Designing A Landscape For The Area In Which You Live

Posted on August 16, 2012 in landscaping

TIP! Those looking to undergo a large landscaping project should consider using plants with differing textures. Adding unique plants throughout the yard helps give contrast and appeal.

One great way to improve the look as well as the resale value of your home is with an improved landscape. Whether you enjoy doing things on your own or you prefer to hire someone to do the work for you, you will find some excellent tips in this article to get you started.

TIP! Have an idea where your hardiness zone is, and buy plants accordingly. In 2012, the USDA hardiness zone map has been updated.

When it comes to landscape design, curved borders are king. Consider using a curved flowing border in your landscape. It looks good to the naked eye, is beautiful, and can add value to your property. Curved borders may take more planning, but the results are worth the effort.

TIP! Cover the most area you possibly can in one seeding session. The time you need to plant is about the same regardless if you have a somewhat larger space.

You should be aware of the kind of soil you’re working with when designing your landscape. Different plants prefer different types of soil. Adding planting beds with mulch and wood chips can help you supplement areas with poor soil conditions, or you can consider replacing your soil entirely.

TIP! When landscaping, use local plants. Native plants by their very nature will grow well in your area with a minimum of upkeep.

It’s hard to landscape your entire property at once. It is great to separate the project into different phases, and that will be much better for your budget. If you run into a problem or realize you need to make changes, it will be a lot easier for you to tweak your plans.

TIP! You can save money by timing your purchases. Lumber is usually less expensive in the winter months.

Incorporate water in your plan. For example, it is simple to put in a small pool of fountain. If it’s affordable to your wallet, you could hire a professional to install a waterfall or small pond for a fee. Trickling, rushing, or dribbling water provides a great focal point in your design.

TIP! Pick out products that are made well and avoid cheap ones. Lower quality offerings may be more plentiful but good quality products are worth the investment of time and money.

Think about your location prior to beginning a landscaping project. In order for your plants to thrive, they need to be planted where they will get what they need while providing the proper enhancements to your landscaping. Don’t forget key aspects like shade, wind, light, and exposure.

TIP! Don’t just look into catalogs and stores alone when looking for plants. Many botanical gardens or arboretums have regular sales or offerings of native plants that thrive in your area.

Before you kick off a major landscaping effort, investing in a professional soil test is a good idea. Having the soil tested can help you to determine what needs to be added or eliminated, so that you can take care of these things before you begin to plant. This will improve the quality of the plants in your yard or garden.

TIP! A good tip for landscaping is to shape and prune your shrubs and trees. Always prune your shrubbery in order to maintain an orderly appearance.

For a professional appearance, be sure to make extensive use of edging throughout your yard. Edging any spaces between bare grass and your beds is an easy way to help your lawn look its best.

Native Plants

TIP! When doing landscaping to your yard, use curved borders for beds and edges. Regular straight borders are not as attractive as round ones.

When landscaping, use native plants if you can. Your garden should contain greenery that is indigenous to the area for best results. Native plants are designed to withstand, and even thrive, in the soil and weather conditions of the region.

TIP! If you’re planning to use larger plants in your yard, remember that they’ll cast a shadow. This shadow can be used to shield your patio and house from the sun during hot summer months.

Don’t underestimate the importance of quality plants and products. Inexpensive materials will not always have the quality you are after. If you are a novice landscaper, it would be to your benefit to go to a specialty store; even though it may be more costly, you can get plenty of advice, and your supplies will be guaranteed.

TIP! Ask any landscaper you’re considering for your project for a long list of references. Price should always be a consideration, however, seeing the work your potential landscaper has done, either in picture or in person, is the best way to really see if they are the right person for your job.

Visiting with the neighbors is certainly great, but one goal you might have when landscaping is increasing the amount of privacy you enjoy. You may want to use a fence or a particular tree or shrub to create your personal space. Many options are available when it comes to including privacy in landscaping for those that wish to do so.

TIP! When you landscape, make sure you know the differences between annuals and perennials, you also want to know what kind of shrubs, plant, or flowers work best in different areas. Be conscious of how the seasons will affect your landscaping.

When it’s time to pick out your materials, don’t use cost as the sole determining factor in your choices. For instance, items with a solid return policy are worth a little extra money. Consider all the pros and cons before you purchase any product. Sometimes a few extra dollars can save you money in the long run.

TIP! Create designs that emphasize function and joy. As an example, make sure that your family and guests will always have a space to park their cars and walk through your yard.

With careful planning, even the smallest of yards can be beautiful. Create concentrated, high-impact areas of interest within the space you have available. A birdbath or garden bench with flowers surrounding them is very appealing. If you choose your plants carefully, you can ensure that your flowers bloom in sequence – creating color nearly year-round.

TIP! Prior to starting a landscaping project, think about making a sketch so you can see what it will look like. This drawing can help you figure out what the final result will look like and start listing what kind of materials you need.

The appearance of any home can be transformed by the judicious planting of flowers and trees, landscaping with rocks and maintaining the lawn. If done correctly, everyone in your neighborhood will be talking about your creation. Take what you have learned in this article and get started on your new landscape this weekend.