Need Help Landscaping Your Lawn? Try These Tips
Have you ever looked at a neighbor's beautifully landscaped yard and wondered how they did it? If so, you're in the right place. This article will teach you the basics of home landscaping, so that you can create your own beautiful yard. Soon you will be the envy of all the other homeowners in the neighborhood.
If you will be putting an outdoor kitchen in your yard, it is wise to put granite on its surface. While more costly, granite is a more durable and elegant material to use rather than marble.
Do not settle for a cheap design such as a patio or a deck if you are not going to use it. It might be worth it to pay a professional designer to help you create the kind of space and design you will use and enjoy throughout different seasons.
If you fear damaging power lines or other infrastructure the next time you need to dig for your landscaping project, contact a 'dig safe' helpline first. The service, popularized in the northeastern United States, allows you to double check before digging to ensure that you don't damage anything while performing your landscaping work.
Think about water requirements. If you live in an area that doesn't get a lot of rain, try to use plants that don't require a lot of water. Grass needs more water than any other type of plant, so replace your lawn with wood chips, gravel, or a type of ground cover that is suitable for high drought areas.
Be judicious when it comes to selecting your plants, because this can have a huge effect on the success of your landscaping project. It is not wise to put plants in shady areas if they require sunlight. Also make certain that there is sufficient room for the roots to grow and spread. Take the time to ensure your plants can thrive in their new home.
Before purchasing or planting a given plant, ensure that you know its expected height and its growth rate. You may decide not to bother with that cute little shrub if you find out how quickly it can become an overgrown monster. Fast-growing plants may require more pruning and maintenance than you bargained for, so do your homework before you shop.
Before you actually break ground, remember any structures in the area, and try not to harm anything. Check to make sure that there are not any underground cables or pipes prior to digging. Check with your city or county prior to digging so that you know you won't be damaging any underground lines.
Consider growing a hedge or bamboo plants to add privacy to your hard. Bamboo is a hardy grass, and it grows very quickly. It can add a lot of beauty to your property, and also give you a privacy barrier from neighbors or noisy streets. Just be cautious when growing bamboo as it does grow very quickly, meaning you will have to prune it regularly to keep it from becoming over grown.
Think outside of the box to help save yourself money, while not sacrificing quality. For instance, construction and demolition sites are good spots for finding bricks, and sometimes mulch as well. Botanical centers, and other places offer plant sales sometimes too. There are plenty of more options available to you if you plan.
One of the most important things you can do to reduce your landscaping costs, is to draw up a plan before you begin buying plants, and building materials. Knowing what you need, and where it goes will prevent you from wasting money on unneeded items. You'll save you time as well.
Plan out what time of the year you are going to buy your supplies in order to save money. For example, lumber does not cost as much in the winter as it does in the summer. You can also find better deals on trees, soil and perennials later in the season when not as many people are buying them.
If you are trying to landscape on a budget, remember that you do not need to finish the entire project all at one time. It is actually smart to break down your project into segments at times. It becomes more simple to financially accomplish. Start by writing down what goals you want to accomplish first, and then get to it.
Anyone wishing to create a landscape design with real visual impact, should consider adding elements other than plants to enhance the overall appearance of the space. Furniture, lighting elements, statuary, and stonework are all examples of items that can be layered throughout the outdoor space to create a look that appears to have evolved over time.
Now that you've learned some techniques for landscaping, check out your neighbor's yard again with the eyes of a professional landscaper. You might be able to get some ideas for your own yard or even see things you could improve on. Have fun using these new landscaping techniques to create the yard of your dreams.