A lot of people say that landscaping can be back-breaking, excruciating and boring. However, it becomes much easier to do a landscaping project in a more relaxed, easy-going and enjoyable way if you are equipped with the correct advice and information. This article contains a number of tips to help you on your next landscaping job.
Gather landscaping ideas from home and garden magazines. These magazines often showcase the most beautiful homes, and the most beautiful gardens. Though you might not be able to completely copy the look that you find in the magazine, you can gain inspiration which will help you to end up with a finished product that you are proud of.
Make sure you plan thoroughly before you begin landscaping. It is a great idea to sketch out your landscaping design when it’s still a plan, so you can get a good mental idea of what it is going to look like. Make notes of the plants, flowers, shrubs, etc. that you plan on using to improve your landscape.
Before you kick off a major landscaping effort, investing in a professional soil test is a good idea. Testing the soil will determine if anything should be eliminated or added to the soil to make it more healthy. That way, your plants stand a better chance of thriving.
To save money, you can buy items such as mulch or containers from a home-improvement warehouse. The quality of these items will not make much of a difference. However, you should go to a nursery to buy your plants and your other products such as pesticides instead of settling for low-quality products.
Cut costs by making purchases at the right time. Purchase your lumber during the winter, and purchase mulch, shrubs and trees in the late part of the planting season, if possible. When newer plants arrive on market, wait a few years until prices decrease.
Use balance, not symmetry. A balanced distribution of plants creates a focal point, but the garden should never be symmetrical. For example, a large tree to the left of the garden can be balanced by two smaller trees to the right. This creates a much more desirable effect in the garden, whereas a symmetrical look appears completely unnatural.
When it comes to landscaping, the timing of your purchases can mean everything. Buying certain items during certain seasons can mean paying much less for those items. Make sure you are paying attention to sales, but at the same time, you must also make sure you are sticking with your plan as well.
Set your lawnmower on the mulch setting so the grass clippings can help nourish your soil. As they decompose, the grass clippings will provide nutrients to your yard, so the lawn will be in less need of fertilizer.
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.
Start buying your materials in phases. Few people can afford to buy everything for their projects all at once. By dividing projects into multiple phases, you can pay for what you need as you go. This may save you money, help you keep track of your progress, and let you adjust plans prior to your next phase.
If you will be doing your own landscaping, a wise move is to put mulch around your flowers. Mulch is good for plant moisture, which is great in warm areas. A key function of mulch is its ability to distribute water to plants as needed.
Use annuals to bring color to your project. Perennial flowers are wonderful but they have a short lifetime, usually only a few month. Fill your beds with annuals and they will stay colorful throughout the year. Use perennials to complement the color scheme you have already established with the annual flowers.
If you are planning to plant trees to obtain privacy, buy fast-growing trees. A fast-growing tree does just that. A very popular variety of a fast-growing tree is the weeping cheery.
Choose native plants if your goal is to have a distinctive yet easy to maintain landscape. Plants that are naturally comfortable in your region will certainly require less attention than those that are not. Native plants also need less irrigation, which helps you save money.
Know what items can be purchased cheaply at your local home-improvement store and which ones you should spend top dollar on. It makes sense to purchase common items, such as mulch, pavers and ordinary perennials, at a big-box store. Specialty items and exotic plants should be purchased from a store that has a knowledgeable staff capable of advising you on the correct installation procedures or care of your purchase.
For big landscaping projects that will not break the bank, consider delaying your major plant purchases until mid-July. During this time, many lawn and garden centers offer significant markdowns on shrubs, trees and flowers. Do not worry if the plants do not appear quite as robust as they may have in the spring; most will survive the fall and winter months, then bloom in the spring.
As was discussed at the beginning of this article, it is clear that any landscaping job can be met with its share of challenges. Interestingly, landscaping can actually be a lot more exciting, enjoyable and rewarding for people who are equipped with the right information to do the job. Apply this article’s advice and you’ll be on your way to landscaping enjoyment!