It’s surprisingly common for homeowners and their families to leave their backyards more or less unused and untouched. In these cases, the yards often consist of nothing but a blank expanse of grass and perhaps a few flower beds. Who would want to spend time outdoors in that environment?
Instead of leaving the backyard as it is and continuing to ignore it, homeowners can benefit substantially from reconsidering how they think about the space. When they start looking at outdoor spaces as extensions of the home, the options for enjoying time outside get expanded significantly. Read on to find out how to create a beautiful landscape to enhance the outdoor space and make it more appealing for everyone in the family.
Step 1: Think Big
Before deciding on any particular landscaping or hardscaping component, homeowners should take a step back and consider how they plan on using the newly remodeled outdoor space. The elements required to host giant outdoor dinner parties are very different from those it would take to create a quiet retreat to get away from the world. Homeowners should take as much time as necessary to brainstorm ideas and set practical goals before beginning the process of making actual changes.
Step 2: Start With Major Changes
It may seem like the best place to start is by installing hardscaping features. Really, the first practical step homeowners should take is to call a company like Ahlum & Arbor to schedule a tree evaluation. If there are trees that need to come down to accommodate new outdoor features, that has to happen before any gardens are planted or hardscaping elements are installed. The same thing goes for minor earthworks projects like building terraces or creating dry creeks.
Step 3: Add Hardscaping Features
The next step toward having a beautiful backyard oasis is to install the necessary hardscaping features. They will vary based on the space’s intended use, which is part of why it’s so important to define purpose and goals before adding anything permanent to the design or the yard. Common examples include:
- An outdoor kitchen for easy entertaining
A backyard waterfall to maximize relaxation
A fire pit to extend the space’s use
A gazebo or pergola for protection from the elements
Walkways through gardens, orchards, and other landscaping zones
Step 4: Get Perennial Plants Established
Once all of the earthwork and hardscaping projects are out of the way, it’s time to start on the actual landscaping changes. The best place to start is with perennial plants like trees, shrubs, and other woody perennials. Hiring a tree specialist will make it easier for homeowners to choose specimens that meet their needs and ensure that they get the best possible start in life.
Step 5: Plant Gardens
Whether homeowners want to plant flowers, vegetables, herbs, or some combination of the above, they should do so in designated garden beds. That way, tender annual plants won’t have to compete with perennials and there will be less risk of children or pets laying waste to all of the home gardener’s hard work.
Make Time to Enjoy It
If it sounds like there’s a lot of work that goes into creating the perfect backyard landscape, that’s because it’s true. Homeowners and their families will find that it’s well worth the work once all of the steps above are completed, though. Most only have to be performed once, too, which means that completing a landscaping project in the off-season will give residents all the time in the world to enjoy it.
