Article by-Gilbert Ortiz

Landscaping can add tremendous beauty and value to your home and can also, provide you with a pleasant hobby. However, without the right type of knowledge, your work may not produce the results that you desire. Follow the tips in this piece to create the type of stunning outdoor environment that you have always wanted.

When planning a landscaping project for your home, be sure that you try to completely estimate all of the costs involved. This is critical. Not only do you want to make sure that you are not stuck on a project that you cannot finish, but you also will be able to plan out what materials you need before going to the store.

Plant companion plants in your garden. These plants naturally work together to help each other repel pests and diseases. This can help you to have a healthier garden without the use of pesticides. You can find a lot of information on companion plants through a quick Internet search.

Always go for quality over cheap products. You will encounter many cheap, shoddy landscaping products if you shop at a home improvement store. Go to a nursery or other specialty store to find quality products and people who know what they are talking about. Paying extra money will be worth it due to the fact that you’ll get better products as well as great advice.

Save on materials by buying them at the right times. Purchase your lumber during the winter time and buy mulch, shrubs and trees as late in the year as possible. Instead of buying new plants when they first appear, wait a year or two and let the prices fall.

Always go for quality over cheap products. Big chains and home improvement stores usually carry cheaper, lower quality products. If you go to a store that specializes in the kinds of projects you want, then you can ask employees for help. Although it may cost more, you will have better products and get excellent advice.

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.

Minimize your workload by eliminating excess flower beds, and borders. These additions to your landscape can be a haven for weeds, and hard to cut grass. By replacing them in your landscape plan, you will decrease the attention needed for weeding and unpleasant maintenance. Look for less cumbersome additions to your lawn.





Create a plan. Before you pick up a shovel, map everything out on paper. Your plan can range in complexity from a quick sketch to a highly detailed proposal. Be sure to include the features in your garden that you want to keep, and then make several copies of the plan. Use these copies to design a number of different options for your garden, including various types of beds and hard scape.

Cheaper isn’t always better. Since landscaping is so expensive, many may be tempted to buy the cheapest materials out there. This can be a huge mistake and can end up costing you significantly more in the long run. Do your research. Look at reviews, expert opinions and customer feedback before you make a purchase.

Purchase the largest tree that your budget allows. Even if you plan to live in your home for many years, remember that most trees grow very slowly. While you may only be able to afford a single tree, few landscaping elements make an impact as bold and attractive. Choose a tree that thrives in the native climate and soil type.

When you design your landscape, don’t forget how it will appear in the autumn. A lot of people only think of summer and spring colors for their landscape and fail to realize that fall can give your yard a great look if planned correctly. If you decide to plant trees and shrubs that offer amazing fall color, you will be very thankful when you see the results in September and October.

It is important to know what landscape design elements are “must haves” for you, and which ones you can live without. Skimping on https://docs.google.com/document/d/1k9qv2bWN-P50bmohGcR_N-kSQZLrbqSz3Du6E5qSRbk/edit that you feel are necessary may lead to results so unappealing you can’t live with them, causing you to spend additional money to correct your mistake.

A great thing to keep in mind when planning a landscape design is to select sufficient plants and features to ensure year-round visual appeal. By making certain that your outdoor space will have something flourishing or providing structural interest during every single season, you can create a design that will never disappoint the eye.

Educate yourself on the techniques involved in landscaping design. For example, use a certain species of plant throughout your landscape to develop continuity. Use plants with different textures to give variation to your design. Abundant resources are available through the library or bookstores, that will give some clear, concise layout options.

Fall color should be taken into consideration as part of any landscape design process. When you choose your plantings in the spring, consider how those plants will look during different seasons of the year. Choose a variety of evergreen and non-evergreen plants, as well as plants that bloom in the fall, to prepare to add interest and color to your garden year-round. You will be glad you made that decision in September and October, because your yard will look completely stunning.

Beautiful landscape designs are those that take height and layering into consideration. By staggering plantings based on their probable stature when mature, it is possible to create a tableau that appears organic, rather than overly planned. This gives the appearance of a lush, natural garden instead of a formulaic grouping of predictable plants.

Plant your lawn in layered horizontal segments for the most visual interest. The tallest plants are typically planted as a background element in the various segments of a landscaping plan. Position your other plants around them varying the height from tallest to shortest as you move away from the central element of a segment.

Make a design that is pleasant and functional. For example, pay attention to how much space you are allocating between the patio and the driveway; you do not want it to be too narrow. Use care when placing plants or trees near your driveway or house. They may cause damage to these areas when they grow if they are too close.

By adding some carefully planned landscaping to your home, you have the ability to greatly improve the look and feel of your outdoor spaces. The key is to arm yourself with a good amount of knowledge before you begin to work. Take the ideas in this article to heart, and you will have the power to add beauty and visual appeal to the exterior of your home.