Maybe you just purchased a new home, or perhaps you want to add a new twist to your current home.  Whatever the case, landscaping is great way to add curb appeal and value – not to mention it’s lovely to look at and adds a lot of charm!  And to help you get started in the process, here are a few tips.

1. Do Some Research

Before you start tearing up the grass and sticking random plants into the ground in a haphazard fashion, read some books or browse some websites or even drive around to check out other yards. Take a look at some gardening magazines and get an idea of the kinds of plants you like. Visit places like a local botanical garden oran art gallery for inspiration. You’ll also want to keep your climate in mind.  If you want to hire a landscape designer, you will still want to have an idea of what you want done. If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, then research is even more important. Also, be sure to watch your yard(s) for a couple days and take note of how much sunlight each area gets and how you’ll need to program your watering system.

2. Create a Drawing

If you were going to update your bathroom or add an addition to your home, you’d want to draw out the new way things would be, right? The same should be true for any landscaping improvements. Take into account the amount of space you have available for improvements and change – this is where you’ll need to know where the sunlight hits throughout the day. Draw the design out on paper and label the plants you would like to see in the various areas.

3. Check Your Soil

Oftentimes, your local gardening company or home improvement stores can tell you if your soil is healthy and if it’s not, they can usually give suggestions of how to improve it.  It’s not uncommon during a home’s construction for the soil to get some damage.  With trucks and tractors driving all over the property, the soil can get really compacted making it difficult for planting. Even if the soil is decent, you may want to consider using fertilizers or additives to make it really healthy and give your new grass and plants the best possible start. It will be worth it in the long run.  Plus, your thriving plants will thank you!

4. Strive for Balance

You don’t want a giant maple tree right smack dab in the middle of your front lawn, right?  Or a large lilac bush blocking the view from the front windows?  Or a fruit tree that grows over your cover deck and drops apples that are hard to clean up?  These are all things you definitely want to consider when planning your new yard.  Symmetry is important for visual stimulation.  

We tend to put a lot of focus on the insides of our homes because that’s where we spend our time.  Don’t forget to show a little love to the exterior, too!