Improve the curbside appeal of your home and increase your property value with garden landscaping. This exterior space is one of the first things that everyone sees upon entering your home, so make it your mission to ascertain your garden looks inviting and creates a good impression.
Thoughtful and well-planned landscaping will help you create an outdoor oasis, whether you have a tiny urban yard or a sprawling country estate. A garden provides beauty and elegance to your home while filtering the air you breathe. This beautiful yard can also extend your living space with careful furniture additions.
Even if you are a gardening newbie or a pro, transforming a small or large plot of land into a beautiful garden does not need to be stressful. By following the right guidelines, you can successfully create a beautiful outdoor space that allows you to enjoy mother nature. Having this spot will also help you appreciate your home even more.
Check out these garden landscaping ideas if you want to enjoy these benefits.
Evaluate Your Space With a Garden Landscaping Theme
When planning your garden, it is vital to assess your existing space. When you understand what you are working with, you can create a better layout. One of the main parts of the landscaping process is identifying any potential issues. Doing so allows you to prepare the right materials and avoid potential issues.
This will save you a lot of time, money, and effort in the long haul. As the famous adage goes, failing to plan is planning to fail. If you want your gardening project to succeed, get to know the potentials and limitations of your space. Ask yourself these questions:
- Do you need to remove any rubbish or unused implements?
- Does the ground need conditioning or leveling?
- Are there awkwardly placed trees that need pruning since they obstruct walkways or impede groundwork?
- Are there any existing plants like garden beds, bushes, planters, hedges, etc.?
- Do you have structures to remove or workaround with, like fences, paths, or water features?
- What is the state of your garden after a downpour (checks the need for a drainage system)?
- Is the soil fertile, or will you need to buy fortified topsoil?
Determine if You Will DIY or Work With a Professional Landscaper
You may be a planting aficionado, so morphing your yard into a well-designed garden is an exciting project for you. The key here is knowing your limitations and establishing your working budget. Planting seedlings, putting mulch, installing a small water feature, or placing garden ornaments may be easy for you to do.
However, suppose you plan for more intricate details like laying down expensive stone pavers, incorporating new walls, conducting concrete rendering, or installing fancy lights with complex electrical equipment. In that case, you need the help of a professional landscaper.
Working with a certified landscaper ascertains you get a beautiful garden that is safe for your family to enjoy. Make sure you select the following criteria for your contractor:
- With licenses and permits
- Fully insured to protect you against liability
- Has many years of experience
- Comes with an extensive landscaping portfolio
Prepare the Site for Planting
If you are gung-ho about setting up your own garden, one of the first things you must do is tend to all the weeds. You must prioritize taking out the overgrowth, or they will compete for nutrients with your garden plants. Besides, it would be a terrible waste of your resources if you do not take them out and eliminate any garden waste.
Apart from removing any visible waste, you need to use a garden pick or rake to disturb the soil and release any rubble. This requires a bit of work, but it is a crucial step you cannot miss, especially if you intend to plant flowers, herbs, or even vegetables.
Besides, large chunks of rubbles will make it difficult for your plant to grow. It will impede the roots and block drainage. Assess if this is something you are willing to do. If you are not keen on doing this “dirty work,” you are better off hiring a pro who can get the work done swiftly and seamlessly.
Work on Leveling the Ground
A leveled ground provides the necessary ingredients for a successful garden. This means sunlight, soil, and nutrients combine perfectly to create the right atmosphere for a beautiful sprawling garden. Besides, a leveled area is necessary for landscaping materials like a deck or patio.
You can easily level the ground using a rake if you have a smaller garden. You can use the teeth to break up rubble and large soil chunks. Meanwhile, the back of the rake can act as a leveler. Use it to smooth out the soil’s surface with an undulating forward and back motion. This technique works to distribute the soil evenly.
Meanwhile, if you have a larger space with compacted soil or work with a slope, you must consider professional help. They can do wonders in making things level, giving an illusion of a bigger space. Besides, putting grass on a slope is unsightly and becomes slippery when wet.
A professional landscaper artist can implement terracing if you have got a steep slope. They can make gradations, and as a result, your garden will have different levels. This design in itself looks breathtaking because it is unique.
When leveling, keep in mind that big excavations will cost you more money. First, you have a lot of soil to remove. Next, you need to put up retaining walls to ascertain that the solid does not wash away. If you are dealing with something like this, it is better to call for help to make sure that you do not upset the structure of your home. Attempting to do this solo can cause damage and create a bigger expense for you in the long run.
Work With Durable Landscaping Materials
You want to select sturdy and durable materials that will give you value for your hard-earned money. Of course, you want products that will stand the test of time. Shopping for these materials is one of the best parts of landscaping because you have a whole range of items from limestone to marble slabs.
Though performance and easy maintenance are on top of the list, you also want natural-looking implements that match the outdoor ambiance and style of your home. Consider rustic reds, earthy grays, and deep browns, as these shades work well for both contemporary and older homes.
As much as possible, your goal is to create a seamless link between your interior and exterior space. So, it is best to choose somewhat similar materials that link to the garden. You need to ensure that everything is waterproof because of the exposure to harsh environmental elements. Check out these popular examples for inspiration:
- Patio Pavers: You are spoiled for choice because there is a broad range of patio paver styles to choose from. You can opt for expensive York stone or limestone. If budget is an issue, there is the more affordable granite, brick, or concrete imitations.
- Deck: A deck area can complete your gardening landscape. If you have wood flooring in your house, you can mimic the look for your deck to create continuity. Materials like teak, oak, and timber are hardy. They will endure the wear and tear from a busy footfall in your garden. You may need to perform pressure washing now and then to maintain the deck, keeping algae and slipperiness away. Small maintenance details like this can help keep your garden fresh and clean.
- Concrete flooring: You can create a simple patio with concrete flooring. This exudes a more contemporary vibe and works well with modern homes. Make sure that your concrete exterior floors have proper weatherproofing and drainage.
- Garden gravel: This is an affordable material that works well for most garden settings. It is super versatile because you can use it to create edges on your patio. You can also use it to set a themed space or create a beautiful gravel path that serves as a focal point.
- Granite sets: This stone has beautiful imprinting that works elegantly as an embellishment. It is a durable material that will last for years to come.
Consider the “Wetness” Factor in Your Plants
A garden will inevitably get wet when there is a downpour or when you water the plants. Thus, controlling dampness is one of the things that you must prepare for. Usually, working the ground will increase the drainage. Adding stone pavers will also do wonders in dispersing water as well.
One vital consideration is to ensure that your topsoil level does not surpass the damp-course leading to your home or other garden buildings like a gazebo. This will help you avoid having damp interior areas. As a rule of thumb, your topsoil must be six inches below, and this includes all materials like gravel, pavers, etc.
If your garden has always had water logging problems, you must talk to a professional to add drains. Otherwise, your garden will always be mush, and your investment in making it beautiful will go to waste.
Identify Which Plants You Want to Grow
This is the heart of garden landscaping. Take time to list which plants, shrubs, or trees you want. The types of plants you pick will hedge your overall garden design. Every homeowner has a look they want to create and exude for their outdoor space.
For example, if you are feeling romantic, putting rose bushes and a trellis for crawling vines with drapes creates a whimsical feel. But bear in mind, the kind of plants that will thrive in your garden rests on your soil quality. For best results, you must include a mix of flowers and trees. Incorporate evergreen shrubs and other perennials because these hardy plants assure you have greenery even in the thick of winter.
Consider Implementing Garden Zones
Implementing a garden zone is one of the best ideas to help you maximize your plot of land. It will also pave the way for easier maintenance. This strategy is helpful, especially if you have a limited area.
To illustrate, you can have a zone for your mini herb garden where you will get all your kitchen ingredients. Likewise, you can have an area for your BBQ pit or outdoor living space where you can host summer parties. Here is how you can delineate and make zones easily in your garden:
Use a Different Floor Surface
You can readily differentiate between your garden areas by choosing a contrasting floor surface. For instance, use bark for the children’s playground, wood deck materials for the lounge, and stone pavers for the barbeque area.
Utilize a Variety of Colors
Use a different color for your walls or fences to make separate zones. White is a classic choice that works well for lounge areas because it is pure and bright. Meanwhile, darker green shades work well for play areas. Finally, darker aubergines and navy blues can complete your dining area as it sets a good ambiance for your warm summer nights.
Work With Different Plants
Different plants potted can also help you define your garden zones. You can work with one color or design per section. For instance, white daisies for one area or darker roses for another. Letting your plants do the “talking” and dividing is certainly a fun and creative way to show the demarcation lines in your garden.
Try Architectural Planting
You can use this technique to carve out zones. For example, work with a line of box plants in a low wall. You can use them as your division for your lounge and dining area. Meanwhile, you can use tall tropical plants to create a partition between the street and your dining area.
You can now readily create a vertical garden if there are any spaces you want to camouflage. Apart from pergolas, trellises, and arbors, this can provide you with privacy. In addition, having flowers climbing on your living wall provides visual appeal.
Let Your Personality Shine Through
Give your garden the final touches by adding details like water features, chimes, a birdbath, and the like. Your garden should somehow reflect the personality of the occupants living in the house, too. This will make you feel satisfied because your garden fulfills all of your outdoor space needs.
If you need help setting up your garden, call our team at Eco Minded Solutions for a free consultation. You can also fill out this contact form here. We would love to help plan the best garden that meets your needs and budget.
