3 Questions To Ask When Planning Your Landscaping

The landscape around your home is important for a few reasons. While it can add appeal and value, your landscape can also serve a function. Of course, designing the perfect landscape can be challenging, especially since most people do not know where to begin. With this guide, you will learn a few questions to ask before starting your new landscaping project.

How Will Your Landscape Be Used?

One of the first questions to ask yourself is how your landscape will be used. There are many homeowners who just want their yard to look good and have no intentions on actually spending time in the landscaping.

On the other hand, if you want to spend a good portion of time outdoors around your house, make sure your landscape design accommodates this. A nice, lush lawn that is comfortable to walk and play on and an outdoor living space, such as a deck or patio, can all be beneficial.

How Much Maintenance Can You Handle?

Another factor to consider is how much time, energy, and knowledge you have to help you maintain your new landscaping. Remember that certain types of plants and grasses require much more maintenance, including watering, fertilizing, and pruning, so the total time and energy you want to put into your yard will matter during the initial design process.

If you live in a hot climate that does not experience much rain, for example, you may want to avoid cool-season types of grasses, such as fescue. Fescue requires a lot of water during the warm seasons to stay green and healthy. Fescue also grows higher than warm-season grasses, such as Bermuda and zoysia, so you will need to mow more frequently.

A landscape design with a lot of flowers will require more maintenance, too. Periodic dead-heading and weeding will be important to keep your flowerbeds appealing and neat throughout the different seasons.

For a care-free landscape, focus on drought-resistant plants and perennials that come back each year without effort. Liriope and phlox are both great options to consider because they are not only easy to grow but also easy to maintain.

How Much Do You Want to Spend?

It is important to remember that landscape design is an investment. Therefore, if you are on a strict budget, you should invest in the right options.

Outdoor living, for example, will not only improve the appeal of your home but also increase its value, making it a smart investment. Also, consider an irrigation system, which will make maintenance more convenient and effective.

Contact local landscape design services for more information and ideas.