I was moving into a new house during college,when a sweet little old lady approached me. I was thinking she would welcome me with some fresh cookies, or ask me to lift something heavy (like most old ladies do). But instead, she told me that my tree was too close to the sidewalk and that it needed to be removed. She then went on to lecture me about the weeds that were growing in my yard and where I could buy some weed-be-gone. What a welcome, huh?
People take pride in their lawn. After weeding and chopping down the tree (she watched me through the window), I decided I wanted to do some landscaping. When I started landscaping, I had no idea what I was doing. It was a disaster! So to help all of you beginners, I made a list consisting of everything I should have thought about before starting my first project.
Brainstorm First!
#1 Make a list of wants. Do you want to relax by yourself? Or entertain others? This might help you decide between a Koi pond or a huge fire pit in your backyard. You can also aim to make your landscape improve your yard, like blocking the sun, or draining an easily flooded portion of your yard.
#2 Design and draw things out. A plan can help with quotes and execution.
#3 Look around your neighborhood. More than likely the flowers your neighbors chose will work in your yard too.
#4 Look to Pinterest for ideas…..(come on, like you haven’t already). Pinterest is full, and I mean FULL, of landscape designs and projects.
Budget Next!
#5 Think about size and price of your project. The larger the area the more mulch, rock, or plants you will need to fill it. Little plants and rocks can add up to a large total at the checkout line.
#6 Get quotes from local landscape suppliers to help with your budget, they are more than happy to help. Quotes will ensure your budget is accurate.
#7 Start small and add on to your yard throughout the years. Rome wasn’t built in a day! An enormous project may put a strain on your wallet and your free time.
#8 Look for cheaper alternatives, if you really like a design, stone, or plant, there are often cheaper options that may look similar. Landscape suppliers have recycled material which can benefit the environment and your wallet.
Double Check!
#9 Avoid planting large trees or bushes unless you have a large yard – trees will look differently and crowd in a couple years. Trust me.
#10 Make sure your flower bed/garden is away from your house. Your house will do more harm than good to your plants, like blocking sun.
# 11 Learn about plants that you aren’t familiar with beforehand so you can choose the best fit for your yard. It doesn’t take too much time to Google something!
Now that you’ve considered the basics, click here to get some simple starter ideas. I hope this guide helped you out. Happy landscaping!
