Landscaping is one of the most important aspects of your home. The exterior is the first thing people see, whether it’s your family, friends, strangers or prospective homebuyers in your neighborhood. You want to create a good first impression and boost curb appeal to create more value.
When tackling a landscaping project, it’s beneficial to create a list of to-do items long before putting the first shovel in the ground. Landscaping projects take time, effort and financial resources, depending on the extent of the project. If you’ve been wondering how to manage your new goal, you’ve come to the right place.
From making plans to digging the dirt, here’s how to get started with your landscaping project.
1. Set Your Landscaping Goals
The first step in getting started is to set your goals. Without them, it’s challenging to create a step-by-step process of how you’re going to accomplish things. Do you want to improve curb appeal or functionality? Is an aspect of your yard unsafe and needs to be addressed?
Think of the big picture when setting a goal at this stage. You don’t need to plan every detail — that’s for later. Your primary objectives may include sustainability, erosion control, privacy, themes, a particular atmosphere you want to set, whether you want more plants or hardscape areas, and any entertainment elements to add.
2. Evaluate Your Site
Next, you should conduct a thorough evaluation of your site. Your landscaping design should complement your home. Consider your yard space and ensure it’s large enough to accommodate all the activities or features you want to add. Other site considerations include maintenance requirements, seasonality, zoning and permits, and the time of year you plan on starting.
This site analysis allows you to see what you have to work with. Take photos of the property and note things that are already there, like trees and structures. Measure the dimensions and get the layout of the topography. After a rainfall, see how water stays in your yard. Consider any hazards, where the sun hits, how hard the wind blows, your region’s planting zone, soil type, piping below the ground and even if there are pests.
3. Create a Budget
Perhaps one of the most important stages of getting started with your landscaping project is creating a budget. Without one, you can easily spend more money than you intended. In the previous step, you’ve taken an inventory of things you already have on-site. You can salvage bricks and cement blocks from hardscaping or plants hidden beneath brush and omit them from your budget.
If you need additional help in this area, you can always hire a professional or source a friend who has gone through a landscaping renovation. They can help you establish a plan and consider not-so-obvious costs, like run-off drainage systems. Be upfront with yourself and a landscape professional about costs. Landscaping is valuable to a home, so you might want to budget about 10% of your home’s value. Also, consider the return on investment for this project.
4. Make a Plan
Now you can make a more solidified plan for your landscaping project. This is where you’ll create rough sketches of your intended design, the spacing of objects, traffic flow and more. The first few drafts of your ideal landscape probably won’t look the best, but you can add details and reevaluate them so you don’t miss anything. Additionally, consider if you need to demolish structures or level land at this stage.
Using pen and paper or a computerized model, create a grid to help you scale items in your landscaping and make a more detailed version of your previous sketches. If you make multiple grids with your fixed features, you can play around with the layout of other items, like shrubs, patios, an outdoor kitchen or maybe the pool you want to add. Once you settle on a design, draw the final plan.
5. Choose Your Materials
Once you’ve designed your ideal landscaping layout, you can choose the materials to complete your look. Consider things like plants, hardscaping, water features, irrigation systems and lighting when choosing your additions. You’ll likely add plants, so make sure to select ones that thrive in your climate. A good rule of thumb is to plant native species, which require little maintenance, add biodiversity and conserve water.
Other features are up to your preferences. Your hardscapes might include brick, cobblestone or cement slabs. Perhaps you choose an ornate water feature to tie in elements of your backyard. You can use lights to accent features, illuminate pathways or provide security. Consider solar-powered installations to enhance sustainability and energy efficiency. The materials should be all about your design and the look you’re aiming for with your home.
6. Assemble a Team
Finally, you can assemble a team of people that will help you complete your landscaping project. Whether you enlist the help of family and friends or hire a contractor and other experts is up to you and your budget. If you decide to hire landscape contractors or designers, ensure they have industry experience and certifications so you know they’ll be professional and get the job done.
Set your expectations for the team. You should have clear goals for them and a detailed outline of what you want them to accomplish. However, keep in mind that land shifts over time and that once they’re gone, you’re in charge of maintaining your property.
Get to Work
Now you can get started with the grunt work of your landscaping project. Soon, your yard will be looking brand new and will fit your functionality and aesthetic.
Author bio: Rose Morrison is the managing editor of Renovated, where she offers advice on home renovation, maintenance, and organization.nd slow-paced lifestyle now, because your little ones will be back in school before you know it!
