Front yard or backyard landscaping can provide your yard a fresh, new look for you to enjoy. When
landscaping your yard, it is important to make the appearance warm and welcoming, as your yard is often the first thing seen when arriving to your home. There are three different areas of your yard where you can landscape: your front yard, your backyard, and your pool. Each area requires different types of landscaping, with different plants and design plans to best utilize the natural environment.
Front Yard Landscaping Ideas
Front yard landscaping can also be referred to as improving the curb appeal of your home. This is an important feature of your home to keep landscaped, even if you are not planning on selling your home soon. Your front yard is the first thing visitors see when arriving to your home, and you want to have the best front yard to show how unique you are.
You want your front yard to be
welcoming and inviting. The most important feature of a front yard is the lawn, so be sure to keep the grass watered and use pesticide to get rid of any insects or diseases which can ruin your lawn. If you have a pathway leading from the driveway or sidewalk, use an edger to keep grass and weeds from growing along the sides of the pathway. Another option for a front yard is to use a garden ornament or two. These do not have to be the stereotypical lawn gnome or flamingo, but instead perhaps a birdbath, sundial, or bench.
For plants, select taller plants to be closer to the house, and gradually plant the flowers in rows so the height goes from tall near the house to shorter at the edge of the plant bed. Remember that even though the plants may be small to begin with, you need to be aware of the mature plant size. A seedling for a tall plant may be smaller than those of short plants, but the plant will bloom and rise after maturing, hiding plants behind it.
Backyard Landscaping Ideas
There are a vast variety of backyard landscaping ideas used for the purpose of
home remodeling, including English gardens, desert landscaping, and oriental gardens. Although you can create any theme in your backyard, there are factors that you should keep in mind while landscaping your backyard.
When planning your garden, remember the location of your home in regards to the sun and the moon. Some flowers bloom only in the moonlight and others, like the sunflower, follow the sun like a natural sundial. If your home’s orientation blocks this necessary light, you may want to look for plants not affected by the sun and moon. You also need to keep in mind how often you want to be pruning and being in your garden. If you do not intend on spending much time, you may want to find plants and flowers which are not high maintenance.
Another factor to consider for your backyard landscaping is your weather conditions. If your region is susceptible to drought, you may want to opt for a desert landscape. This landscaping idea and home improvement method uses cactuses and other low-maintenance plants to provide a southwestern feel for your backyard. This type of backyard landscaping holds another bonus: the plants do not require as much watering, which means you will not have to spend many hours in your garden.
Pool Landscaping Ideas
Pool landscaping often starts with adding stones and pebbles around the pool area. Adding stones leading to the pool can provide you with extra protection when going to and from the swimming pool. These stones can be specially made to keep cool and remain non-skid, which will keep you from burning your feet and falling. This pool landscaping idea provides a positive double duty: beauty and protection.
One main reason why people choose not to landscape around the pool is that leaves or petals can fall into the pool, increasing maintenance. By selecting a plant which adds colors—not fallen petals—you can add color around your pool. Zinnias hold their petals and Crotons have colorful leaves. By leaving these plants in their planters, the planters will catch any fallen leaves. Be sure that the flowers you select do not attract bees or other pesky insects
Lastly, it is also important to be sure that the
landscaping ideas you choose are not high-maintenance. If you usually do not enjoy doing extra yard work, consider plants which do not require being watered or pruned regularly. Find plants which fit your environment, and always check the height of a mature plant before selecting it. The last thing you want is to plant a seedling and have it blocking windows three years later. With proper research and planning, your front yard, backyard, and pool landscaping ideas will come to life and provide you a welcoming new environment.