So, you recently purchased your first home. You moved your furniture in, arranged the decor, organized everything just right, but now that you’re a homeowner, you have an additional element to contend with – the yard.
If you’ve never tackled landscaping before, you might be feeling a little lost. Depending on the size of your yard, you might have quite the job on your hands. But don’t worry, we’re here to help!
Listed below are 5 landscaping tips that will point you in the right direction with your yard. With this guide, you’ll be able to bring the outdoor space of your dreams to life, even if you’ve never designed a yard before. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know.
1. Plan Now, Plant Later
Before you break out the landscaping equipment, you need to work with a pen and paper (or a computer program that allows you to draw). If possible, it’s a good idea to take pictures of your yard and draw your landscaping ideas on top of them so that you get an idea of exactly what the finished product will look like.
Your home landscaping should be tailored to you and your tastes, but should also mesh well with the exterior of your house. What colors will complement the color of your siding? Do you want a neat and organized garden or a more bohemian feel with your landscape? Are there any specific plants or elements you have your heart set on?
Have all of these questions answered before you begin. It will make the actual landscaping process easier to manage.
2. Keep Maintenance in Mind
As you plan your perfect yard, be sure to keep maintenance in mind. Sure, having a wall of shrubbery lining your yard would look beautiful, but keeping bushes and shrubs in good condition is a lot of hard work.
If you’re planning to maintain your yard yourself, think about how much work you’re willing to put into it on a consistent basis. If you’re going to hire a professional to maintain your landscaping for you, remember that the more work involved, the higher the price will be for each visit.
3. Research Your Gardening Climate
One of the most important steps of landscaping design is to familiarize yourself with your gardening climate. In other words, you need to know what types of plants grow in your area, and what type of yard you have.
For example, if your yard is in direct sunlight for most of the day, plants that require shade aren’t going to flourish. If part of your yard is on a slope, the area at the bottom is going to collect more water than that at the top.
Map out your yard and break it into regions depending on the amount of sun and water each receives. You can then purchase plants and other elements that fit each region.
Those just beginning to test out their green thumb might also want to do some research into plants that are easier to care for than others. Like pets, some plants are high maintenance and require a great deal of expertise and careful care to keep them healthy. That said, there are a number of flowers for beginners that are both beautiful and easy to maintain.
4. Keep a Record of Your Plants
Once you have everything planted but before you go in for the evening, take a moment to record the positioning of all your plants. You can keep the paper labels in the ground, but these are easily washed away by bad weather. Because of this, it’s a better idea to either draw out your landscape or take pictures.
Regardless of which route you choose, you need to label what each plant is, the date you purchased it, and where you purchased it from. In doing so, you’ll have a record should you ever need to replace something.
In addition, any reputable greenhouse or gardening store will offer at least a one-year guarantee on perennial plants, as well as shrubs and trees. If something should wilt before its time, you’ll be able to exchange it free of charge.
5. Reach Out for Help
We all need a little help sometimes! If at any point you feel that you’re in over your head or you’ve given yourself too much work for one person, it’s okay to ask for help.
Whether you call a friend or neighbor who’s a landscaping aficionado or you schedule an appointment with professional landscaping companies such as Franz Witte, having a helping hand can make all the difference.
If you’re asking a friend for assistance, you can simply compensate them with good company and a pizza afterward. With a professional, however, you might need to rework your budget to make room for landscaper’s fees.
Design the Yard of Your Dreams With These Landscaping Tips
Starting with a blank canvas can be overwhelming, but with these landscaping tips, you’ll find that designing the yard of your dreams isn’t as difficult as you thought.
One of the best things you can do is to take your time in the planning stage. Decide exactly what you want to do before you pick up a rake or shovel. And if you feel that your plans are a little beyond your skill level, don’t be afraid to reach out to a professional for help.
Looking for more tips and tricks for designing your home like a professional? Be sure to check out our blog!
