If you are daunted by the prospect of landscaping any available space around your home then the following hints will banish your fears. Following these guidelines will help you create and turn featureless lawns and rocky spots into a botanical Eden

A. Identify the precise area that requires the first makeover followed by other sections that can be taken up afterwards.

B. Draw a rough sketch of the picture you have in mind. Enlist the help of a professional designer if you so desire; remember measurements are important for accurate pricing. You can always minimize expenses by doing some planting yourself and this can even be attempted in stages.

C. Fix a budget. List all materials, plants and garden props you might require to bring your sketch into reality. Include hardscape items like walkways, benches, patios, fences and sidewalks. If you have a pond in mind, then plan accordingly. Against each item note the price and drop/add to balance and keep the initial budgeted amount from escalating.

D. The terrain needs to be studied for possible drawbacks like poor drainage, steep slopes that encourage topsoil erosion and expose the roots of plants also rocky areas that do not support lush growth. House plans will show the path of cables and electric wires in the area undergoing landscaping and these also require to be kept in mind.

E. Start by laying the hardscape features. Materials that match your home should be used. This is the physically tough part and brick, stone and rocks might need to be cemented in or relocated. Fences, benches and patios may also require to be built.

F. Next identify the plants, shrubs or trees that you want. Base this choice on points like direction and amount of sunlight, soil quality and nature, position Vis a Vis the style of construction and layout of your home. Using existing greenery by dividing the roots and multiplying the plants will lower expenses.

G. If you plan on doing the planting yourself, put in the trees and shrubs that will prosper in the native soil of your garden. For yearlong varieties, the soil needs an ample stock of rich manure and compost. As always, mulch keeps evaporation and drying to a minimum while discouraging weeds.

H. Lastly, before you put the turf make sure the base soil is leveled. Then, lay the sod and water this regularly. A 'keep off the grass sign' will ensure that the grass is not trampled upon and good lawn sections can grow.

If you like Landscaping....These pages might also interest you:

Allium Directory, Amaryllis Directory, Begonia Directory, Crocus Directory, Daffodils Directory, Dahlia Directory, Hyacinth Directory, Iris Directory, Lily Directory, Tulip Directory

Also See:

Allergy Free Garden Design, Choosing Color Combo,Desinging with Seasonal Flowers, Design an English Garden, Garden Design Project, Gardening in Small Spaces, Complete Garden Makeover, Napa Garden Design, Favorite Plants for Landscaping, Perk Up a Flower Bed, Natural Garden Design, Using Pathways in a Garden, Design a White Wonder Gardens, Your Own Outdoor Coffee House, Designing to reduce noise, Designer Lanscape ideas, Do it Yourself Lanscape Design, Garden Design Foundations, Keeping Your Garden Size in Check, Gardening With Little Space, Outside the Box Landscape Design, Side Yard Design Ideas, Stone Patio Design, Theme Gardening, Trends in Landscape Design, What to Plant on a Slope, Winning Landscape Design