Have you ever dreamed of turning your yard into a beautiful oasis? If so, planning your vision before jumping into a landscaping project is essential.
This will help you stay on track and avoid costly mistakes. Here are some tips for planning your dream landscape:
Know What You Want
When it comes to dream landscape designs, homeowners often become overwhelmed by their options. They might be so hung up on a specific material (like a countertop color for an outdoor kitchen) that they put the entire project on hold, delaying the outcome.
To avoid this, you must decide what you want from your landscaping and how to use it. To help, start by creating a base map of your property. Then draw blobby areas on it, representing different things you’d like to do in your yard, such as screening the view of your neighbor’s home or adding a pathway, patio, and flowerbed. Label each bubble with its intended purpose and refer to it throughout the design process. Using it will prevent you from wasting time and money on a concept that doesn’t align with your goals.
Set a Budget
When working on your dream landscape designs, keeping your budget in mind is essential. You may be surprised that many features you’ve been daydreaming about can be affordable with creativity and conservative budgeting.
Start by determining how you’ll use your yard and what improvements are most important. For example, you could consider adding a pool or outdoor kitchen if you love entertaining guests.
From there, you can start putting your dream plans to paper. If you’re struggling to develop ideas, ask for help from a professional landscaping installation Memphis, TN company that can inspire. They’ll also be able to offer tips on how you can save money without compromising your final design.
Pick the Right Plants
Choosing the right plants is an essential element in dream landscape planning. There are endless possibilities for trees, shrubs, grasses, and flowers, but narrowing them down can be difficult. Many plants are sensitive to sunlight exposure, so knowing how much sun a location receives during different times is essential.
Some plants need shade, while others can tolerate full sun. It’s also essential to consider mature plant size when selecting a tree since this will impact the surrounding landscape.
Additionally, many plants attract pests like deer and rodents, so selecting plants resistant to these pests is essential. Lastly, consider using resource-efficient plants requiring less water, fertilizers, and pesticides.
Manage Your Expectations
If you have unrealistic expectations for your landscape project, you may encounter many obstacles. This is one of the biggest reasons we see projects need to catch up.
Getting hung up on a particular aspect of your design is easy, but you must compromise and work with what you have available. Aesthetics should never be sacrificed, but sometimes ideas aren’t practical for your yard or lifestyle.
To avoid getting frustrated, ensure you’re working with a reliable and experienced landscape designer. They can guide you through the process and help you achieve your dream. For the best results, plan your landscaping in the winter when it is most comfortable to work outdoors, and there is less pressure on decision-making.
Take Care of Your Yard
Your dream landscape will only be a reality with ongoing maintenance. Ensure you keep up with your watering schedule and regularly remove any weeds or fallen leaves that may have developed.
If you are a new homeowner, resist the temptation to put your stamp on your landscape too quickly. Learning about your yard’s soil, sun, and shade patterns and what works and doesn’t work on your property takes time.
Take a notebook outside and walk around your yard like a stranger, objectively evaluating what it offers and lacks. Sketch a diagram of what you want to change and prioritize what is most important. Consider a service area, ideally located closest to your back door for convenience (this could be where you store your grill and trash cans). Think about defining areas within the landscape with barriers or implied barriers using plants.
