Tips for Do-It-Yourself Landscaping
Many homeowners are ready to take on the challenge of landscaping their own yard, but often unsure of where to start. This problem becomes even more confusing because there are so many variables in do-it-yourself landscaping, such as budget, skills, the climate of your region, your personal design tastes, how you'll be using your yard, etc. However, there are some tips for do-it-yourself landscaping that can help guide you along the way to a beautiful yard.
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- Design a yard with year-round interest-When planning out what to do in your yard; you need to make sure you're providing something of interest in each of the four seasons. Keep in mind that do-it-yourself landscaping for 4-season interest begins with a well researched plant-selection plan. It is important to understand that the goal is to have flowering trees and/or shrubs throughout spring and summer, fall foliage in autumn and good structure in winter.
- Use annuals to add to perennial color-While there is no denying that perennial flowers are wonderful for your planting beds, the problem is that they bloom for only so long. This can mean that you may have perennials blooming in your bed in May, then nothing until July. Incorporating annuals into a do-it-yourself landscaping plan will help to "plug the gaps," and best of all give you continuous color in the yard.
- Make sure that you put hardscape into your landscape design-You shouldn't restrict your do-it-yourself landscaping to plants, you'll want to include hardscape features, as well. Keep in mind that walls and fences make an essential design statement, as they frame your property. Decks, arbors and patios are other important hardscape features that provide transitions from indoors to outdoors.
- Don't overlook a water feature-Installing a water feature is easier then you think. Remember that good landscape designs are anchored by focal points, and one of the hottest trends is to use water features as focal points. Best of all, water features are not only visually appealing, but emit soothing sounds. They are a lot easier to install then you think by using pre-formed rigid plastic liners, durable pumps, flexible tubing and pre-made fountains. Once you've experimented with ponds, you may even decide to advance to the next level: simple waterfalls.
- Always use form and texture to your advantage-While there is no denying that flowers are great, you should not forget the characteristics of a plant's branching pattern and foliage. In landscape design, varying form and texture is one way to spice up a yard with diversity. For example-Evergreen conifers, while lacking flowers altogether, nonetheless have foliage that offers a myriad of different forms and textures. Simply by taking a stroll through the aisles of your local nursery, you'll discover many ways to enhance the beauty of your yard.
- Strive to make your life easier with a low-maintenance yard-Keep in mind that you can follow all the above do-it-yourself landscaping tips and still not be happy with your yard. Effective landscaping design goes far beyond giving your yard a pleasing appearance, you must also be sensible in planning for its maintenance. It is important to realize that even if your yard is worthy of gardening awards, you'll resent your yard if it causes you too much work. The bottom line is that unless you want to spend hours each weekend on upkeep, you should plan your design for low maintenance.
- Pick the right types of flowers-It is crucial that you carefully match the types of flowers you'll be growing, with the space where they'll be growing. This is a fundamental policy to follow in do-it-yourself landscaping. Light and soil requirements should always be carefully considered, before deciding which types of flowers to buy for your yard.
