You have been stuck at home for weeks now, and the boredom is unbearable. That’s why we are here to present you with an idea of engaging in a DIY landscaping project!
A landscaped yard increases the value of your property and gives you a beautiful outdoor area to spend your time in.
While in regular times you may have a professional landscaper that comes over, you can do most of it on your own.
How To Do It
Using the quarantine time to pay more attention to your landscape is not only rewarding, it is also a great way to restore your creativity. For the most part, designing a landscape can be done without a professional as long as you have an idea, materials, and the right tools.
The first step when it comes to DIY landscaping is to start from your front yard, which basically means the entrance to your home. While the idea of a landscape is to look beautiful, it should also be functional. One of the most important things to remember is that you shouldn’t do any planting before you are done with hardscaping. This goes for driveways, sidewalks, and patios, also.
The reason is that your soil may be affected during this process, and if plants were planted prior to this, it can cause a couple of issues.
The foliage that you set in a landscape will help you make the most out of your idea. Keep in mind that the soil should be loose and fertile. If you are not satisfied with the current condition, feel free to add some bark or compost (organic) to ensure that the plants are off to a good start.
It is extremely important to define the turf of your landscape. You can do that by setting borders with native plants, as well as attractive shrubs. A great solution for the front yard is to install a couple of flower beds right next to the entrance.
Once you are done with the front landscape, it is time to move to the backside of your yard. In our opinion, it is best to place a patio and outdoor dining area in this part. This is because of the privacy that the backside allows. Plus, you will have more freedom and space to put a fire pit in the middle and create a functional and romantic atmosphere.
When it comes to the fireplace, you may either make your own pit by arranging bricks in a circular fashion, or you can buy one from home decor stores.
As we have mentioned above, it is incredibly important to pay attention to the foliage you are planting. Also, make sure that you add your personality and flair into your DIY landscape.
Tips For DIY Landscaping
The fact that you have more time on your hands means that there is a higher chance for you to overthink a certain idea. That is why we suggest you follow certain tips and avoid common issues, such as the following.
- Make sure that the plans provide for year-round interests, as you will want foliage throughout all four seasons.
- Invest extra time into layering your flower bed, starting with the tallest plants in the back and the shortest in the front.
- Add annuals if you are looking to get the perennial color.
- Focus on form and texture both when it comes to plants and hardscape.
- Don’t overwhelm yourself. Instead, go for a low-maintenance yard that is still versatile and functional.
Pros/Cons Of DIY Landscaping
The advantages of being your own landscaper are quite clear.
First and foremost, you will be able to incorporate your personality into the yard. No matter how much you explain the idea to someone, no one will be able to portray it as precisely as you could.
Additionally, it can be quite relaxing as long as you have adequate tools and materials. Lastly, if you did prior research and made sure to get everything at good prices, it is a less expensive option.
On the other hand, hiring a professional landscape artist comes with a lower risk of mistakes, especially when it comes to functionality. Additionally, you should know that they have better tools for this work than the ones you will find at reasonable prices.
Summary
If your quarantine time is still not over, then one of the best ways to spend it is making amends to your current yard.
We did our best to explain the potential benefits of DIY landscaping. While the process itself may seem challenging, with the right preparation and an idea in mind, it will be incredibly rewarding!