Turn Your Yard into a Vacation Destination

Right along with summer vacation fever, saving money is top-of-mind for just about everyone this season. So why not stretch that vacation dollar by creating a home "staycation" retreat you can enjoy every weekend...or every day, for that matter? With a few simple additions, you can make your own backyard your perfect great escape. Just choose where you'd like to go. Then stay as long as you like!

A Rustic Retreat
Love the thought of getting away from it all in a far-away cabin in the woods? It's closer than you think. Here's what you can do outside your own back door to get that forest feeling.

• Think evergreens. Well-placed evergreen trees and shrubs like pine, juniper, arbor vitae and hemlock not only make a wonderfully woodsy border for your yard. They also create a more private, secluded atmosphere. Plus, you'll enjoy added color in your landscape all year long.
• Plant a woodland garden. Choose plants that would normally be found in the woods (ferns, hostas and trillium are good basics) to mimic a forest landscape at home. While these plants generally can thrive with little maintenance, it's important to get off to the right start. For helpful how-to's, visit http://www.gardenlistings.com. 
• Add wildflowers to the mix. Recreate the natural charm of a flowering meadow with your own wildflower garden. Most nurseries and garden centers carry a wide variety of wildflower seeds to choose from. Just be sure that you look for those that grow best in your area. To find out which are native to your zone, go to http://www.wildflower.org.
• Enhance with some extras. Must have: a fire pit for weenie roasting, s'mores toasting or simply gazing into. Bird feeders and a bath for feathered friends add interest to your landscape and invite a little wildlife in. And Adirondack chairs are especially suited for relaxing comfortably in a rustic retreat.

An Exotic Retreat
Are the tropics your vacation temptation? No matter where you live, you can bring plenty of paradise to your own backyard. Here's how:

• Make your lawn barefoot friendly.  No white sand beaches to comb? No worries. You can still kick off your shoes and enjoy a relaxing stroll. To keep you lawn soft and plush enough for barefooting, be sure to follow the Yard Doctor's "Prescription for a Healthy Lawn".
• Get a lush look. An abundance of foliage in a variety of heights, broad shapes and bright colors can create a tropical illusion in any climate. But your climate will also determine how they're displayed. If you live in a warm weather region, you can plant tropical varietals in beds. In colder climates, you'll want to supplement bed planting with container gardens, which you can then bring indoors to enjoy during late fall and winter months. Palms, hibiscus, ferns and fuchsias are popular choices. Add plenty of colorful hanging flower baskets and climbing vines to further the jungle vibe. For more plant and flower ideas, visit http://www.diy.com.
• Go for fragrance. To add the scent of the tropics to your backyard haven, make fragrant tropical flowers such as jasmine, passionflower, gardenia, lemon verbena, angel trumpet and honeysuckle part of your paradise selection. Then every breeze will be like drifting off to an exotic destination.
• Enhance with some extras. Must have: Tiki torches to illuminate your landscape with softly glowing flames. A fountain makes a very fitting focal point and creates the tranquil sound of falling water. (For ultimate ease, look for plug-in fountains, available in many styles and price ranges.) Weatherproof rattan furniture adds to the tropical feel and feels great to lounge in. Finally, don't forget the umbrella drinks!