IN Brentwood-Baldwin-Whitehall Spring 2019 | Page 31

DO-IT-YOURSELF LANDSCAPING THAT
DOESN’T LOOK IT
If you’ve ever attempted to transform your backyard into a
beautifully designed paradise, then you have probably planted,
trimmed and dug your way into a few minor frustrations along
the way. While good landscaping can vary
by degrees including budget, skills and
climate, there are a few easy things
you can do in order to be proud
of your landscaping without
paying an expert.
The following tips will
guide you on the right path to
do-it-yourself landscaping:
*Always layer your
planting beds. Layering in
three rows, begin with your
tallest plants in the back row,
next tallest in the middle and
your shortest plants in the front.
And don’t just plant one bed—put
another elsewhere in your yard to help
provide a sense of harmony.
*Calm your yard with water features. Providing focal
points in your landscaping work is a must, and one great way is to
incorporate water features such as ponds and simple waterfalls.
They both look appealing and add an attractive element to your
yard—the calming sounds of moving water.
*Utilize retaining walls. If you are planning on protecting
the fragile landscaping work around your home, it’s imperative
to construct a strong retaining wall. Erosion-prone areas in your
yard will benefit greatly by incorporating segmental retaining
walls constructed from concrete masonry. Using concrete
masonry not only provides the best value for the investment, it
also delivers superior design flexibility and aesthetic appeal to
any landscape idea.
*When planting flowers, go with annuals. To have a
continuous sense of color throughout your yard, plant annual
flowers alongside your favorite perennials. Research and lay out
creative flower combinations that make use of both kinds of
flowers for year-round beauty.
*Think year-round. One of the biggest mistakes one can
make is only providing one or two seasons’ worth of eye-catching
landscaping. Plan for having plentiful trees and shrubs during
the springtime, fall foliage during autumn months and good,
visually interesting plant life in the winter, such as holly shrubs or
bayberry bushes.
DECKED OUT
One of the most inexpensive ways to add living space to your
home is the addition of an outdoor deck or patio. Having a great
outdoor space is like adding an extra room to your house. It can
be enjoyed by the whole family, or experienced in quiet solitude
as a retreat to the Zen of outdoor living.
If you like to entertain, then an outdoor space is a must. Guests
can spill out onto the patio, extending your home to allow more
freedom for guests to mingle, both inside and out.
Continued on next page >
BRENTWOOD-BALDWIN-WHITEHALL
❘
SPRING 2019
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