Don't let your fear of landscaping keep you from having the best looking house on the block. You don't have to have a green thumb to do some simple things to make your home look great. You can start this weekend and have a better looking yard, in no time at all.
Before you buy anything, take the time to draw a detailed sketch of your garden. You should know exactly where things go in addition to which order you will proceed to create your landscape. Give yourself a few weeks to review your sketches and make a few changes, if you need to.
If you plan to incorporate flowers into your landscaping plans, you might want to consider layering them. If you plant them so that the tallest are in the back, and the smallest in the front you allow for all flowers to be easily visible from the primary view. If you face the largest to the north, you are also allowing for optimal growth.
Use contrast to bring interest to your landscaping. Try to plant items that are very different from each other in color, form and texture. Look at a color wheel, select the colors that are opposite each other and then pair plantings of those colors together. This variety will give a better look to your landscape.
If you are tired of seeing your beloved plants trampled by visitors, consider adding a footpath. Use brick, stone or wood to create a path that extends well beyond the boundaries of the area you wish to protect. A well-defined, wide path makes it clear which areas are safe as well as, which should not be trodden upon.
Think outside of the box to help save yourself money, while not sacrificing quality. For instance, construction and demolition sites are good spots for finding bricks, and sometimes mulch as well. Botanical centers, and other places offer plant sales sometimes too. There are plenty of more options available to you if you plan.
In many cases, the less expensive landscaping product can be the way to go. Things such as containers, mulch, and regular perennials are things you want to buy cheaper, as the costly versions are the same. It is recommended to look over your plants good, however. Many discount big box stores may not have workers who provide the optimum care to their plants.
While you might not be able to afford to hire a landscape architect or design professional to develop your landscaping plans. It is well worth the money to pay for an hour-long consultation with one. Doing so can help you refine your ideas and prevent you from making costly mistakes.
Utilize different forms and textures in your landscaping plan. This is a great way to diversify your landscaping by using distinctive branching patterns and foliage. From trees to bushes, or perennials to annuals, using a variety of different forms and textures in the plants you choose will add interest and uniqueness to your landscaping design.
Do not assume you're stuck with a boring, dead landscape in the winter. Look for ways to add splashes of color to your lawn. Brightly colored furniture, berry-producing woody shrubs, evergreens, and attractive hard scape designs, like pathways, can all keep your yard interesting when everything else is grey and brown.
Buy lumber for outdoor projects during the winter months. It is going to be cheaper than during the spring and summer months. You may also be able to find some really great deals on trees, soil, shrubs and other things by purchasing them off season while demand is low as well.
When hiring a professional landscaper, it is important to make sure they have a license, and liability insurance. You wouldn't want a tree to fall on your car, and not be able to collect for the damages! Always protect yourself, and your property by requiring proof of license, and insurance.
Know what items can be purchased cheaply at your local home-improvement store and which ones you should spend top dollar on. It makes sense to purchase common items, such as mulch, pavers and ordinary perennials, at a big-box store. Specialty items and exotic plants should be purchased from a store that has a knowledgeable staff capable of advising you on the correct installation procedures or care of your purchase.
Those of you who want to design a landscape that does not require a lot of work year round, would be wise to plant a low maintenance yard. Clover is a great substitute for grass, as it is naturally insect resistant, and requires much less mowing than grass does.
Think about continuity when you are designing your landscaping. Try to incorporate a few anchor plants that you will utilize throughout your landscaping so that it has a sense of unity. You can pick some shrubs or repetitive patterns in your planting to give your landscaping a sense of continuity.
Do not pay more than is necessary for your landscaping items. When you shop around, you may find that there is very little difference in quality between items at specialty stores, and warehouses. In those cases, it is wise to choose the less expensive items. As long as the things you are purchasing are good quality, or healthy save a little money where you can.
Whether your lawn needs a major overhaul, it is just time to get it growing again in the spring, aeration is a great idea. The aerating process involves punching small holes through the turf to improve soil drainage. If you have a tiny lawn, you can handle aeration with manual tools. For bigger areas, mechanical aerators are available.
Think about incorporating a water feature into your landscaping project. It can be something small, like a prefabricated waterfall, or something more elaborate like a pond and stream. This really adds a dramatic look and feel to any landscaping project. You can even incorporate many flowering aquatic plants into your water feature as well.
There are so many ways to have a great looking yard. This article has shown you the ease and simplicity that landscaping can be. Anyone can do some simple things to have a great looking yard. As you have read here, you can make some easy changes and have a much better looking yard.
Orignal From: Keeping Your Lawn Green And Healthy All Summer
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