Everyone would like a yard that their neighbors envy, but very few understand enough about proper landscaping. Armed with the necessary know-how, landscaping can actually be easy. The article will provide you with helpful ideas to consider for creating a beautifully landscaped yard.
Use native plants in your yard. Native plants are comfortable in the soil and climate of your region, so they are easier to maintain. This makes them easier to care for than imported plants. You can find information about plants that are native to your area by visiting your favorite gardening store.
If you plan to landscape your yard, be sure to do a good amount of research on the best types of plants for your area. Some grasses grown better in warmer regions, while others can survive a tough winter with ease. The same can be true for various bushes and trees.
It is generally a good idea to evaluate the sunlight that is available to you before you start landscaping. This way you can plan what sort of plants will go where so that they receive the optimal amount of sunlight. You don't want to have plants die because of too little or too much sun exposure.
In your next landscaping endeavor you may want to include a water feature as a focal point. Water features are very appealing, not only for their appearance, but also for the beautiful noises they can make. There are many options, from fountains to faux rivers that will surely enhance your yard's appearance.
For flowers, or garden beds that you add to your landscape, go for a narrow approach. You will need to weed, and maintain these beds throughout the year. A thinner bed is easier to reach across, and requires less moving around. Remember, to keep them wide enough to prevent plants from overgrowing the boundaries of the bed too quickly.
When planning a landscaping project for your house, keep an open mind and look beyond the places that you normally would consider. You may be surprised to find what good sales, variety of items you might find at places such as arboretums, and local botanical gardens. Check with your city to see if mulch, fill, or stone is offered. You should even check with your neighbors to see what resources they may have to share.
When you are planning your landscaping, consider what it will look like from inside your house. It is easy to fall into the trap of only thinking of how the plantings will look to pedestrians on the street. However, you are the one who will be living with this landscaping, and most of the time you will be viewing it from inside your home. So take some time before you begin to make sure your landscaping will be appealing to both from both the inside and the outside.
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.
Consider what look you are trying to establish when building a walkway. For example, if you are trying to get a natural, rustic look, use flagstones and plant a low growing moss between the rock. For a more polished look you can use concrete walkways with formal plantings along the edge.
Your landscape design is not just about plants, but about the accessories and decorations that you utilize as well. Everything from pavers to furniture will all make a big impact on the success of your landscaping. Try to look at your area as a whole before you begin so that you do not regret making the wrong choices.
Choose plants to compliment every season. Different species of plants' bloom or show the colorful foliage they are prized for at different times of the years. When you are shopping for plants for your landscaping project, make sure you take those seasonal characteristics into consideration. Balance out your plant selections by choosing a few plants for each of the four seasons.
Trim your landscaping as needed so your yard will not look shabby and unkempt. Plants such as hedges, vines and many shrubs tend to grow too fast, losing their compact, full shape. Do not be afraid to cut them down to almost nothing, as they will quickly grow back and fill out beautifully.
Add new mulch to your garden regularly. Mulch helps to keep your plant's moist, and it can repel insects as well. In addition, it is pretty to look at a freshly mulched garden. You will also slow down the growth of weeds by keeping your garden mulched on a regular basis
Do not start a large landscaping project if you are not planning on staying in your home for too long. Although a good landscape increases the value of your home, you will more than likely spend a lot of time and money on a landscape you will never really enjoy.
Utilize xeriscape in your yard. This means that the plants which require the most water are closer together, nearer to the house. Plants which require less water will further out, need less frequent watering. The plants near the house will maintain their moisture better, while their evaporation will make that area a little cooler in the summer.
Contour an area before you plant. Arrange the hills and valleys so that rain runs onto your plantings and cannot run off quickly to cause erosion. Large rocks can be part of this system, holding the raised soil in place and adding further interest to the landscaping. Low-growing plants to cover sloped areas will help even more in capturing the run-off when it rains.
Now you know how to get the beautiful landscape you have always wanted. Get out into the fresh air and put all this newfound advice to great use. Your luxurious new greenery will be the talk of the neighborhood.
