A beautifully landscaped yard can become extremely costly to
a new homeowner, but there are many ways to create that gorgeous yard without
emptying your pocket.
The first things to consider when planning out your
landscape projects is maintenance, accessibility, and service. Service? What
does that mean you're wondering. Most homeowners fail to consider both
maintenance and service in their planning stage. For example, if the plan is to
eventually install a deck, shed, a hot tub, or pool, you must have
accessibility to the back yard. One side of your property should be your
serviceable access to the back yard. This is the area where you can access your
yard with potential bobcat, drive a truck into the yard (if possible). So when planning that landscaping project
remember to include - how do I get into the back yard with all these materials.
Remember the utility companies need to access your yard once in awhile, you
don't want them having to dig up your beautiful plants so they can access their
equipment. Planning for every possible contingency is key to successful
planting of a landscape. Just because you like something in another yard, or in
that magazine layout, doesn't mean it will work in your yard. Planting is an
art, so become an educated artist.
Second thing to consider is your time and availability in
caring for your newly landscaped yard. Do you have a minimum of two hours a day
to weed? To prune or reshape those bushes you installed? Do you have the back
to do the hard, heavy back breaking work to maintain it? If not, think low
maintenance care.
When planning a landscaping project, think in terms of
phases, rather than have to do it all at once. First, take a long walk around
your property, both front and back with a clipboard, paper and pen. Note what
you like or don't like. Is there a problem area that is causing no grass to
grow? Weeds taking over a once tended flower garden? Are there rocks or boulder's
in once corner that would be hard to get rid of? Note the various colors
already existing in your gardens, if there are gardens on the property. For
older properties, is there a foot path, walkway, arbor, patio, or even a shed
on the property? Do you want to keep them, or get rid of them? These are all
decisions you must consider before starting your project. Can you enhance what
you already have to give it a fresh new look? Or, are you going to break the
bank by doing it all at once? Remember you're not made of money like those rich
folks who live in mcMansions. The most beautiful garden in the world wasn't
created in one weekend, they were planned out over years, then planted and
cultivated with love.
Now let's start planning your
landscape project.
If you live in an older development, you've already got
pre-existing trees and shrubs. Unless they're dying, consider building them into
your plan until you can afford to replace them with something else. If you've
moved into a newly developed home, then you must start from scratch and build
from there.
You can save money if you do it yourself, so think young
trees, plants, and bushes. Consider the growing pattern of these young plants and
plant accordingly. Never plant small trees, or bushes right next to the house
or a fence; you'll regret it in the future. You must give them space to grow. You
wouldn't put one outfit on your child and expect that outfit to fit him or her
for the rest of their lives, now would you? Same goes for a young tree. Be sure
to check the growing width, height, and span for every tree you wish to plant;
then plant accordingly.
If you can't afford a landscape designer to create your plan
of action, then get to the library and check out every book they have on
landscape design. As with anything in life, education is the key to your
success, so educate yourself on how to properly design a landscape that will
bring you harmony and entertaining pleasure.
In order to understand the purpose of planning, check out this video from how Thomas Jefferson, planned his gardens at Monticello.
Landscaping on a Budget Part 2: Planning that Space
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