If you’re a homeowner, you probably want to improve your landscaping. But if you’re not sure how to proceed, the whole idea can feel completely overwhelming. When you’re feeling lost with your landscaping, you’ll simply need to turn to the 10 commandments below. By following these, you’ll ensure your yard will be the best on the block in no time.
- Pick the Right Plants: When learning how to landscape, your plant selection matters. Be sure to choose varieties that are well-suited to your climate and the general planting location. In general, it’s best to stick with native species as much as possible. But as long as you choose your grasses, bushes, trees, and flowers wisely, you’ll have a much better chance of making your garden or front yard look spectacular throughout the seasons.
- Make a Maintenance Commitment: You’ll need to take an honest assessment of how much work you’re willing to put in here. If you know that you might not be up for devoting a large portion of time to lawn and yard maintenance, you may want to choose perennials (which come back year after year) or varieties that don’t require a lot of pruning or weeding. Alternatively, you can enlist an experienced landscaping company or gardening service to keep your property looking neat.
- Create a Plan: Don’t go into a new landscaping season blind. It’s a good idea to create a plan for everything you’re going to plant. This allows you to “see” the final picture prior to doing all the work. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this on your own, an experienced landscaping company can certainly develop a plan for you.
- Establish a Focal Point: An overcrowded and confused yard is just as bad as a boring one. Make sure to weed out (pun intended) the unnecessary elements while establishing a general focal point for your property. That could be a beautiful flower bed, a pretty fountain, or a patio for entertaining. Resist the urge to do too much, but don’t do too little, either.
- Bring in Some Color: A flat, green lawn isn’t nearly as nice to look at without some pops of color to complement it. Be sure to add a variety of hues to your garden and group similar colors together. Not only is this aesthetically pleasing, but it can also help to support local bee populations! Having a bit of color throughout the seasons to keep your garden looking attractive all year long.
- Add Hardscaping Elements: Lush greenery and colorful flowers are all well and good, but it pays to have a bit of contrast. That’s where hardscaping comes in. Stone retaining walls, water features, pathways, gazebos, trellises, patios, and fences all fall under this category. These features can bring variety to your yard and even support your plants.
- Follow Local Ordinances: While governmental agencies won’t usually have a say in the type of species you plant (unless they’re invasive), be sure that any hardscaping elements you add are in line with local ordinances. Before installing a fence, patio, or outdoor kitchen, do your homework to ensure you won’t be in violation of those regulations.
- Examine Your Soil: Before you plant anything, you’ll want to make sure your soil is up to the task. Soil that’s devoid of essential nutrients or that is filled with clay won’t support the plant life you intend to have. Consult with an expert to ensure your property is well-suited for the type of landscaping you want and pursue soil replacement if necessary.
- Ensure Proper Drainage: Proper drainage is a must to ensure your plant life survives and that your home doesn’t become damaged. Hardscaping surfaces should be installed at angles to drive water away from your home. Your plants need water, but your home does not.
- Get Professional Help: Ultimately, it pays off to have help with landscaping from the experts. Trying to DIY will produce so-so results. Approximately 878,969 people are currently employed by the U.S. landscaping industry, so you’ll have no trouble finding an experienced landscaping company to help you create and maintain a magnificent outdoor space.
Ready to start working with an experienced landscaping company? Contact us today to learn more.
