How to Landscape Your Lawn

by Gillian Markson | More from this Blogger

16 Jun 2006 04:20 PM

If you are landscaping your lawn for the first time, there are some basic tenants of the landscaping credo to keep in mind. Landscaping does not have to be expensive or even very involved. Basic landscaping involves determining the lay-out and arrangement of items in your yard - including, but not limited to your bushes, shrubs, rocks and other decorations. Here are some basic how-to guidelines.

1. Always keep your lawn well maintained and clean. Even the most basic of landscapes will benefit greatly from a frequent pruning and manicuring regimen. This regimen involves cutting the grass, watering plants and trimming bushes where they need trimming. Always keep your walkways free from debris, such as mulch and leaves.

2. Mulch several times a year. Mulching involved laying wood chips or layers of mulch on the ground in your flowerbeds or plant mounds. Mulching helps to ensure that your plant roots will stay sufficiently protected and moistened from the elements. It will also help to keep your plants healthy by adding a layer of protective covering to the soil, which will, in turn, help to trap essential nutrients.

3. Add color to your yard. Color can be as basic as planting a new flowerbed in the spring. Choose a plant, such as impatient, that will bloom quickly and retain a bloom on a regular cycle throughout the season. Impatient are also very colorful and can vary in color from plant to plant. There are plants that bring color to every season, but you may have to do a little research to find out which plants will thrive in your climate or region.

4. Add a few trees to your property. Trees will help to shelter your property from the elements and will add shade in the summertime. They will also add age and grace to your property, especially as they grow in size and bulk.

5. Build up your plant beds. By elevating your plant beds above the normal level of your lawn, you can create depth and interest. Simply apply layers of dirt to the flat ground and plant flowers or other shrubs into the dirt mound. From there, mulch around the flower or shrub roots and you have yourself an interesting mound that will add bulk to your lawn.

6. Consider adding a fence to your front lawn. Fences, especially fine crafted wooden fences or picket fences, will draw your property together into a nice package. It will also help to keep the neighbors' dogs away from your property and will, therefore, decrease the chances that you will have to clean your lawn after the neighbors' dogs.

Once you have mastered a few basic landscaping tips, you will be ready to go all-out with your landscaping. Keep your lawn clean, well maintained and inviting and you will have no problem growing a landscape to suit your style. As your budget grows, so will the possibilities when it comes to creating a luxurious, custom-designed landscape. It never hurts to speak with a professional landscaper for some tips that will suit your unique needs right away.

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