The nights are still chilly and the early-blooming rhodies are just starting to pop, but it’s not too early to start thinking about what you want your yard to be this summer. Maybe you want to expand your outdoor living with a patio. Or even add a full-blown outdoor kitchen. Sometimes homeowners just want to bring a fresh look to their property or add a pop of color to a drab corner.
Whatever you’re dreaming about, the best way to achieve a good outcome is to start with a plan. This is also the step that many homeowners find the most difficult. It can be hard to look out at featureless yard and imagine what it could be. So here are a few tips on planning for your next landscape project:
- Match your landscape design to your home and property. Sometimes homeowners fall in love with some landscape idea they’ve seen in a magazine, or a particular plant they’ve seen at the garden center, and they have to have it, even if it isn’t really a good match for their home or property. What can happen is that you end up with a mish-mash of plants or features that distract from the home rather than enhancing it. It’s a good idea to clip (or pin) ideas that you like when you come across them, but you want to think of them as possibilities in the context of an overall plan. If you house is rustic, lean toward a more rustic garden; if you are the contemporary type, think clean lines and grasses. Also consider how your property is situated with regard to sunlight, drainage issues and soil type.
- Make sure your landscape design is a good fit for your lifestyle. For some people, the perfect summer afternoon is spent puttering around the yard, watering plants, pulling the odd weed and deadheading the petunias. For others, the idea of spending the afternoon doing any kind of yard work is about as enjoyable as a root canal. So make sure the landscape you are planning is good fit for you. There are choices we can make to keep your garden looking great even if you hardly have time to look at it. Also think about how your whole family will want to use the yard. There are ways to accommodate outdoor entertaining for adults and kids’ activities if you plan ahead.
- If you just can’t get the vision…call in the experts! We often work with homeowners who just don’t know what to do or where to begin. The best thing is to call us and we’ll come out and walk your property with you and give you some ideas to think about. We can help you develop a plan for your whole property, even if you are only ready to take on one piece at a time.
If you’re planning major projects like a new patio or water feature, you want to get started soon so that you can enjoy your new landscape for the whole summer. So contact us for a free design consultation and quote!