|
||
Adding a garden can be the perfect way to spice up any home or office lawn. We have all seen enough boring lawns that have nothing other than a tree or a bush here and there. If you have some extra time on your hands this year, why not try getting creative by coming up with a garden design for your lawn and then getting to work making it happen.
If the idea of coming up with a garden design for your property sounds overwhelming, then get some help. There are countless numbers of landscape architects and professional gardening aides that will be more than happy to assist you in coming up with the best garden design for your needs and that fit your tastes. Do a quick search through the yellow pages or do an internet search to discover different options for getting help with your garden design.
There are things to be aware of when planning your garden design. First, consider honestly what kind of budget you can afford to put toward creating a garden design. Do not let the huge gardens of your neighbors or friends intimidate you. There is no shame in starting small. The important thing is to know your own budget and then to stick to it. Creating a garden design can get out of hand as quickly as any other home project can.
Another thing to be aware of when planning your garden design is what kind of time - realistically - you have to put in to tending your garden. Again, don't get caught in the trap of comparison here. Your garden design must simply be fit to your own needs and schedule. Don't get in over your head with a garden design that will take far too many hours to tend. If, however, money is not an issue, than you can always considering hiring someone to attend to the fruit of your garden design each week. Just be realistic and plan a garden design that truly fits your schedule.
Adding a garden can be one of the best things for your home or office lawn. Just do it with care. Read up on gardens and learn about the most strategic ways to create a garden design for your particular climate and soil type. There are many details to consider when making a garden design, so do it carefully and you'll be enjoying the benefits of a beautiful garden for years to come.
If properly planned, a landscape will come together as one 'big picture' with balance, variety, and proportion. To create such unity, repeat the same plants in various parts of your yard. Plan what you want and where you want it before you go to your local greenhouse. Aim for complementary plantings, tones, and colors rather than trying one of every height, dimension, and color.
Your landscape can be formal or informal; you can have plantings that mirror each other or well-balanced placements and focal points dispersed. Either way, try for a balance that presents a pleasing overall picture. Your plantings and hardscape selections should be proportionate to your dwelling and other structures. Bear in mind how big that azalea bush in front of your porch or deck will become in its maturity. Consider how much shade that small poplar tree will offer once it reaches its full height.
For garden beds, consider growth rates – you don't want a faster growing ground cover to dwarf any lovely blooms. Variety is pleasant, though too much diversity in your landscape can render it confusing and unsettling. Aiming for a balance includes leaving some empty space. Free space can be used to guide the eye to a favorite focal point, such as a fountain or outdoor fireplace. If you have a larger yard, create flower and/or vegetable garden oasis spots by creating beds and berms in certain well-placed areas. The key is to leave some open space to avoid a cluttered appearance.
Planning your garden beds before planting and even buying what you will put in them is important. You can begin with graph paper or a computer program, charting growth times, colors, heights, etc. but the real-life picture is most important. I suggest finding a big ball of twine or thick kite string and physically going out into your yard to delineate where, how big, and what shape your garden beds will be.
Beds can be straight lines or curved, geometrical or randomly shaped. Mark them off with string. Be sure to leave space for the tending of your garden beds. If you have the information about maturity heights and amount of spreading for your favorite plantings, mark them off with twine and/or using thin tomato stakes or twigs to show height. This way, you will not dwarf other plantings nor plant anything that will grow to be disproportionate.
You don't want plantings to take over your brick patio or your hammock! Color and texture planning are important, too. Choose a few plants that will offer beauty during winter or your off-season, such as ornamental grasses, juniper bushes, or a small myrtle tree. Too much of a good thing becomes discordant: don't try to include every color in the Crayola box. A good balance of color, with some variety but whose tones complement each other as well as your home, will offer the most holistic appeal. Plan length of growing and blooming times so you can enjoy your landscape as long as possible. Plan for adequate sun and water, too.