A beautiful garden adds to the decor and is considered a significant part of the home. Therefore, it’s important to have a proper plan in place to beautify your landscaping. Landscape design for your lawn is essential to add an aesthetic touch to the area and include flowering plants and vegetables.
Overview
Whether you are planning to design your garden landscape or simply want to add a couple more designs, there are some critical factors that you have to consider. Most people make the mistake of heading straight to their gardening store to buy supplies and thinking they can get started.
However, a plan in advance will help you choose the correct plants and hardscapes that will best fit your landscaping project. You can also look into getting a more detailed insight into the cost of landscaping.
Important points to consider while planning your landscaping project, or you can contact Michaelangelo for more tips and ideas.
Landscaping can transform your outdoor space into a personal oasis. However, it’s important to consider all aspects of the project, as outlined in this guide. One crucial factor often overlooked is pest control. In Indiana, pest control fort wayne can help ensure your beautifully landscaped garden remains a serene and pest-free environment.
1. The purpose of landscaping
The first thing you must consider is the primary use of your garden. Most people use their outdoor space for entertainment parties, relaxation, picnics, gardening, and as playing areas for their kids. Therefore you should know your purpose while designing your landscape.
2. Budget
While planning your garden landscape, an essential factor that you have to consider is your budget. Nothing can be worse than getting to the end of your project and realizing that you do not have enough funds to finish it. Therefore a budget plan is extremely crucial. Here you can consider the list of changes you want, the different plants you like to include, and the unique features you want to add to your garden.
While making a budget plan, remember to include costs for labour, soil, compost, water, seed, tool plants, and other features like fountains, stones, etc.
3. Consider the theme
You will come across hundreds of themes for your landscape on the Internet. These themes will unify the different areas of your garden and help you select the plants and materials you require. You may consider simple themes like consistent shapes throughout your park or complex designs like an Oriental or relaxation garden.
As your garden is an extension of your house, it is recommended that you select a theme that compliments the architecture of your home. Choosing a theme can be helpful while selecting the plants, hardscape, fencing panels, decorations, and structures for your garden.
4. Climate and the soil type
Another major factor that you must consider is your area’s climatic condition. The climatic condition and the soil type will determine the type of plants you will be growing. So, firstly you have to map your garden, point out the sunny and shady areas, and consider the wind direction. Then consider your growing zone and what you can reasonably grow in your region. For example, you wouldn’t grow oranges in Minnesota. You would need to research the best trees for Minnesota climate. Next, you also need to know about the soil type in your garden. It will impact the underground drainage system, the variety of plants you will be growing, and the pH level.
5. Design and link spaces
To create a unique design, think of your lawn as another room. You can use different materials to create different spaces.
However, do not forget to link these different areas. You can create openings to encourage exploration in your garden so that people move throughout the garden landscape. You could also install fences strategically with the professional help of Cedar Mountain Fence to outline your garden’s spaces.
6. Sunlight
The areas where natural sunlight falls directly on your garden at different hours of the day usually influence the type of plants you will be growing. You can work with a professional to determine which trees, flowers, or shrubs will thrive in full and partial sun.
7. Structure your planting
Consider the different planes and elevations when selecting plants for your landscape. Starting from the top, consider the overhead area where you might include trees and arc ways.
Coming to the main area of your garden cover, you must consider whether you will be closely spacing the plants or keeping some space between them. Here you may consider using medium to small-sized plans.
On the lower plane or the ground area, you can use smaller plants like shrubs and arrange them well as hardscapes and ground covers. Landscape designers always advise keeping the proper spacing between the plants to keep the area cooler and help minimize weeds’ growth.
8. Keep existing plants
Instead of starting from the beginning, you can keep the existing plants and shrubs. However, you must select which plants can be used for your landscape design. You can keep these plants as long as they are not invasive and do not use many resources.
You can also choose plants that play a role apart from aesthetics. For example, many shrubs and ornamental plants can also be used as a barrier or a fence. Reusing existing plants will also save money and is suitable for the environment.
9. Salvaged material
To reduce your ecological footprint and save money, you can use salvaged hardscape materials for designing. You can use stones, bricks, and damaged wooden planks from construction sites or other properties.
10. Native plants
The easiest way to reduce your budget is to use native plants as they do not require much care and are suitable for useful insects.
Home gardens are miniature ecosystems and can offer essential resources for wildlife and local pollinators. So you can use plants that provide nectar, edible berries, seeds, and nest-making materials. To support wildlife, you can also add wildlife-friendly plants and bird baths.
11. Minimize light pollution
If you are planning to add landscape lighting, it is always recommended that you select low-energy use fixtures with light colour and remote control brightness features that will not affect the nighttime environment.
You can always buy low voltage lights (12 volts) instead of 120 volts. Additionally, to be mindful of the nighttime wildlife, you can use lights on a motion sensor to only illuminate whenever required.
12. Maintenance cost
Another essential factor you must consider is whether you can pay for your entire landscape maintenance. To keep the overall cost low, you may choose low-maintenance plants as they do not require much fertilizers and pesticides to bloom.
Endnote
These are the top 12 factors you must consider before planning your garden landscape. You also need to consider how the passage of time will affect your design and plants. So while selecting the resources and plants, consider the growth rate and maintenance requirement. Consult a professional landscape designer who can help you maintain your yard.