Outdoor landscaping plays a vital role in enhancing the home’s beauty and value; yet, for many, professional landscaping can be a pricey proposition. There are some landscaping projects that homeowners can do themselves– saving money while they’re at it. Explore our landscaping tips and projects…many are easier than you think.
Planning
There is a definite recipe for success for do-it-yourself landscaping to ensure long term growth and beauty: planning; plant selection; proper soil improvement; use of edgings; group plantings; effective use of mulching materials; and proper feeding and care of plants over time.
Planting
Adding flowers to your garden will create instant beauty. A few planting tips to keep in mind:
- Select healthy, quality plants, annuals or perennials.
- Choose the proper location in your garden to plant, based on the light requirements for your plant (shade, sun, partial sun)
- Amend your soil with a quality garden soil.
- Plant your flowers as soon as possible after bringing them home from the nursery or garden center.
- Once your plants are in the ground feed and water them.
For a detailed step-by-step guide to planting, check out our planting projects!
Mulching
Mulching is another do-it-yourself landscaping project that can enhance the beauty of property. A quality mulch is ideal for beautifying and accenting your garden beds all year long. It also provides numerous benefits to soil and the plants growing in it. Mulch reduces erosion, conserves moisture, increases infiltration and percolation (the movement of water into and around in the soil), reduces and/or inhibits weed growth, and insulates the soil (keeping it warmer in winter and cooler in summer).
For proper mulching, first, remove weeds and rocks from application area. Then spread the mulch over the soil surface around and between plants. For plants with low-hanging branches, gently lift the branches and spread mulch completely under the plants. For seeded flowers and vegetables, wait until seeds germinate and plants have begun to develop before applying mulch. Apply 2 to 4 inches of mulch, depending on the size of the plants being mulched. For smaller annuals or seeded plants, apply lesser amount, but cover the soil surface. Yearly additions of smaller amounts will replenish the mulch and improve its appearance. Avoid piling mulch directly against the bark of trees as this may encourage insect attack and bark decay. Also avoid direct contact with house foundations or wood structures.