Landscaping can make a big difference in the appeal and perception of your home or business. Whether you are landscaping for your personal or commercial property, it is important to keep these three tips in mind.
Make a plan and budget accordingly.
In order to get the most out of your time and money, you must plan out your landscape design. Knowing exactly where you want plants and flowers as well as any water or other hardscape features (such as patios, decks, fences, walls, walkways, etc.) will prevent you from buying extra or unnecessary items that you can’t use. Be sure to figure out how much of each supply you will need to complete the job. Taking the time to measure your spaces and calculate the number of plants, bags of mulch, stones, bricks, and any other essential items will save you from having to make multiple trips or risk running out of something and not being able to find more of the same.
Consider the maintenance.
Make sure you have enough money budgeted to buy not only what you need but also to maintain your landscaping. It is imperative that you take long-term upkeep into consideration because if you don’t have the budget to do the requisite maintenance, your initial investment and all of your hard work will be for naught. If feasible, consult with a professional landscaping company who can provide design expertise and give you an idea of the initial and ongoing costs. Depending on the extent of the landscaping and the necessary upkeep, it is also worth evaluating whether or not you can afford to hire professionals if you are not able to keep up with the maintenance on your own. If a high-maintenance landscape isn’t viable due to time or budget constraints, then it is important to choose landscaping that won’t require a great deal of either.
Choose your materials wisely.
There are many factors to take into account when deciding what you are going to use in your landscaping. Climate, colors, and the amount of sun versus shade are all important considerations when choosing plants, flowers, and trees. Make sure you are selecting vegetation that will be hearty enough for the climate and seasons where you live and will be able to thrive in the area where you place it. Annuals are a beautiful addition to any landscape, but because they have to be replanted every year, they aren’t the most time or budget efficient option for large areas. Perennials will return in the spring from year to year but typically have a shorter growing season. Using a variety of plants will help keep your landscape looking good all year long. Also, whenever possible, consider choosing seeds or bulbs over full grown plants. While you might have to wait a little longer to enjoy the fruits of your labor, it will initially save you time and money because they cost less and don’t require as much effort to plant. You should also compare the costs of buying things in smaller quantities as opposed to in bulk to determine which makes sense for your budget and project. Finally, don’t spend money on landscape fabric unless you are using it under hardscaping. Landscape fabric only prevents weeds from coming through the fabric, so if there are going to be areas that have holes cut out of them for plants or bushes, the weeds will find their way through as well. Landscape fabric works great under stone or gravel, but in areas where you are going to be planting – skip it.
Remember these essential tips before you take on any landscaping project and make all your green dreams come true!
