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It is not always easy to come up with your own landscaping ideas. In fact, it's not uncommon for beginners to use professional help in developing their first landscaping ideas and plans.

First off -- don't allow yourself to feel overwhelmed. Take your time and realize that this is suppose to be stress relieving -- not stress inducing.

Take a stroll around the yard and really look around. Get a good feel for your area. Note where the trees are. Note where the open areas are. What areas get sunlight and when? Where is the drainage? What areas should be converted to other uses (patio, pond, garden, etc.) Really note the area though several days and weather patterns. It would be very bad to find that the area you set aside for a volleyball court is underwater for days after a rain, for instance.

Now imagine what you would like to see and do with your yard in the future. This is the best way to develop landscaping ideas. Do you want a showplace with flowers and herbs or do you want a recreational area with spaces for chairs, grills and games? Do you want to grow vegetables or do you want to throw wild parties? Knowing how you want to relax is the first step to getting to the landscape you desire. Once you know what you want from the land it is time to develop your landscaping ideas.

Planning Ahead is Must

With the knowledge of what you want from your yard, start searching the internet and your local library. You can find hundreds of sites on the internet and books at the library with great landscaping ideas that you can take and make your own. Adapt the plans you find and the plans in your head until you have a concrete vision. Don't be afraid to sketch your ideas on a piece of paper -- no matter how bad an artist you think you are. Drawing out your plans will allow you to picture them better and possibly see problems before they occur and stop your progress later.

Don't forget to consider the front, back and side yards as well as any existing buildings and other physical structures (pools, sheds, etc) in you landscaping ideas. Not only can this prevent problem such as bad drainage, but it can also allow you to create a harmony to the entire design.

Before you choose the final landscaping idea, take a little extra time to learn the basics of landscaping. This is not difficult and you do not have to become a master. But it is important if you have never done any work like this before. Read a couple of books and skim several more books and websites on landscaping to get a good feel for the work involved.

Finalize Your Plans

Small scale landscaping and gardening is easy and relaxing but fully re-landscaping requires a lot of work. Knowing what you want in advance will help you determine whether to tackle the job yourself or hire professional help. You can also do both -- do the easy parts yourself and hire professional landscapers for the more challenging. This is where the knowledge you gain from the library books and websites will come into good use. Break your landscaping plans down into manageable tasks and determine cost, time and effort required for each.

Remember that any large-scale landscaping that requires deep digging, building of structures or removing of buildings or trees may require a permit or inspection. Check with the local authorities before tackling anything large.

Nothing is more fun and rewarding than carefully choosing your landscaping ideas, planting favorite flowers, trees and plants, marking off recreation areas and creating the most incredibly inspiring and breath-taking gardens and landscapes imaginable right outside your door. It does take planning, patience, and some work, but with the right landscaping ideas, time and resources, there's no better time than to completely lose yourself in the physical, emotional and creative outlet landscaping provides.