on Yahoo! Plan first. This is the cardinal rule of any renovation project, but it is frequently ignored when it comes to landscape design. The best way to start your plan is by creating a detailed drawing of the whole project, even if you intend to implement it over several years. In simple cases, a handmade sketch is sufficient and certainly much better than no plan at all.
Work with what you have. In most cases you cannot change the basic characteristics of your property. Is it mostly in the shade? What’s the terrain? How is the soil? Is it suitable for the plants you would like to have? It is often much easier to use and enhance the existing features of your property rather than trying to change it completely. This can also make the landscape look more natural.
Think about the functionality. The planning and design stage is the time to think about everything you want in your yard. Do you want a swimming pool, a deck or a gazebo for summer barbeques? Do you want a bench near your front door? Do you need an area for your dog to run around? What about a walkway to your side door or parking for your third car? Do you want automatic sprinklers or a shed for your garden tools? The end result will be much better if you plan all the details first, rather than just adding elements when you realize you need them later.
Don't assume you have to have a green lawn. Green turf grass is most common in front yards and backyards. Most of your neighborhood has it. However, you do not have to do what everyone else does. Alternatives to turf grass exist and are often more suitable, particularly for small or shady yards.
Don’t forget ALL the seasons. Most people select flowers that bloom in the spring and summer and forget all about the fall. And fall is a particularly long season in southern Ontario! With planning, you can make your lawn appealing in the winter and early spring. A good landscaper will design a combination of shrubs, rocks and other features that look interesting under the snow or when the snow melts during warm spells or early spring. Consult a garden specialist or landscaper to select plants that will provide vibrant colours through all the seasons
Water is essential for flowers, greenery and grass. Proper watering is the most difficult and most-often neglected part of lawn maintenance. It is especially difficult to do when you go away for vacations. Unless you have a willing and knowledgeable friend who will water your lawn regularly for you, an automatic lawn sprinkler is the best solution.
Skill and experience are required to incorporate all the factors that are important in implementing a beautiful, easy to maintain, and functional outdoor environment. Hiring a reliable professional will ease your mind of all the gardening tasks that you will face.
Ashley Palmer is a Home and Garden Expert.
Work with what you have. In most cases you cannot change the basic characteristics of your property. Is it mostly in the shade? What’s the terrain? How is the soil? Is it suitable for the plants you would like to have? It is often much easier to use and enhance the existing features of your property rather than trying to change it completely. This can also make the landscape look more natural.
Think about the functionality. The planning and design stage is the time to think about everything you want in your yard. Do you want a swimming pool, a deck or a gazebo for summer barbeques? Do you want a bench near your front door? Do you need an area for your dog to run around? What about a walkway to your side door or parking for your third car? Do you want automatic sprinklers or a shed for your garden tools? The end result will be much better if you plan all the details first, rather than just adding elements when you realize you need them later.
Don't assume you have to have a green lawn. Green turf grass is most common in front yards and backyards. Most of your neighborhood has it. However, you do not have to do what everyone else does. Alternatives to turf grass exist and are often more suitable, particularly for small or shady yards.
Don’t forget ALL the seasons. Most people select flowers that bloom in the spring and summer and forget all about the fall. And fall is a particularly long season in southern Ontario! With planning, you can make your lawn appealing in the winter and early spring. A good landscaper will design a combination of shrubs, rocks and other features that look interesting under the snow or when the snow melts during warm spells or early spring. Consult a garden specialist or landscaper to select plants that will provide vibrant colours through all the seasons
Water is essential for flowers, greenery and grass. Proper watering is the most difficult and most-often neglected part of lawn maintenance. It is especially difficult to do when you go away for vacations. Unless you have a willing and knowledgeable friend who will water your lawn regularly for you, an automatic lawn sprinkler is the best solution.
Skill and experience are required to incorporate all the factors that are important in implementing a beautiful, easy to maintain, and functional outdoor environment. Hiring a reliable professional will ease your mind of all the gardening tasks that you will face.
Ashley Palmer is a Home and Garden Expert.
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