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Create Your Own Backyard Haven with Landscaping
One of the things that many times stops
home owners from attempting to take on their own landscaping
project is fear. Look through the books on landscaping
and read some of the suggestions and it can scare a
person to death.
Fear not! You definitely need to read
up and look at pictures before you begin a project,
but remember; this is your backyard and you are free
to do with it what you want.
The main thing to be concerned with
when planting different plants is to make certain of
their growing requirements. Do they require a lot of
sunlight, a mix of sun and shade, or mostly shade? Other
than that, let's get started.
The biggest and most dramatic feature
you can add to your backyard is a pond. Put in a waterfall
and enjoy the relaxing sounds of water while you sip
lemonade and read a good book.
If a pond is in your plans, do this
first. It will be the focal point and you can begin
your plantings later.
A pond is not hard to build. Plan your
layout and get some white spray paint or chalk and layout
your design. You can use one of the plastic pre-shaped
pond kits if you like, but you can never really get
the natural look that you can with a liner.
The hardest part will be digging. The
tedious part may be laying out the liner to try to remove
most of the wrinkles. The fun part will be filling the
pond with water and, later, stocking the pond with fish.
Put in some water lilies and, if that's
the only thing you get done the first year, who cares?!
This will be dramatic and will definitely bring you
lots of relaxation as well as pride. Plant it near where
you spend most of your time. Don't hide it away at the
back of your yard.
When the pond is finished, pick areas
around your yard and plan the location of your plants.
Notice the sunshine at different times of the day. That's
what will determine the location of your plants in each
area.
Unless you have a lot of time and money,
you probably won't be able to plant your entire backyard
in one season. Start with one area and till it up. Plant
a few plants and space them out somewhat. This will
give you a chance to mix in some plants next year. You
can see what the plants look like and decide if you
need more color or some hostas or some more of the same
plants. Next year, you can add or subtract plantings
as needed.
One more important point. Plant short
plants in front and taller plants in the back.
Start with a few sections now or one
section and add more each year. You'll be amazed what
you can accomplish in four or five years without breaking
the bank. You'll create a backyard haven made especially
for you.
1howto.com
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