DIY Landscape Design Tips
“Enjoyment of the landscape is a thrill.”
David Hockney
By far, one of the hottest trends on the market right now is the Do-It-Yourself project. With home improvement and craft shows dominating our channel surfing, it’s easy to dream up a new landscape. All it takes is a couple gratuitous montages of digging, building, and cleanup and suddenly that drab lawn has become a backyard oasis. Simple, right?
Not so much. The reality of DIY landscape design isn’t quite as easy as it seems on TV. However, with the right tips and planning, your dream landscape doesn’t have to stay on the screen.
Getting Started:
When it comes to DIY landscaping, it can be easy to jump right in, head first, with whatever new trend caught your eye. Trouble is, once the romance is gone in a few days, you may find it wasn’t what you were looking for. The best way to get started is to wait, do research, and prepare.
Once you’re sure, it’s time to build your master plan. Take the time and make a rough sketch (art classes not required) that maps out the changes you’re making.
When planning, divide the project into smaller tasks. A big landscape overhaul isn’t a one-weekend event. Landscape projects take time, and no one wants their whole yard under construction for weeks. Instead, create a step-by-step process and stick to it. Don’t move onto the next task until the one you are working on is done.
In making your plan, go in with a budget. Research your cost of supplies and make a spending plan to work within, both for time and money. Top tip: always plan to spend 15-20% more than budgeted. Accidents happen!
Once you have a plan, it’s time to prep your workspace and start fresh with a clean yard. Mow the lawn, prune trees and shrubs, and get rid of any weeds. With a clean slate, you’ll get a better idea of your space and how it will look when it’s complete.
Then you’ll be ready to buy supplies, and the goal should be to buy what you need in one trip. Measure the spaces that need to be worked on and make sure you’re buying enough of what you need – mulch, soil, landscape fabric, etc. All the little trips back to the store will add up and waste time (and probably money) you could be using on your new yard.
Dig in with Alberta’s Best Gardening Blog for more helpful landscaping tips!
Try This:
Create a polished look for your design by adding an edge. Simply add a clean, defined line of stone, brick, or even flowers to outline your garden beds, water features, or walkways. This defines the space and gives it an extra finishing touch.
Give your space a focal point. Our eyes like to wander, but a clear focus in a yard will bring sharpness and clarity. It will give our space a clear point of interest, unifying all our landscape elements together.
Landscaping can often look disorganized if there isn’t something to tie everything together. You can easily bring cohesion to your design by just repeating elements throughout. For example, if you want a gardenscape full of bright and bold colours of every kind, choose one colour that will appear many times.
Nobody wants a design that only dazzles in spring. Design for every season. Evergreens are great for winter, while fruit trees keep summer fresh.
With the excitement of a new landscape design, it can be easy to get carried away with adding elements. The trick to remember is don’t overcrowd. The best landscapes feel spacious – regardless of actual size – so don’t be packing your yard like a can of sardines.
If you’re worried about spaciousness breaking up your cohesion between elements, link them with a walkway. These stones, planks, or tiles will keep your design together, no matter the distance between them.
Designing a new landscape doesn’t necessarily mean hiring a professional. With DIY tutorials just a click away, your backyard space can easily transform at the touch of a hand. For more landscaping tips and tricks, or to get started, visit us at the greenhouse today!
