SPECIAL SECTION HOME IMPROVEMENT
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
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PETERS TOWNSHIP
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