How To Conserve Water When You Are Landscaping

Posted on September 21, 2012 in landscaping

TIP! Water is a great idea for landscaping designs. As an example, you may consider using water features such as pumps, small pools or even fountains.

If you wish to sell a home or give it a nicer look, landscaping can help with that. Whether you enjoy doing things yourself, or would rather employ professional help, the tips in this article can help you progress towards your landscaping goals.

TIP! Sketching out what you would like your final landscaping job to look like is beneficial. A drawing will let you visualize the space and understand which materials are required to complete the job.

When it comes to landscape design, curved borders are king. When landscaping, think about creating a border with a sweeping curve. Curves are more visually appealing and interesting and, moreover, curved borders give homes higher value than straight borders. While more time-consuming, the look is worth every second.

TIP! Don’t forget about autumn as you design the landscaping for your yard. Most people only concern themselves with spring and summer colors for their yards, but fall often provides a beautiful time of the year for your landscape if you plan it right.

When you’re going to buy materials, the cheapest price doesn’t always mean you’re saving in the long run. Sometimes it’s worth paying a bit more at a store that offers good customer service and has a great return policy. Weight your options out before purchasing anything. Spending a little now could save you lots down the road.

TIP! Shop online to save money and get a larger selection. Plenty of websites offer high quality products, usually at reasonable prices.

As you landscape your yard, have curved borders surrounding your plants. Such designs offer greater visual interest than rigid, straight borders might. Completely plan out your landscape borders before you begin planting to make sure everything flows well.

TIP! Make sure your design is both functional and attractive. For example, pay attention to how much space you are allocating between the patio and the driveway; you do not want it to be too narrow.

Choose plants with unique textures in foliage if you are looking to enhance your landscaping project. Sprinkling a few of these plants into your landscape can give you a dramatic and beautiful contrast. Disperse them evenly for maximum effect.

TIP! If privacy is your reason for planting trees, it is a good idea to plant a fast-growing one. They are aptly named, as they grow a lot more quickly than your average tree.

Remember that your landscape is more than just plants. When making plans for landscaping, it is not hard to get carried away with the plants that are sure to grow in your area. There are a number of other things that improve the look of a home’s landscaping. Large, scattered rocks, artfully arranged pottery or an arbor can add character to your landscape, particularly during the winter when most plants are dormant.

TIP! Take into consideration your existing structures when planning and implementing your landscaping project. Find out where the cables, pipes and other essential structures for running your home are in your yard.

Before beginning your project, make sure to have a list of every item you need. It is very frustrating to begin your project and then realize that you forgot something. Putting your work on hold to fetch a forgotten item is never fun.

TIP! Regular watering, of course, is just one of the many maintenance expenditures that must be invested into landscaping. You need to provide plants and flowers with proper nutrients and soil, and there may be other factors to consider as well.

Measure and get a rough estimate of the square footage of your yard before you buy plants and materials at a landscaping center. This will allow you to more easily obtain the items you need for the project. Making the effort up front to note these details can save you money and time in the long run.

As you mow your lawn, leave behind some of the clippings. The decomposing grass clippings will fertilize your lawn, eliminating the need for chemical fertilizers.

TIP! Simple elements of design can add a great deal of harmony to your landscape planning. Diverse areas of your landscape can have some continuity with a few anchor plants.

The soil in your backyard should affect what plants you use and where you plant them. Some kinds of soil and some plant species are poor matches for each other. If you do not have good soil, you may want to use purchased soil to create beds for the greenery.

Quality Products

TIP! Trying to work on the entire landscape at once is difficult and overwhelming. You are better off breaking up large projects into smaller phases.

Always go for quality over cheap products. In most home-improvement stores, you will usually find reduced and low-quality products. Go to a nursery or other specialty store to find quality products and people who know what they are talking about. Though you may end up spending more money, remember that you are paying for the quality of the goods and service that you are receiving.

TIP! Consider native plants when creating a landscaping plan. Using local plants and trees can save you a lot of headaches.

Landscape your yard in stages, focusing on one region of the yard at a time. To save both time and money, split your landscape design into several areas and work from there. Not only will you it be more affordable to complete each project, but you will also find it more enjoyable. You may want to begin by working on one portion of your yard, or focus solely on a certain type of plant.

TIP! Keep in mind the possible impact that some landscaping could have on certain areas of your property. Consider the effects that certain plantings might have in areas where underground pipes and cable lines may be co-located.

You can purchase plants through mail order if you want to save money. If you’re looking for more unique plants, you can often find a better price online. Since the plants come directly to you, it’s also more convenient. Do not forget to factor in the cost of shipping when determining whether your purchase is a good buy.

TIP! Establishing a neighborhood cost sharing system can help you do some intensive landscaping without paying the full cost of the equipment required. Your neighbors can share tools and even delivery costs for bulk materials so that costs stay low.

If you are doing a major landscaping project, think about talking with a landscape architect who can give you a fresh perspective on your idea and design. Making this small investment will save you time and money throughout your project. Even though the hourly cost of a consultation can be about $75, the investment can save you time and money.

TIP! Large shade trees look great, but it may be difficult to plant flowers that bloom underneath its shaded area. Instead of placing flowers there you should consider a cover for the ground.

Your home will look much better by doing something as simple as sprucing up your lawn, adding rocks to your landscaping, or putting in flowers or trees. If done correctly, everyone in your neighborhood will be talking about your creation. Use the tips you’ve read here and get started this weekend.