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.
Continued on next page >
CANON-MAC
❘
SPRING 2019
25