Landscaping is an investment in your new home. It enhances curb appeal and adds functional outdoor spaces that reflect your lifestyle.
A few basic design principles can help you create a magazine-worthy landscape. Here are seven easy garden design tips for first time homeowners: 1. Know Your Goals. 2. Map Your Space. 3. Make a Plant List.
1. Think About Your Goals
Whether you’re moving to a new house, or simply want a change of scenery in your existing yard, it’s important to clearly define the goals you have for your landscape. This will help you choose the right plants, materials, and other landscape features for your property.
Service professionals always ask their clients how they plan to use their yards; however, laypeople often neglect this step before running out to purchase landscaping elements. For instance, a homeowner may decide they want to entertain family and friends in their backyard. This would mean adding a patio, fire pit, or other hardscape to their garden.
It is also important to consider how the passage of time will affect your landscape. Some plants will grow larger or smaller than others depending on their conditions, and you should be sure to select trees and shrubs that have the space needed for their mature size. Additionally, you should be conscious of how much water your landscape consumes and work to minimize it.
Finally, you should create a sense of movement and flow in your landscape with your selections. This will make it easier to move throughout the landscape and enjoy its visual details. For example, you can add vertical interest to your design with tall trees or a pergola and create a vista with the use of plants with varying heights or textures. You can also add interest with the use of decorative lawn ornaments, such as driftwood or animal sculptures, that don’t require any maintenance. By combining different elements with careful consideration, you will create a beautiful, functional landscape that you can enjoy for years to come.
2. Map Out Your Space
When designing a landscape, exact measurements are needed. Whether you complete the work yourself or have it done professionally, precise planning will save you time, money, and headaches in the long run. Start with a basic map of your property. This doesn’t have to be to scale but should show the exterior dimensions of your house, existing structures like sheds or gazebos, and the perimeter of the property. Identify any areas of sun or shade, any wind-prone zones and slopes. You may also want to note the locations of any trees or shrubs that you plan to keep, as well as paved areas such as driveways, patios and sidewalks.
Next, mark on the map where you would like to add a variety of elements. For example, you may want to screen a view of the neighbor’s yard, plant new flower beds and install a patio. Label these spaces on your map with bubbles. After you have a complete list of your choices, make a final drawing that incorporates all of these individual decisions. This will become your landscape design concept.
You can create your landscape design either on paper or with a computer program that is designed for garden layout. If you choose to use a computer software, look for programs that offer an easy-to-use template or design guide. This will help you to easily understand the process of creating a landscape design. Many of these programs will even have videos that can walk you through the process. For the best results, work with a professional landscape designer who can provide you with a comprehensive plan that will address all of your individual goals.
3. Create a Plant List
When you have a design in mind, it is easier to stay on track when selecting plants and materials. It is easy to be tempted by the beautiful flowers and lush greenery at the gardening store, but you need to consider whether those plants will thrive in your landscape. Instead, you should start by creating a list of plants that are right for your landscape and your skill level. Basil, for instance, is a great choice if you want to plant an herb garden or hydrangeas if you want something that requires very little pruning. Portulacas are also a good option if you want something that can survive even the most inexperienced of landscapers, or any other plants that suit your needs and climate.
Once you have a list of plants that will work with the conditions in your landscape, it is time to create a specific plan for each planting area. This can be as simple as a rough sketch of the landscape that includes natural and man-made features, such as buildings, driveways, sidewalks, patios and other outdoor structures. Make notes about how much sunlight each area receives, and if there are any slopes on your property. Then, select plants that will help achieve your design goals – such as providing food for wildlife, reducing energy costs by retaining soil moisture and heat, blocking undesirable views or noise, preventing erosion on steep slopes and more.
You should also consider the types of pests you might encounter in your yard, which will influence your landscape plant selection. For example, deer and invasive plant species can be big problems, but there are many ways to keep them out of your landscape if you choose the right plants.
4. Make a Budget
Once you have established a list of landscape elements that are most important to your overall goals, you can begin to narrow down what might be possible within your budget. Using the Internet to get an idea of what things cost in your area can be helpful. However, a local professional can provide you with a more detailed understanding of the costs involved. It is also important to have open discussions with a design expert to ensure that your desires are met.
The more creative you can be with your design, the better your budget can stretch. Many people do not realize that there are many ways to make a landscape work without spending a fortune. For example, many plants have a tendency to grow and expand over time, so letting them spread out will actually give you more space for your money. In addition, some materials can be used over again for more than one project.
Another way to make your landscape design dollars go further is by investing in perennials instead of annuals, which are more expensive. Once you have these plants in place, they will re-grow year after year, giving you an excellent return on your investment.
Lastly, you can also save on maintenance by utilizing hardscapes like walkways and decks, which will eliminate the need for constant mowing. You can even reduce your carbon footprint by using eco-friendly materials like non-toxic preservatives, stains, paints and cleaners in your yard.
A beautifully designed landscape will not only enhance your home’s curb appeal, but it can also add significantly to its value. It is important to plan ahead and have a clear vision of what you want to accomplish with your outdoor space before beginning the process of renovation or build.
5. Get Creative
Designing your landscape can take a lot of work, especially when you’re starting from scratch. Many homeowners who attempt to create their own yard without any kind of plan end up dissatisfied with the results. This is because all components of the yard must coordinate and a plan provides a framework from which to proceed.
Getting creative in your landscape design can be fun and make the whole experience more enjoyable. For example, using decorative lawn ornaments like driftwood and animal sculptures can add an interesting element to your garden or landscape without requiring much maintenance. These decorations can be a great way to bring your landscaping ideas to life and make your yard feel more finished.
It’s also important to be creative with the plants and hardscape features in your yard. Instead of planting a simple row of nondescript bushes along the front of your home, consider framing your house with a mix of shrubs and trees to give your property depth and appeal. This also gives you a chance to showcase your greenery and flowers throughout the different growing seasons.
The topography of your site should be taken into account as you design your yard, too. For instance, if your soil is extremely sandy, you may want to include more grass in your landscape to provide a more lush and comfortable feel. Likewise, if your landscape is on a slope, you’ll want to ensure that the water drains away from your home and into other areas of the garden.
Another thing to keep in mind is that your landscape will require regular care, including the removal of pests. This includes insects such as ants and spiders, as well as larger mammals like deer and alligators (depending on where you live). In addition to these pests, it’s also good to consider natural predators that can help control the population of unwanted pests.