Landscaping IdeasTop Landscaping IdeasThis page about landscaping ideas and the page about backyard landscaping ideas contains information for enhancements to the front door, front yard, lawn, driveway, flower gardens, invasive species, toxic plants, pest control, decks, pergolas, patios, gazebos, container gardening, water features, how to plant a tree, fences and their cost.
Have a Plan for your Landscaping IdeasDraw an accurate diagram to scale of the lot for your landscaping ideas. You will have to do some measuring of the lot. Time taken here will help frustration later. Without a plan you can end up in some part of the lot buying too many plants or not enough for that spot. You need to know what size plant, shrub or tree will fit in an area. Mark on your diagram the areas of sun and shade and the approximate number of hours of sun in each area. The local garden supply store can advise you as to what plants need full, partial or no sun.Landscaping Design Principles1. Unity: repeated use of one type of stone, color or some design feature.2. Simplicity: Keep it simple. Less can be more pleasing in landscaping. 3. Balance: The design can be symmetrical or asymmetrical. 4. Use Color against the green backdrop. 5. Create natural gradual transitions in the landscape, no abrupt changes. 6. Straight or curvy lines of edges of walkways and garden beds should flow. 7. Create a sense of proportion; for example, large statues in a large garden but not in a small garden. 8. Repeat several different design elements in the garden. Try some simple, affordable and creative ideas to provide shade, a sense of enclosure, style, easy access to the kitchen, a view from the living room and a place to eat, work and talk with family and friends. Landscaping SoftwareLandscaping software can be expensive. But if you have a large project it may be worth it. You should be able to have a free trial of the software. You may be able to find some free landscaping design software on the internet.Work with what you have: shade, sun, rocky soil, slopes, whatever. There are plants for every type of condition: hostas for shade, succulents for sunny dry areas (think desert cactus!), coreopsis for poor soil – they will grow in gravel and in between your interlocking brick patio stones! There is a multitude of flowering plants that love the sun. Use hardy native plants that need less water. Consult the local nursery for plants that will flourish in your area. Get Organized: Have Tools A shovel (spade), trowel, garden fork, rake, clippers, shears, garden hose with spray attachment, pail, basket, wheel barrow, Be Safe! Protect yourself from cuts and bug bites: wear work gloves, use bug repellent if necessary. Wear sturdy footwear for digging. Wear a sun hat and drink lots of water if it is hot and use sun block. Use proper lifting methods to prevent straining your back. Landscaping Ideas for Fall Color and Winter InterestThose Spring and Summer flowering plants sure make a great impression on a potential buyer. But what about the other two seasons: Fall and Winter? Add some shrubs or plants that will contribute some color or a unique shape (a statue, antique farm implement?) for interest during the darker seasons.
The Front Entrance to Your HouseThe front of your house creates the first and sometimes lasting impression of your home for that potential buyer. How many times have I had a hard time convincing a client to enter a home that I wanted to show them because of a shabby front entrance and front yard. (No, it was not my listing!)Consider replacing the front door if it really does not look good. Or at least paint it. Plant some low shrubs and annual flowers along the walkway to the front entrance. If there is room, place some potted flowering plants on the front entrance patio. Front Yard Landscaping IdeasLawn –Do you really need grass? skip the big lawn. Plant some native plants or construct a rock garden.Alternatives to Grass 1. White Dutch clover grows from 2 to 8 inches, chokes out weeds and is resistant to drought. 2. Ornamental grasses will grow in zones from 6 to 9. 3. Sedges: there are 2000 different types that will grow well in sun or shade. Can be mowed 2 or 3 times a year. 4. Irish Moss grows in a wet environment. It is a weed resistant ground cover. 5. Herbal such as chamomile, creeping thyme, mint and oregano. 6. Low growing evergreen plants. 7. Ivy looks good as a ground cover. Some of these alternatives to grass are expensive to buy but in the long run there will be little work to do. 8. Decorative rocks with native plants need little work. A few weeds will have to be removed in the early seasons. 9. Mulch is cheaper than rocks and comes in different colors. 10. Install a water feature edged with rocks and mulch and s few plants. 11. Patio stones take up some space from a lawn of grass. They can be arranged to create an outdoor dining or area for relaxing. 12. Build a deck with composite materials to increase out door living space and reduce the size of the area for grass. A low deck can be built anywhere in the lawn area. Feeding the lawn is the best way to develop a healthy lawn that will resist bugs and weeds. Fertilize with compost, worm castings, sheep dung, seaweed or fish meal every six weeks. Spread new seed every year, especially in thin spots. Cover any bare spots lightly with triple mix. WateringIf it has not rained water about an inch of water per week in the mornings from May to October. Mowers: gasoline, battery, push or ride on, mulching mower, goats! Find a mower that is the right size for the job. For a city lot a battery powered mulching mower would be ideal. It is quiet, eco-friendly and the mulching part means there will be no need to rake lawn clippings. The mulched clippings will help fertilize the grass. For most country properties a ride on mower is required. Mow grass to a height of 3 inches. This height of grass will help prevent the sprouting of weeds. Weed seeds need light to sprout so keep them in the dark! Animals Eat Plants Voles look like big mice but are vegetarians; they will eat your petunias. Deer love tulips, not for their looks but for their taste. Trees, Shrubs: are best planted away from the house foundation walls. Roots can cause problems with foundation walls. The DrivewayBe it gravel, asphalt, interlocking stone, stamped concrete or even just grass.Take a hard look at the driveway. The driveway is truly the path leading to your buyer’s new home! Make it look good with a slight curve if there is room. Perhaps it should be replaced or resurfaced. Check out the cost of course.
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