You promised yourself that this would be the year to transform your landscaping. And guess what? Spring is here! The time is now. Here are some excellent tips to help you begin taken directly from our landscape guide. Click here to sign up for your free guide now.
TIPS FOR GETTING STARTED
The three things that matter most in landscaping? Planning, planning and more planning. Having a well thought out landscape plan is the first and most important step in creating a truly beautiful landscape. Following are some points to consider before you start.
STUDY THE SUN AND WIND PATTERNS. You might be considering placing a patio on the west side of the house, however, the afternoon sun will be intense, which means dinnertime in August won’t be relaxing, just hot.
MAKE A LIST OF YOUR NEEDS AND WANTS. Are your kids in need of play space? Have you always wanted a vegetable garden? Is a patio a place where your family will actually spend time together? It’s also good to do some rough sketches of your yard with thoughts of where you might want to place things.
CONSIDER A FOCAL POINT. A good landscape design has a focal point – or even a series of focal points. This may be a water feature, an exotic plant, a beautiful tree, or well-manicured shrubs. The point is to have something to draw your eye in and move you through the landscape.
ACCENTUATE PROPERTY FEATURES. Landscape, from an artistic perspective, can accentuate the best attributes of the property, as well as diminish or hide flaws. By using elevation changes, lighting, color and scale, you can redirect the eye to the more pleasing components of the property, creating a pleasing visual experience.
THINK “VARIATION.” Pacing and scale give your yard a pulled-together look. But there should be variations in color, size and shape. Paths can also lead people through the space. Repeat some elements, whether a common color, shape or type of plant, so there’s a sense of continuity. Also, try adding an element that’s different and will stand out from the landscape.
Check back soon to read about the next step in the process: TAKE INVENTORY.
