Garden and Flowers

Most of us want to landscape our backyard or an unused space in our yard but most of the times you don’t know how and shere to start. To some, it might be fraustrating or overwhelming. Here are some guides and tips from a landscape designer for transforming any spot of your yard into a paradise garden.

Step 1:  Make a priority list.
Divide your lawn into sections and make a priority list. Organization is the key to a successful landscape. And it makes the process a little more bearable, too.

Step 2:  Determine a budget.
It’s time to create a budget and stick to it! This might seem tedious, but in the long run, you’ll be glad you did. Consider which plants you might want, what materials you need to hardscape (which include sidewalks, patios and fences) and decide if you want to hire an outside crew to help with the big jobs. If hiring a crew for the entire project is out of your budget, you can do some of the planting yourself, or plan to transform your landscape in phases.

Step 3:  Get a plan on paper.
Decide which areas will be turf, patios, walkways, planting beds, etc. You can do this on your own or hire a landscape designer. He or she can assist with plant selection and work with a landscape crew to take the proper measurements.

Step 4:  Identify problem areas.
Every yard is not created equal, so you must tailor your plans to accommodate your needs. Look out for erosion areas and poor soil. This is the best time to correct drainage issues and steep slopes. After all, you wouldn’t want your plants to wash away. A landscape designer can help you identify these problem areas.

Step 5:  Mark underground wires.
Before planting, it is important to mark all of your underground wires and cables and make sure that you avoid them.

Step 6:  Install the hardscapes.
After creating an overall plan, install the hardscapes, which are the foundation of the garden. You can pick limestone, brick or whatever material seems to complement your home. Installing the hardscapes is the most expensive and labor-intensive part of the process, but when you consider the results, they are well worth the effort.

Step 7:  Select plants.
Consider the lighting, soil conditions and style of your house when choosing plants. You want to make sure that your garden matches your house. If you want some privacy, a boxwood such as ‘Green Mountain’ can create an intimate seating area. For those on a tight budget, transplant and divide what you already have–a very cost-efficient solution.

Step 8: Plant
If you have the time and the muscle, planting can be the easiest part. With shrubs and trees, use native soil. For perennials, it’s always best to amend the soil with compost and manure. Don’t forget: adding a thick layer of mulch after planting will keep out the weeds and retain moisture for the plants.

Step 9: Lay sod
The next step is laying the sod: be sure to amend and level the soil first. Then water your sod consistently. And remember, no foot traffic for a couple of weeks.

Step 10: Final step
Relax and enjoy your new beautifully landscaped garden. And remember it only stays beautiful if you take care of it, so be sure to maintain your garden.