Great organization is as important for the exterior of your home as it is for the interior. A well-manicured yard sets the stage for a calm and relaxing home environment for you, your family and guests.
With spring just a few months away, now is the perfect time to begin planning how you want to update your landscape design when the weather warms up. With thorough planning and organization, you’ll be able to complete outdoor projects in less time.
Here are five planning tips to transform your landscape this spring:
1. List Needs & Wants
Establish a few clear reasons why you’re redesigning the landscaping. Do you want to grow your own vegetables? Do your kids need more room to play? Do you want an area to entertain guests outdoors? List out all of your wants and needs and prioritize them to create a manageable plan with clear goals.
According to garden design experts at Better Homes & Gardens, it’s helpful to “do some very rough sketches of the yard with thoughts of where you want to place things; it’s a great organizing principle for landscape design.”
2. Research Plant Varieties & Planting Dates
Avoid impulse buying when purchasing plants and, instead, research what plants grow well in your area. Stop by a local garden center to get advice from the professionals if you’re unsure of what kind of plants you want.
Once you’ve determined the varieties you want, find out the ideal planting dates in your area and create a calendar of when you need to plant which ones.
3. Choose Focal Points | Accent Landscape Lighting
Establish a few focal points to work around. According to Better Homes & Gardens, garden design expert Marianne Lipanovich advises to create focal points when landscaping because “the point is to draw your eye and move it through the landscape.”
Add landscape lighting from Kichler Superstore around the focal point to add visual interest at night.
4. Evaluate Sun Patterns
Consider what times of day various areas of your yard gets the most sun and how that changes throughout the year. “Site selection with plenty of sun and a water source is crucial,” Karol Kelly at Macon.com cited. If your new landscaping plan involves a patio or a fire pit, consider the wind patterns in addition to the sun patterns.
This will prevent the fire from being constantly blown out by strong gusts, or your patio from having too much direct sunlight during summer barbecues.
5. Create a Plan & Stick to It
Once you’ve chosen the plants, focal points, landscape lighting and the location of a patio or any pathways, draw out a rough site plan. According to landscaping writer Tammy Lee Morris at Yahoo! Voices, “A drawing can help you better visualize what you wish to do and will keep you focused.” Next, make a to-do list, breaking down the tasks for each area of your yard and setting a timeline for the project.
If you plan to do all of the work yourself, allow a few weeks to get everything done to save yourself stress. If you’re going to hire landscapers, nows a great time to find a reputable company to take on the job. Ask your friends and neighbors for any recommendations to help narrow down the options.