Designing a home landscape yourself may seem overwhelming. How do you even know where to start? But working step by step, you can handle the job. Here’s how to develop and implement a charming DIY landscape design in your outdoor space.
Step one: Learn the lay of the land
Before turning a spade of dirt, you must plan. Begin by familiarizing yourself with your property. On which sides does the sun rise and set? Does your backyard get the morning or afternoon sun? From what direction does the wind most often blow? How do your house and trees cast shade throughout the day? During periods of heavy rain, does water pond on your property?
Spend time getting to know the characteristics of your land and house. Sit outside at different times of the day, noting the patterns of sun and shade. This information will help you choose your property’s best design and plants.
Prioritize your landscape design needs
Do your kids need a play space? Do you want to entertain with an outdoor kitchen on a patio or deck? Do you want to raise a vegetable or a flower garden? Decide what is important to you and where to place features, incorporating the knowledge you’ve gained about your property through observation.
Take out your number two pencil and sketch
Use graph paper to draw the footprint of your house and the property boundaries. Next, sketch the layout you envision for placing flower beds, lawn areas, playscapes, outdoor kitchens, and more. Start with the features closest to the house and work your way outward to ensure you plan everything to the proper scale. Contour features around the footprint of your home and the property lines to allow for easy foot traffic.
Research plants
Now, the fun part begins: choosing the plants you’ll use to beautify your property. Buy books on gardening and landscaping or browse pictures online to find the kinds of trees, bushes, and bedding plants that please you.
Note the important characteristics of each plant you choose to ensure it will work in your landscape.
- How much sun/shade does each plant need?
- Are your flower choices annuals (plants that live one year only) or perennials (plants that return each year)?
- How much water do your choices need?
- Are your tree choices evergreen (always have leaves/needles) or deciduous (drops leaves in winter)?
Using your landscape sketch, pencil in the plants you want in each area. Be aware of the spacing needed between each species of plant.
Consult with a professional nursery
Take your DIY landscape design sketch and pictures to an independent professional nursery staffed with knowledgeable people. Big-box home improvement store personnel will not have the necessary training and experience. The nursery employees may affirm your plant choices or steer you to alternatives. Trust their advice.
You might also take a sandwich bag of your soil so the nursery can advise you on what you may need to add to your dirt to create the best growing conditions.
Purchase your plants and any soil, compost, or other additives you may need, then head home and bring your beautiful new DIY landscape design to life.
Related – Choosing the Right Trees for Your Landscape
