Whether you are changing your entire yard or a portion, now is the perfect time to make your gardening or landscape design plans.
Using graph paper and a tape measure, plot to scale your entire yard or the portion you are interested in landscaping.
Add all existing structures, trees, beds, features, patio, deck, shrubs, fountains and house.
Next, pull out some inspiration photos you have saved over time or find new ones. The Internet is a great place to find your inspiration or even a friend’s with the actual bed.
Gardening magazines work well also, but searching Pinterest for gardening or landscaping ideas will likely present you with the most unique landscape design concepts, presentations and techniques.
Study your current landscape design plan and decide what to keep, what to remove and what you want to highlight.
Take a look at your inspiration photos and decide which will fit your landscape taking into consideration expense, location (sun or shade or enough room to grow) and time.
Place a sheet of tracing paper over your original plan and sketch in the new and remove the old that does not fit with your new plan.
Keep in mind sun requirements when choosing plants for a specific location. Use as many perennials as possible in order to avoid replacing each year.
With care, perennials will last many years.
Break Your New Landscape Design Plan Into Mini-Projects
It is usually best to install your hardscapes such as decks, patios and walkways first. This will avoid trampling new plantings during the building process.
Now add features like a trellis, water fountain, bench or large container for growing specimens to be highlighted. Follow this with the actual bed.
Be sure to pull soil for a soil test as the first step in preparing beds…
…and be sure to pull soil for a soil test as the first step in preparing beds.
Your soil test results will tell you what is lacking in your soil and what you have in abundance.
After you have amended your soil following your soil test recommendations it is now time to plant and enjoy your hard work.
Oh, and don’t forget the mulch to conserve moisture and help with weed control.
For a more comprehensive look into your 2018 landscape planning, feel free to CONTACT THE CRACKED POT HERE or call us to schedule a free consultation.
