Landscaping for Beginners

1. Budget and Plan

Before you even step foot in your yard, do a little research. Browse Pinterest or other online sources to get some ideas and find landscape designs that you like. If there are any particular plants that you want to use, learn a little about how they grow best. Each plant has different needs when it comes to water, sunlight, type of soil, etc., so you want to choose plants that will work well with the environment that you will be planting them in. Also, do some research on plants that are native to the area you live in. Plants that grow naturally in the area will be a lot easier for you to maintain. It’s also a good idea to write down the measurements of the area you will be landscaping and do a hand drawing of your plan in order to help you know how much you will need of everything once you get to the store.

In addition to creating a plan, set a budget. Landscaping can get expensive very quickly if you’re not careful, so make sure you set a budget that matches your vision. Once you’ve chosen the plants that you would like to use, check out the website of the store you will be purchasing from to make sure that everything you want fits into your budget. If there’s something that you really like, but it’s just too expensive, try to find something with a similar look at a more affordable price point. In addition, shop around a bit. Prices may vary from store to store, so make sure you find the best price!

2. Think About Color, Height, and Texture

To create a cohesive design, you will need to consider several factors. First, choose a color scheme. You may want to choose a monochromatic scheme where all of the flowers or plants are similar in color. Or maybe you want to choose colors that compliment each other. Choose a color scheme that you like, but just be careful not to put too many different colors in one space in order to avoid it looking too busy or messy.

You’ll also need to think about the height of your plants both when you plant them, and how tall they will eventually grow. You, of course, will not want to put something that is going to grow a few feet tall in front of something that is just a ground covering, because the taller plant will block the shorter one and you’ll never see it! Also, try to choose plants of varying height to create some interest (just make sure you arrange them so that they won’t be blocking each other.) Areas with plants in several different heights will be much more pleasing to the eye than an area where everything is the same height.

Third, you’ll want to think about texture. Like height, choosing plants in a variety of textures will create interest. Use plants with both small and large leaves. Include some type of grass and maybe include both trees as well as more delicate, flowering plants. Having multiple textures will really help draw people into the design and make it look more visually appealing.

3. Edge Flower Beds and Paths

What is the best way to really make your landscaping look clean and precise? Edging. There are so many different things that you can use to edge your flower beds and paths! Brick, large rocks, stone pavers, wood, even simple plastic edging – any of these will work, so just choose the look you like best! Edging your flower beds and paths has several benefits. One of the biggest benefits is that it makes it easier for you to mow your lawn without accidentally mowing your plants as well. It will also help keep the weeds from creeping into the edges of your bed or path. Plus, it just makes the whole area look organized, clean, and well maintained.

4. Make Your Whole Yard Eye-Catching

Typically the first place that people landscape is along the front of their house. Of course, there is a good reason for this since it is generally one of the first things people see when they look at your house. But, no one wants to see beautiful landscaping around the house, with the rest of the yard looking bare and boring. An easy fix to this is to create small beds around your trees, lamp posts, or even in front of an air conditioning unit to help block it from view. Use the same brick or pavers that you lined your other beds and paths with, and create a retaining wall around the tree. Plant flowers or even some simple greenery around it to add a bit of color, but make sure you pick items that will do well with a little more shade. If you’re trying to camouflage an air conditioning unit, consider putting a small fence around it, then landscaping around the fence.

5. Spruce Up Your Mailbox

Another great way to add interest and create some curb appeal is to give your mailbox a makeover. Start by either replacing the mailbox or giving it a fresh coat of paint if the existing one is still in good condition. Make sure that your house number is neatly and clearly marked on the mailbox. For a really clean look, edge out the area around it and fill it with mulch or gravel, then plant some medium height plants and flowers around it. If you want to use something taller, make sure you place them toward the back so that they don’t block the mailbox as they grow. Since it’s a small area, keep it simple to avoid it looking messy.

6. Light Up the Night

Many people don’t really think about how their house looks at night, but adding lighting to your landscaping can really help your home look more luxurious and welcoming. Use lighting to line a pathway, highlight a water feature or a specific plant that you want to draw attention to, or to simply create some ambiance. There are a wide variety of outdoor lights available on the market, and the way you arrange them (up lighting, downlighting, etc.) really just depends on the look and mood that you are trying to create. Before adding lighting to your landscaping, we suggest doing a bit of research to come up with a lighting plan that will work best for you and your yard.

7. Know When to Water

You’ve got everything planted, now you just have to keep them alive. Easier said than done, we know. We all know that plants (especially freshly planted ones) need water to survive, but knowing how much and when to water is a mystery to some of us. When to water is the easy part. Avoid watering during the middle of the day, especially if you live in an area that gets extremely hot. Instead, water your plants early in the morning or later in the evening when the sun has started to set. Watering during the cooler parts of the day will help prevent evaporation, and in turn, keep your plants hydrated longer.

Knowing how much to water can be a bit harder to determine, as there are several factors that you need to consider. You’ll want to think about the type of plant, the temperature, and the amount of light the plant gets. Make sure you read and take note of the plant tag that comes with the plant when you purchase it because it will be a huge help in determining how much and how often to water. Just remember, you don’t want to underwater, but you also don’t want to drown your plants. Balance is key!

8. Keep Your Lawn Lush

Now you know a little bit about landscaping, but we can’t forget the grass. What good does great landscaping do if you don’t have a beautiful lawn to match?! One of the biggest mistakes people make is mowing too much. When it’s brutally hot and there hasn’t been much rain, nothing will kill your grass faster than mowing too often or cutting it too short. In order to keep your yard nice and green, try to water it regularly, and only mow the top 1/3 of the grass. Also, make sure you use a weed control product, and vary your route each time you mow in order to keep it mowed evenly.