New At Landscaping? Try These Tips!
It can be fun to dream about the yard you'd have if you knew how to landscape. Actually creating that yard is even more fun. Don't limit yourself to what you can afford to pay a professional landscaper to do. If you learn some simple techniques, you too can create the landscape you've always dreamed of.
If you are tired of seeing your beloved plants trampled by visitors, consider adding a footpath. Use brick, stone or wood to create a path that extends well beyond the boundaries of the area you wish to protect. A well-defined, wide path makes it clear which areas are safe as well as, which should not be trodden upon.
Try talking to a pro before you start working on your landscape. You might not need a landscape designer or architect to draft your whole project, but for under $100, a consultation that lasts about an hour can be well worth the money if it prevents you from making costly mistakes later on.
If you plan on doing a major landscaping overhaul yourself, look into first talking it over with a professional landscaper or architect. Professionals can often provide tips that can save you time and money. An hour-long meeting with a professional averages about $75, which is a small price to pay for the insight and money-saving advice they can provide.
Speak often with your neighbors and friends about your landscaping plans. They may also want to do work on their yards, and you may be able to go in together to rent things like chippers or tillers. By sharing this equipment, you will all save money and be able to get your work done.
If you have something that is unsightly on your property, remember that landscaping can be a great way to hide it. You can hide your garbage cans with tall hedges, or a telephone pole with a large tree. Take any eyesores into consideration when you are planning out your landscaping project, then work to plant things that make those areas more attractive.
If you are planning to hire a landscape professional to design your yard, be certain to get a price quote in writing. Many landscapers under-bid a project to get the business and then find they have to ask for more money. If the quote is in writing, they must honor their original price.
If you are adding archways, or pergolas to your yard, make sure that they are tall enough. A good average height is 8 feet. If you make an archway too short, people will not be able to walk underneath it and enjoy it. If you make it too tall, it can look overwhelming, and out of place.
When thinking about your new landscape design, you have to consider the amount of available sunlight, and pick the proper plants for this exposure. If you do not do this, you plants will either wither because they receive too much sun, or they will just remain stagnant or die because they do not receive enough.
Use an edger on your beds if you want your lawn to look well taken care of. An added bonus is that edging could raise the value of your residence as well; studies have shown that just by curving the edges on your flower beds, your property value could go up by one percent.
In terms of purchasing supplies, it does not always pay to get whatever costs the least. Sometimes, it is worth paying a bit extra for a knowledgeable staff or a better return policy. Know the pros and cons of each product before you buy, based on price. When it's all said and done, a little extra may save you a lot.
When planning your landscape, make sure every plant has enough room to grow. When you buy your plants, find out how much they are going to grow. And even if you keep trimming your plants, remember that their root system will expand under the ground. Ask for advice when you buy a plant.
In today's economy, there are not a lot of us who can afford to landscape their entire yard all at one time. One economical way to a beautifully landscaped property is to divide your landscaping project into phases. By doing the project in stages, you will not have to take out a loan or use your credit cards to up-grade your lawn. With dividing the project in phases,you can also purchase perennial plants late in the growing season, when the cost is lower.
So what do you think after reading this article? Hopefully, you've discovered landscaping isn't nearly as difficult as you thought and that it's really a lot more fun. If you're eager to get started, that's great! Go out there and start creating the yard you want. When someone asks you how you did it, pass this article on, so that they can enjoy landscaping their own yard, too.