Designing a landscape can be overwhelming. There are many things to consider: the natural environment, the lot size and shape, your budget, and more. You need to balance what you want aesthetically and what is feasible for the site. Here are some common pitfalls to avoid when designing your new landscape.
1. Choosing the Wrong Plant
When designing a landscape, be sure to choose plants suited to your climate. If you live in an arid region with hot summers, do not plant any trees or shrubs that require lots of water. Similarly, if you live in a windy area with cold winters, choose plants that can handle the harsh conditions. Remember, the right trees not only improve the view of your property, but they also make it more valuable. They have actually been known to raise property values by 20% in some areas.
2. Forgetting the Details
Don’t just think about what plants you want to place in your garden. You also need to consider their spacing and how they will look when fully grown. There is a big difference between a small plant and a full-grown tree, so be sure to do all of your research before making any major design decisions. Try creating your own scale models to see how everything will look in the end.
3. Ignoring Soil Conditions
When designing a landscape, it is important to pay attention to your soil conditions. You can’t alter the natural composition of your soil, but you can take steps to make sure that your plants get all of the nutrients they need. Make sure you test your soil and address any deficiencies before choosing plants.
4. Making the Layout Too Complicated
When designing a landscape, do not make it too complicated or intricate. You want to create a relaxing space for you to be in. If you think of your design as a complex art project, you will probably end up with a design that is too over the top. Please keep it simple and choose plants that accentuate each other rather than ones that compete for attention.
5. Not Hiring a Professional
If you have a very small or simple design, then creating your own landscape design plan can be easy. But larger and more complex designs require the skills of a professional landscaper. Even if your budget is limited, hire a landscaper to help you with some parts of your landscape design. You will end up getting more for your money by hiring a professional instead of trying to do everything yourself.
6. Forgetting About Maintenance
When designing a landscape, do not forget to plan for ongoing maintenance. You don’t want your yard to look trashed after only a year because you didn’t use the right plants and design! Make sure that your layout includes plants that can be easily maintained without too much of an effort on your part.
7. Using the Wrong Materials
When designing a landscape, you want to choose materials that are both functional and attractive. Your choice of materials can have a huge impact on the look of your yard. Be sure that your choices are durable enough for weather conditions in your area. You also want to make sure that they match with any architectural elements of your home.
Landscaping design is an art and not always easy. But if you choose the right approach, hire a professional landscaper, and plan ahead, you should be able to create a beautiful outdoor retreat that will enhance your home.