Landscaping | The Common Touch

Landscape Your Garden While Keeping Expenses Low

Tree ferns, probably Dicksonia antarctica, gro...

Image via Wikipedia

Building the perfect yard can be fun and exciting, but it can also be expensive. If you don’t crunch some numbers before you start your landscaping project, you could end up spending hundreds or even thousands more than you planned. Fortunately, there are some ways you can build a beautiful landscape in your yard without paying too much.

Ask Your City Government
In many of the major cities in the United States, city governments will just give plants to homeowners in exchange for planting them and maintaining them. You can plant these trees in your yard and improve the overall curb appeal of your home. Many cities do this as a way to help improve the overall appearance of the neighborhoods and the city as a whole.

Do It in Phases
If you have a lot of landscaping to do around your yard, don’t plan to do it all at once. This can make you feel overwhelmed and you could spend money unnecessarily in your frustration to get the job done. Instead, do little parts at a time. Start with the perimeter around your home and work out from there. By doing the project in phases, you can pay as you go with your Reach card and lessen the stress on yourself of getting a huge job done on a tight budget and schedule.

Start with Small Plants
Larger plants that have been growing for awhile often cost more than the smaller plants of the same variety. Instead of investing in the plants that have grown, start with smaller plants and maintain them yourself. You’ll feel a sense of accomplishment when they grow throughout the years.

Following these simple suggestions will help you save money on your landscaping project. Be sure to have a plan and shop around and you’ll be on your way to a beautiful yard without spending too much.

Some Easy Landscaping Tips

Image via Wikipedia

The look of a yard can make the difference between a beautiful home and one that looks run-down and uncared for. While many people can pay to have their yards professionally landscaped not everyone can. There is also a large percentage of people who like doing things for themselves. Landscaping can be done without costing a lot of money by homeowners themselves.

Many of the following tips can be used for both backyard as well as the front yard. When it comes to front yard, curb appeal is a big part of any landscaping project. For the backyard, privacy tends to be paramount.

Decide on the Area to be Landscaped

This will determine how much money should be budgeted as well as the time that may be required. The area will also dictate what design to used. Some landscaping designs are better suited for large land space while others are ideal for small areas.

Choose plants that strive in different seasons

Since there are plants that thrive and bloom at various times of the year, it makes sense to choose a mixture of such plants. This way, your yard will be looking good all year round. Granted, during summer and spring there will definitely be more color.

Choose a Design Style

Hedging and picket fences can be used to create a private area on your lawn or backyard. Flowerbeds can be round, square or any shape you desire. The design of flowerbeds will be more suited to some of plants more than others.

Taking Care of Your Yard

Once your project is done, the work is not over. You will need to put a maintenance plan in place. The area has to be cared for so that it does not become overran with weeds and return to a state of disarray.

Landscaping is one of those projects that you can see the effect of your labor instantly. While some plants may take a while to come in, the design of flowerbeds and walkways literally come alive under your hands. For many homeowners this is one of the most pleasurable aspects of home ownership.