Suggestions For Great Backyard Landscaping

one enjoys relaxing outdoors on a nice summer day.snow and heavy winds.
However, if your backyard needs some work, youCreating a border flower bed
may not be enjoying it to the fullest. You may beThe biggest challenge when creating a border flower
overwhelmed by the size of the landscaping project,bed is choosing perennials that will complement each
especially is you try to do it all in one growing season.other in both color and height. With so many plants
The solution? Sectional landscaping.to choose from, you can really let your imagination
If you determine sections for your backyard andrun wild. However, consider planting an uneven
remodel only one section each year, you will be ablenumber of the same plant for more visual appeal.
to revamp your whole yard in a few years withoutLeave some space between the various perennials
breaking your back or spending a fortune. Sectionalyou choose for more impact. Do not overcrowd the
landscaping is particularly useful if you care on aplants and they need air and light to grow. Now
budget. It will be easier to absorb $1,000 every yearwould be a good time to pick up a gardening book
for 3 or 4 years than trying to spend $4,000-5,000 inlistings various perennials to help you make your
one season.selection. You can also visit your local nursery and
The most important element of landscaping in sectionspeak to the staff. They will be happy to help you.
is the overall plan. Without one, you backyard willIsland Bed
look like a patchwork of landscaping styles. Begin byTo create an instant focal point in any backyard, an
sketching the existing permanent structures such asisland bed is a great idea. It can planted in the middle
house, shed, deck, pool and trees. Now is a goodof the yard or off to one side and is surrounded by
time to take inventory of the existing plants anda sea of grass. An island bed has the most impact in
shrubs and decide which ones will not be part of thea large yard. The bed itself can vary in shape and
new landscape plan.side. Use your imagination! Just remember to scale
Play around with ideas. Make copies of your sketchthe plants and place the tallest in the center and
and experiment with various options. Look for ideasdecrease the height as you make your way towards
in magazine or visit neighboring gardens. At thisthe edges.
stage, the only limit is your imagination. If you haveWater Feature
frequent backyard parties or family barbecues,What could be more relaxing than the still waters of
keeping the layout of the yard open will work best.a beautiful pond or the gentle splashing of a
However, if you have a lot of space or don’twaterfall? Building a pond is easier than you may
use the backyard much, incorporating an island bed,think. There are a number of preformed liners
pond or walkways will create nice drama. Consideravailable on the market. Alternatively, if you want a
your lifestyle and the way you normally use yourpond with a specific shape, you can dig and build it
backyard and plan accordingly.yourself. Look online or at the bookstore for how to
Here are some landscaping ideas to get you started.guides.
Use plants as screensBefore you go out and and buy hundreds of dollars
This is particularly useful if your backyard is notworth of plants, you should visit a garden center for
fenced in. You may want to consider lining the edgesome advice on soil preparation and drainage. Bring a
of the yard with hawthorn, juniper, cedar, etc tocopy of your landscaping plan with you and maybe a
create privacy but also to provide a beautifulsample of your soil. You may also wish to bring extra
backdrop for your future flower beds. A screen ofcash in case you get carried away!
evergreen will also protect your yard from drifting