Seven Landscaping Tips for Your Yard

So you are going to plant a garden. Will you put your plants in anywhere that takes your fancy? Or will you landscape your garden, with a specific ‘look’ in mind? If you have decided to landscape, whether you do it yourself or use a professional, there are some things you should keep in mind:

1. Firstly list all your needs for your garden. Do you want to increase shade, put in a pool, build a water feature, keep your lawn, erect a shed, have an entertaining area, need a place to hang your washing, have a space for your dog, want to grow vegetables, flowers, herbs, shrubs or a combination, etc? Once you know your needs you will be able to develop your plan accordingly.

2. Now you must work out how much space you have to do all you want and how this space will affect your landscape design. And does the design you want fit in with your house style? If you have only a small space to landscape, it is best to keep the design simple. For larger yards, divide the space into segments, nominating areas for your listed needs.

3. Take a walk around your yard, trying to imagine the garden you want. Will it work? Will you be able to block out the neighbor’s unsightly wall, will your herb garden get enough sunlight? Can you see the sandpit from the kitchen window?

4. Are there any council requirements or restrictions on what you want to do?

5. Do you need to prepare your yard for any of your requirements? For example, do you need to put in drainage, retaining walls, fences, etc?

6. What is your budget for your landscaping? This will dictate how big or small your project can be.

7. How soon do you want your project finished? Give yourself at least six months to plan and implement your landscaping design.

Once you have decided what you want and need in your garden and how much money you have to implement the design it’s now time to draw up your plans.

Draw up a basic landscaping plan in which you will mark all the major features you want in your garden. Your plan should keep as close to scale as possible and include your property boundaries, house, utilities, all existing features of the garden with the new landscaping to be carried out marked in.

This plan you will probably work with for a while until you get it exactly right. You may have an idea of the types of plants you want in your garden and where you want them.

Don’t be tempted to plant anything until the plan is finalized. On your plans you don’t need to individually name each plant, just label them as trees, shrubs, flowers, groundcover or herbs as required.

Now you have a plan of your landscaping and requirements for your new yard. You are ready to build the garden of your dreams.

Tags: Landscaping Tips