Maybe you have thought about hiring a landscape designer to improve your garden. There are several benefits to doing it yourself, however. You just need to know what you are doing, is all. Here are some great tricks and tips to help you create the landscape of your dreams.
Consider native plants when creating a landscaping plan. When landscaping your garden, always try to use trees, shrubs and flowers that are local to your area. Native plants have the best chance of surviving in the toughest of weather conditions.
Curves can be beautiful. A border with flowing curves can really turn out well. This will achieve a pleasing effect, look visually striking, and may even add value to your home. Though tougher to create than a conventional straight border, there will be a big payoff for your hard work.
While in the planning stages, be sure you allow room for plant growth. A tree would not be well placed near a foundation. Find out the full-grown size of any plant you choose to ensure that your yard looks its best when the plants have matured.
Talk to a licensed landscaper before you do any work to your own yard. Even if you will do most of the work yourself, it may help to spend a small amount on a consultation so that you can steer clear of spendy mistakes. This is especially true if you are new to landscaping.
Unlike what most people think, you do not need to hire a designer or landscaper to do you desired projects. Professional landscaping can cost a ton of money. You may want to consult with a landscaper, though, to get some guidance on how to best approach your project.
If you plan to get a professional gardener or landscaper, always get references or ask people who they recommend. While what you pay is an important factor, don’t let it be the only thing you consider. Ask for references, pictures and addresses of other clients that you can check out.
When you are in the planning phase of your project, a landscape designer can help. Always ask for a portfolio of projects this particular designer has worked on. Also ask about the costs and time frames associated with completion. Getting references from designers is important, too. These references should be of both the professional and personal varieties. When looking up a reference, look at whether the project was under budget and completed on schedule.
Cost Sharing
If you are looking at creating a nice landscape around your home, but are short on money, think about using neighborhood cost sharing. This involves pooling your money with your neighbors to purchase larger tools and supplies. Such cost sharing plans can benefit from a written schedule that details who gets to use which equipment when.
If you try to landscape while budgeting, remember that you can complete a project in stages. It’s perfectly reasonable to divide your project into smaller steps, or to have seasonal goals. This actually can make it more financially feasible. Just write down each step in your process, and then choose the ones that are most important to finish first.
Use basic design elements for your landscape. Anchor plants could help give you continuity in multiple areas. Various shrubs planted repeatedly can create some unity in your overall design. You can create a balance when you plant similar looking plants in a particular area. When you plant plants that have different leaf textures you can get a nice variation.
Consider existing structures before beginning any landscape project. Look at all facets of your home, from cable and wire entry points to gutters and air conditioning units, and build them into your landscaping plan. Call your city before digging to ensure underground lines won’t be damaged.
Now that you have read this article, you are ready to begin designing your yard. Great work! You just saved tons of cash and are going to have lots of fun. So get going and start your dream landscaping project today.