping the yard. These rounded borders are more pleasing to the eye. When your house is seen from the street, the curved lines of the borders in your landscaping will help to soften the straight lines of the hardscape elements, like your house and driveway.
Incorporate water in your plan. For instance, you could easily add a small pool fountain or install pumps. You can also find professionals that can install into your yard a small waterfall or pond, if that is in your budget. Trickling, rushing, or dribbling water provides a great focal point in your design.
If you choose to landscape your property by yourself, make sure to stop and estimate costs first. Make a thorough list of every item you will be necessary for the project. Prices can vary widely from region to region. Look for ways to find quality materials at low cost.
Prior to starting your landscaping, it is a good idea to consult with a professional. It might cost more money, but a landscape architect will potentially save you money, misery and time along the way as opposed to doing it yourself. Just an hour long consultation should be enough to get some pointers, and get you started on the right track.
Price is very important, but if you ask to see some pictures or addresses of work a landscaper has done, be sure to take a look at the past work that he or she has done.
A water garden is a popular special feature to add. Perhaps you should purchase your supplies at an outlet that specializes in water gardens. The expertise available thanks to the staff at these types of stores can really guide you through even the toughest of projects.
Mulch is a smart addition if you are incorporating flower beds.Mulch is a protective layer that they can provide nutrients. Mulch will allow your plants to make use of the right amount of water.
Create yards that can maintain themselves and prevent weeds from growing. Weeds thrive in bare spaces where they don’t have to compete with other plants. Plant plenty of healthy groundcover. Weeds that can’t reach the surface for sunlight, or aren’t able to get nutrients and water from the soil thanks to the greedy plants around them, won’t grow at all. It is best to water and fertilize frequently.
Incorporate a water when designing your plan. Fountains and small pools can be easy to install and water. If budget is not a concern, a number of professionals can install a waterfall or a small pond quite reasonably. Adding water to your design will provide a focus point.
Add plants of all shapes and sizes to your lawn for maximum eye appeal. You can find shrubs in a variety of colors. Also think about trees which look their best at certain times of the year.
Weeping cherry trees are among the most popular of this type available.
Avoid having your yard appear unkempt by keeping your plants trimmed. Many plants such as holly, azaleas and forsythia can become overgrown and should be trimmed every year. When you trim these plants, cut them back as far as you can. They will grow back quickly enough, adding beauty and volume to your yard.
Don’t forget your climate when picking shrubs and plants. You may have a passion for a particular plant, if it needs elements such as a frost to grow, that plant will never grow. You should also consider sunlight, sunlight, and rain amounts prior to choosing your plants.
Think about appearance as well as function when designing your project. For example, it is important to leave enough room for walkways and other things. Avoid placing plants close to the house so that insects are less likely to invade your home in the summer.
A water garden is a popular special feature can really improve the look of your yard. You may want to spend more at specialty stores to get supplies for water gardens. The advice you will be able to glean from the sales help can prove invaluable when designing your water garden.
While in the planning stages, be sure you allow room for plant growth. A little tree may be cute while it’s young, but once it’s a few years old it’ll be quite a bit bigger. Find out what the fully-grown dimensions are of the plants, trees and shrubs you want to use and plan accordingly.
Soil type is a big factor in your landscaping efforts. Some plants might not grow well in a certain kinds of soil. If you see that the soil you have is limiting your design, you can replace it, or use a bed with mulch and wood chips.
Select a quality fertilizer for the yard. Try to select a single fertilizer which will work for everything you’ve planted to ensure that you don’t have two competing products causing possible damage where they meet. Test different products and read reviews to find out which fertilizers are the most efficient. Once you’ve settled on a fertilizer, use it on your entire yard before you plant anything.
If you intend to sell your house anytime soon, then it’s important to improve the landscaping so that the home appeals to potential buyers.
While it is nice to communicate with your neighbors, it is also nice to create a private space in your yard to relax in. You may put up a fence, or plant a certain tree or shrub. There are many options available in landscaping to accomplish a visual barrier, if you need to.
Create a self maintaining yard that can maintain itself so that weeds won’t grow. Weeds take over any areas where there is room for them to flourish.
As you execute your landscaping plans, use some form of edging to ensure your results look tidy and professional. It is a wise idea to edge where the mulch meets the grass, and it can be part of your landscaping maintenance.
Take the time to trim your shrubs and bushes to give your yard looks well groomed. Many plants grow excessively and need regular maintenance.Don’t hesitate to cut down almost all of these plants, because they will quickly and fully grow back.
Don’t buy your supplies all at once. Not many people have the money to purchase everything at once. By buying items in phases, you can divide your project out and buy items as they’re needed. That way, you will not pay finance charges or interest, and you will have the ability to make decisions as you go and alter your course, when necessary.
Consider pooling your resources with like-minded neighbors if you are wanting to improve your landscaping but are limited financially. You then can create a schedule as to who uses what equipment at a specific time.
When planting seeds, cover as much ground as possible. Doing so, will save you a lot of time and effort in the long run.
Flower Beds
Use plants to give yourself a bit of privacy in a natural way. When you utilize taller plants in your landscaping, they can act as natural privacy shields to keep unwanted eyes from your home. Not only do they help maintain your privacy, but they can also block any unsightly messes in your neighbor’s yard as well.
Mix things up the look of the flower beds in your garden by using ornamental grasses to highlight different areas. Adorning grasses are great for breaking up flowered border or to add texture to flower beds. Often they are put down as a border unto themselves. With such a wide selection, you can easily find grasses that will suit your design.
When you think about how to renovate your home, look at a blueprint or sketch first. Plot your garden on paper, and use proper measurements to make sure the plants you will want to use are the right fit for your yard.
The littlest bit of lawn care can go a long way to improving your home. You will be envied by your neighbors by sprucing up your landscaping. Make the weekend your time to get started putting these ideas into action.
When choosing your plants look beyond the catalogs and big box stores. Community gardens and arboretums often offer plants to the general public. These plants are usually particularly suitable for your area. Many times the plants that are offered in a botanical garden are not offered at any other location. Also, you may be able to get plants from neighbors that want to get rid of them like roses or perennials.
