Landscaping can be done by anyone, but the results will depend on the amount of time, planning and your ability to carry out your goals. If you feel more comfortable paying for professional landscaping services, by all means use that route. However, there is nothing like the feeling that comes after you’ve finished the last planting and step back to view your handy work.
So, here’s a crash course in Landscaping 101 that will have you designing your dream yard, just like the pros, in no time at all. Before you get started, we recommend working off a photo of your home. It really works to be able to see everything right in front of you and can be very beneficial in your planning.
There are many different types of homes, the first rule of thumb to remember is that your landscaping should add to your home, not detract from it. While you may love soaring trees, they’re only going to make a small house look smaller. Little tiny shrubs are cute, but when placed in front of a large home, they look a bit silly. Size does matter when it comes to landscaping and you need to make sure that your house is not over or under whelmed by your plantings.
Let’s start out with trees.
They have numerous benefits to your yard and can provide some terrific shade. Pick a few trees that you really like and mark off the spots in your yard where you would like them to go. Symmetry is a bonus with most landscaping plans, but if you like a free wheeling style, go for it! Remember, do not place trees where they will interfere with sewage lines, concrete or your home’s foundation.
Next, you can move onto plants.
Again, you want to add to your home, not take away. Plants can be used to creatively camouflage areas of your home that may need a little work. Look for foliage that is evergreen for this use so that you won’t have the bad areas showing all throughout the winter. Creeping plants are terrific when used along the front of your home and can help you cut down on struggling with a mower in complicated spots.
You can use plants to line walkways, around trees, or basically anywhere in your yard. Don’t forget that potted plants are also very useful landscaping tools and can really make that old front porch look a lot better. Pick plants that will be able to survive your winters, or find a way to bring them inside during the winter. Plants can also be placed around “ugly” areas to mask any pipes.
Lastly, lighting is an essential part of any landscape design.
Once your plants and trees are in place, you can formulate a lighting plan that will show off all of your hard work throughout the night. We recommend solar powered lights since they are more environmentally friendly and a lot easier to install. However, electrical lights have their purpose, but should only be installed by a professional electrician.
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