Helping homeowners create beautiful and functional outdoor spaces
Landscaping How-To Tips
Start with a plan: Sketch your yard, identify property boundaries, and note sun patterns, shade areas, drainage slopes, and soil types. A good plan prevents wasted effort and money.
Soil prep: Test your soil pH and nutrient levels. Amend with compost, sand, or organic matter to improve drainage and fertility. Healthy soil is the foundation of healthy plants.
Layer plants: Create visual depth by arranging tall shrubs or trees at the back, mid-height plants in the middle, and smaller flowers in the front. This maximizes visibility and adds texture.
Mulching: Apply 2–3 inches of mulch around plants to conserve water, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Avoid piling mulch against stems or trunks.
Water wisely: Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses to deliver water directly to plant roots, reducing evaporation. Water early in the morning to minimize disease.
Ideas for Landscape Installations
Garden Beds: Design flower beds with a mix of perennials for long-term color and annuals for seasonal brightness. Incorporate edging to define borders.
Pathways: Create walkways using gravel, stepping stones, or pavers. They improve navigation and give structure to your yard.
Outdoor Lighting: Add solar-powered or low-voltage lights to highlight trees, walkways, and patios. Lighting improves safety and sets mood.
Water Features: Install a fountain, pond, or small waterfall to create a calming focal point. Running water attracts birds and adds tranquility.
Outdoor Living Spaces: Build patios, pergolas, or fire pits for relaxation and entertainment. Furnish with weather-resistant seating for comfort.
Basic Landscaping Terms
Annual: A plant that completes its life cycle in one growing season, often producing bright seasonal color.
Perennial: A plant that lives for several years, blooming season after season.
Hardscape: Non-plant elements like patios, walls, and walkways.
Softscape: Living elements like trees, shrubs, flowers, and grass.
Xeriscaping: Landscaping designed to minimize irrigation by using drought-resistant plants.
Evergreen: Plants that keep their foliage year-round.
Deciduous: Plants that lose their leaves in fall and regrow in spring.