Landscaping Tips That Can Save You Frustration!

Posted on October 30, 2012 in landscaping

TIP! Take the time to talk to an experienced landscaper, or do your own research online before you begin your work. Even if you have chosen to do your project solo, it’s always good to talk to a pro before you start.

Does your yard look terrible? Do you look at your yard in despair and don’t know where to begin? Are neighbors eager to decline your backyard invitations? You do not have to accept living with an ugly yard. Use this article to your advantage. You no longer have to be embarrassed by your yard. The time for excuses is over.

TIP! Always find out exactly where your property lines are before beginning any landscaping project. It is of particular importance to familiarize yourself on your exact property lines if there isn’t a fence between your property and your neighbor’s.

Make use of native plants and shrubs when planning your landscaping project. When you are deciding what to plant, it is a good idea to choose shrubs, flowers and trees that do well in your area. Native plants will thrive in the poorest of soils, are less likely to require a lot of water, and will survive in even the most extreme weather conditions.

TIP! Create a landscaping plan that will enhance the beauty of your home year round. It is a good idea to choose plants that have different blooming times, along with evergreens, so that there is always something blooming or green in your yard, even in winter months.

Look around at places other than catalogs and stores. Community gardens and arboretums often offer plants to the general public. These plants are usually particularly suitable for your area. These sales are a great opportunity to find unusual plants that cannot be found at a retail shop. Many times people remove extra perennials from their garden, so your neighbors may have a few plants to give away.

TIP! Shaping your shrubbery and trees can go a long way when you’re landscaping. It is important to prune and shape all overgrown trees and shrubs so that your landscape always looks good.

Focus on accomplishing your landscaping projects in phases. By splitting a lawn into compartmentalized areas and working around it, you will find more affordable plants and easier layouts to implement at a lower price. Either go through sections of your lawn, or target plant selections by groupings.

TIP! Groundcover is a valuable addition when sprucing up your yard. Juniper and things like ivy will spread and creep around on the ground which keeps weeds away and covers grass you would otherwise have to mow.

Try different online retailers to increase your available selection and reduce costs. There are a wide variety of websites that offer quality landscaping products at reasonable prices. Make judicious use of customer reviews about products to ensure proper packaging is used when transported. Always compare prices on several websites before placing an order to ensure you get the best deal possible.

TIP! Use your landscaping space wisely. You can use your landscape design to help solve problems in your environment.

Landscaping encompasses a whole lot more than just planting trees. You should also add other natural materials such as wood, stone or even iron. Elements like pergolas, fountains and trellises are an easy way to add instant dimension to a space. These things come in various price ranges that can fit anyone’s budget.

TIP! Instead of sticking with the traditional straight edging, add some curved borders to your landscape. These round shapes are less formal and more pleasing to the eye.

Use different shapes, sizes and textures in the plants you use. Larger plants should act as anchors, and smaller plants should be arranged around them. Shorter plants can stand before taller plants to create a lush appearance. This technique can be visually striking if texture and color are used correctly.

TIP! Haste is not an option. Many people buy a home with a garden in place, but that doesn’t mean you have to tear the whole thing up and create your own vision.

Study landscaping design techniques and incorporate them. As an example, you might want to use anchor plants to add continuity to your landscape. You also need to consider plant texture so that your design looks nice and varied. Do your research online, at the library or bookstore so that you will learn the best ways to mix plant shapes, colors and textures in pleasing and simple ways.

TIP! When you mow your lawn, it is a great idea to leave some of the glass clippings where they fell. As they decompose, the grass clippings will provide nutrients to your yard, so the lawn will be in less need of fertilizer.

When you plan landscaping modifications, think about existing structures nearby before breaking ground. Make sure to know where cables, gutter, sprinklers and other systems are placed so you do not disturb them when you are doing your landscaping. You should always call your utility company before you dig, to avoid a costly or dangerous mistake.

TIP! Before you start any major landscaping project, try going over an overview or blueprint of the property. Make some sketches to help determine where things ought to go.

Choose the right fertilizer for your needs. Use only 1 fertilizer type for your entire yard since chemicals in different kinds can react. Look up reviews and try out different products yourself to see what fertilizers are right for you. You need to fertilize the whole yard prior to starting your landscaping project.

TIP! Get professional guidance before you begin any serious landscaping project on your own. It may cost you a little bit of money, but talking to a landscape architect can save you a lot of time, misery and money in the long run.

Consider the impact that your project will have on your home. Underground drainage pipes, in particular, can be adversely impacted by plants roots. Even safety can be impacted by plants. If your vision is blocked by shrubbery when you are backing out of your driveway, you have a problem. It takes only seconds online to research the average growth size, or how the roots behave for your new plants and trees.

TIP! Plant things that are native to your area. It’s easier to take care of native plants because they are adapted to the climate and soil type in your yard.

Use all kinds of flowers and trees with different colors to add unique beauty and variety in your landscaping. Shrubs are available in a variety of colors in addition to green, and some of them produce flowers in spring and summer. Think of trees that flower during the spring and summer.

TIP! Your landscape design is very much influenced by the kind of soil you are going to be using. Discover what plants thrive in your soil.

Now that you are ready to get started on your project, it is time to get started on a job that will have all your neighbors talking and wondering what is your secret. Of course you will have to convince them that you were the mastermind, since they will expect you to have hired a pro. You may have an uphill battle ahead!