By Fred Pointe


Does your yard make you smile or do you tend to frown? Many people feel that the work or cost of landscaping is out of their range. However, you'll be surprised with how simple it can be to make a difference in your yard. Here are a few steps to get you started.

Learn how the spaces in your home can help with your landscaping efforts, and keep these things in mind. For example, if you live near a busy intersection use shrubs and hedges to help mute the sound of traffic. Construct a play area if you are a parent. It can also be fun to design a space for entertaining friends or having family barbecues somewhere on your property.

Add some variety to your flower beds and borders with the addition of ornamental grass. Ornamental grasses add texture and break up the monotony of a flower bed. They can also be used as borders themselves. With so many kinds of grass that require different maintenance, it is easy for you to select grasses that complement your overall design.

Know the precise measurements of your target work area before you head out to select your plants and materials. It will be a lot easier to gauge the number of plants you need when you have the measurements mapped out. Having this knowledge will help you to avert buying too little or too much of anything.

In order to enhance the appearance of your landscape design, consider using a broad array of trees and colorful, flowering specimens. You can get shrubs that are not green; there are shrubs that produce flowers or are other colors. Think of trees that flower during the spring and summer.

Most people don't consider going online to get their landscaping items. There are several factors that make shopping for plants online a good idea, though. Besides its ease and convenience, shopping online gives you access to a wider variety of plants than you could find at a home improvement store or a local nursery.

When you first begin to think about your landscape project, you want to get the entire picture of your home. Create an overhead map or sketch of your property to determine which elements can be placed in which locations. This gives you a concrete way to visualize your layout.

When planting seeds, cover as much ground as possible. No matter what the amount you are seeding, it can be time consuming. Working on bigger groups will save time.

If you would like to have a great landscape, think about sharing costs with neighbors. This means that you and all your neighbors can put in some money and buy lawn tools that you all share together. It can be helpful to have an agreement and schedule in place, so that you know who has access to what pieces of equipment at what time.

Anyone who intends to do their own landscaping must first plan a budget. Sit down and list what you need to do the project. Next, determine where you should buy these materials. You don't want to overspend, and that can happen easily since different stores can vary wildly in price depending on where they are located. Do your homework to find out where you can buy plants for less, such as wholesale nurseries or plant marts in downtown areas.

Do not sacrifice quality for the sake of savings. Many home improvement shops carry items that do not cost a lot and are not of high quality. A niche retailer will offer you great advice and high quality products at a reasonable price. This is worth the extra expense, because the products you purchase will be of a higher quality and you will receive proper advice.

When planning your landscape design, allow room for plants to grow. A tree that starts off small and cute might grow into a huge tree that is too close to the house. Take the size of whatever you are planting into consideration in order to have the proper balance between your plants.

After reading the tips in this article, it is time to get started. Your landscaping will get better with each endeavor when you implement the tips you have learned here. Utilize this information, and make your property look great!




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