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Basic Landscaping

Most homeowners want a nicely landscaped yard. Yet many of these people cannot afford to hire professional landscapers.

If you fall into this group it doesn't mean that you have to forgo some nice landscaping around your home. It means you have to take some time learning how to do it yourself.

The Internet is a great place to find landscaping design ideas to help you get started. Searching for terms such as 'landscape designs' and 'landscaping ideas' and 'landscaping diy' will bring up a lot of good Web sites to visit for ideas and to learn the basics.

To learn which plants do well in your area, what plants need shade and what plants want sunshine, you can visit a local nursery. Usually workers at a nursery that only sells plants and gardening supplies will give you a lot more information than a garden center at a large department store.

At the nursery you can also find out which tools you need to make the job easier and more enjoyable. The right tool can make the difference between struggling for hours or getting the job done in minutes.

Some things to consider including in your landscaping would be: Garden fountain, rock gardens (which can be very attractive if done correctly), raised beds, a play area for children, an area for a vegetable garden, and a pond.

Landscaping Ideas

Some tips to help you get started would include the following: First, when making your landscaping plans keep in mind that you need to work with the current land formation. Any changes you make to the land must blend with the surroundings.

Second, it is often nice to integrate a small water formation to the landscape. This acts to cool the surroundings, encourage plants to grow well, and to encourage animals to come and visit. Water adds natural beauty to any yard if done correctly.

Third, you may want to put up a man made structure like a gazebo or trellis to provide shade and shelter incase of rain. By considering the size, the overall design, and the building materials, any of these types of structures can fit well into the landscape design of your yard.

What Plants to Use in Your Landscaping Plans

Some things to keep in mind include these tips: Small areas need small plants that do not grow fast or grow big. If you put fast-growing plants in small areas they will restrict the growth of smaller plants and destroy the nice effect that you were hoping for.

Keep in mind, too, whether you want to spend a lot of time outdoors taking care of the yard. If you don't mind spending a lot of time doing yard work you will choose different plants and trees than if you want to minimize the time needed for tending to your garden.

As you get started learning about landscaping ideas and designs, you will find that doing your own landscaping can be fun after you learn the basics. It can give you a great sense of achievement to turn an ugly plot of ground into a beautiful garden that you can be proud of.