The Look - Spring Lawn and Landscape Assessment
Spring is the perfect time for some fresh thinking when it comes to making your landscape just that much more beautiful. Start by taking an honest look around and pinpoint what's spoiling your view. Then choose your plan of action for adding more style to your yard this year. But remember: While looks are important, taking care of the basics first is best. Make sure to correct any lawn care issues before tackling the aesthetics.
Here are some common landscape complaints and some guidance on good fixes.
1. Begin with the Basics
When you think of landscaping design, a great "look" is likely the first thing that comes to mind. However, it's also important to consider how you'd like your lawn to function. Before you dig in, make sure to review our list of landscaping mistakes.
Once you know what not to do, you're in a good place to plan your lawn design. Start by considering how you want to use your lawn area. Check out Better Homes and Gardens for some ideas. If it's going to be used for recreation and entertainment, create expansive grass areas with free-flowing shapes that are easy to maintain. If you want something to gaze at but not necessarily play on, you may want to incorporate more formal geometrical shapes, like rectangles or squares.
To fill in your design, add some complementary elements. Check out examples at Better Homes and Gardens.
For example, if you have a shrub isolated in an area of your lawn, plant a bed of flowers or other foliage that wraps the shrub to accentuate its size and shape.
Need more ideas? A professional landscaper can be a great resource. But for budget-friendly advice, you can find free landscape designs on the Web.
2. A Boring Yard
Got a yawner of a yard? If you look around and your lawn seems stale or lacks vigor, there are plenty of ways to liven things up. For a more interesting composition, create contrast by planting different types, heights and colors of foliage. (Just be sure to choose plants that are zoned for your region so they can flourish.) You may also want to consider adding a new focal point like the one described on HGTV. Install a fence, hedge or other eye-catching elements, such as outdoor art or water features. Additionally, foundation plants are great for enhancing elements of your home.
3. The Whoa - That's Ugly - Landscape
The most common offense? Overdoing it with way too much of everything. Many plant lovers simply go overboard in their zeal to create the "wow" factor in their yard, and wind up with something that just doesn't work. The best way to avoid a landscape eyesore is to focus only on a few complementary colors when choosing your plants. If you need help deciding which colors look best together, refer to the complementary color wheel.
And here's some old and wise advice: Always create a plan that you can execute in stages. If you run out of time or resources, you'll be left frustrated with a half-finished project on your hands. Do a bit at a time, and the progress you'll see will motivate you to continue your beautification process.
Interested in checking out some REALLY ugly yards? Look to our Ugly Yard Contest Winners.
