We love our yards and spend most of our time trying to make them look attractive. Whether you are interested in making new changes to your landscape or just redesigning it, there are some factors that you have to consider. Here are some tips to help you make your yard look great.
Site Analysis
Your landscaping plan should begin with an analysis of the site and consider all factors that may affect your design. For example, you should consider your landscape's size, shape, and features like slopes and peaks. Also, analyze your drainage and test your soil for moisture, pH, and fertility, to determine where you can group your plants according to their water and nutrients needs. Create a list of what already exists in your yard and separate it into what can be recycled or what needs to be changed. You can also analyze the wind patterns so as to strategically place your plants and trees to block excess wind and enjoy cool breezes.
Climate/Environment
Think about your area's climate when making plans for your landscape. While you are at your plan, consider the environment and use eco-friendly materials to build and design your landscape. You can focus on recycling rather than buying new products.
Priorities
First, prioritize the materials you will need in the backyard; this will help you budget. Next, think about who will use your landscape and how they will use it. This will help you have essential items for everyone including kids, pets, and adults. You can plan for additional items such as swimming pools and vegetable gardens. Also, you need to remember the smaller but crucial elements of your project such as installing an under door seal. This type of installation might be overlooked, however, it is important to consider keeping out unwanted debris, water, and bugs from outside.
Focus on the Design
When considering a theme for your landscape, the best place to start is to check the design and architecture of your home. Select a theme that unifies your landscape, backyard, and home. You can find ideas in gardening magazines, the internet, and books. Before selecting a theme or style, it is important to look at your property's surrounding views.
Take great care to choose an appropriate theme for your yard based on the architecture. You can also look at your backyard from viewpoints like through the windows from the kitchen, family room, and bedrooms. This will help you to identify which parts will have the greatest impact.
Pay Attention to Detail
The detail in landscaping is derived from the quality of plants; combinations of color, texture and other aesthetics create visual qualities. At different seasons of the year, the color will be the most noticeable characteristic of the garden. Therefore, use numerous colors in different plant parts like the foliage. Also, ensure the color of other items naturally blends with the surrounding.
Structure Your Planting
Just as walls provide structure to a building, plants also do provide structure in the garden. Shrubs are a good example that can act as walls, and the branches of the tree form a ceiling canopy overhead. Plants should be grouped and layered to achieve visual unity and uniformity. You can also blend the plants to create more value and unique designs for the backyard.
Consider Plants and their Functions
Plants in the landscape design have different purposes; they can be used as ornament to improve the beauty of the space. They are also essential in organizing the area and achieving other benefits, such as regulating temperatures and sunlight levels in the backyard. Finally, they can prevent weather effects such as erosion by ensuring the soil is intact hence maintaining the landscape design. Therefore, you need to consider the type of plants based on the climate and soil in the area.
Understand the Costs
Be realistic and decide how much time and resources you are willing to spend on redesigning the backyard and maintaining your landscape. You should also weigh the DIY costs versus hiring someone to do it for you. Finally, evaluate how much maintenance you are willing to spend on maintaining the backyard. Go for a simple design that will not require high maintenance and construction costs.
Conclusion
Your backyard plays a critical role in your home. It improves the appeal of your home, provides a space to relax, and promotes healthy living and lifestyle. Several tips will help you create a well-pleasing landscape design but remember to always put ideas on paper before starting.
Author Bio.: Tracie Johnson
Tracie Johnson is a New Jersey native and an alum of Penn State University. Tracie is passionate about writing, reading, and living a healthy lifestyle. She feels happiest when around a campfire surrounded by friends, family, and her Dachshund named Rufus.
