Thinking of your yard as an outdoor living space rather than just a lawn and some plants can be challenging at first. Knowing how to landscape your backyard involves more than just picking plants that you like and hoping for the best. There are many factors to consider when landscaping, including lighting, privacy, noise reduction, access points, drainage, and maintenance. If you’re someone who enjoys spending time outside but can’t quite shake the feeling that you could be doing more with the space in your backyard —or any outdoor area of your home—then this article is for you! Whether you have a small urban patio or large suburban lot, there are tricks and tips that can help turn that neglected outdoor space into an oasis while also saving time and money in the process.
Make the most of your space
The first step to landscaping is to determine how much space you have to work with. If you have a small patio or balcony, you’re going to want to make the most of that space. One way to do this is to turn to ground covers. Ground covers are a great choice if you have limited space, especially if you want to create a lush, green look. While you can use them on patios, walkways, and even against walls, ground covers are at their best when they’re allowed to spread out across the ground. This can help turn a small neglected space into a lush oasis without a lot of effort.
Rotate your plants
Not only will this help keep your garden healthy, but it also saves time and money by preventing pests and diseases from taking hold. When you change which plants are receiving the most sunlight, water, and nutrients, you prevent pests and diseases from building up to the point where they become a serious problem. This is particularly important when growing plants indoors. While you may be tempted to leave your house plants in the same place year after year, rotating them can help reduce the likelihood of pests and diseases setting in.
Repurpose items you already have
One of the best ways to save time when landscaping is to repurpose as many materials as possible. If you have old pallets or wood boards lying around, for example, you can use them to build raised beds and garden borders. Old pots and planters can be repurposed into hanging planters and garden art. You can also repurpose old bricks to build raised garden beds, walkways, and patios. This is a great way to add character and style to any outdoor space.
Set up zone gardens
Instead of planting one large garden in a random pattern, consider setting up a few smaller garden areas. Make sure to place each of these in an area that gets the right amount of sunlight. This will make it easier to keep your plants healthy and growing, plus it will save you time and money by reducing the amount of fertilizer and water needed. If you have children or pets, you can also use this method to make sure that certain plants are out of reach. Zone gardens can also be used to create unique and interesting designs. This is a great way to incorporate your interests and style into your landscaping.
Use edging to save time and money
Edging is a great way to give your landscaping a professional look as well as save you time and money on maintenance. It’s also a great way to use materials you would have otherwise thrown away, such as old pieces of metal, bricks, or even broken pottery. Edging can be used to define a path, create a border, or even edge a lawn. It’s a quick and easy way to add interest and style to your yard without a lot of effort.
Add walkways and patios
Many homeowners overlook the importance of walkways and patios as part of their landscaping. While a patio or walkway doesn’t necessarily add to the aesthetic of your yard, it’s an important part of a functional outdoor space. It also saves you time and money by extending the life of your lawn. When you have a patio or walkway, you don’t have to walk directly on your lawn. This helps prevent foot traffic from compacting the soil and breaking down the grass roots. It also helps prevent weeds from growing in your lawn.
Lay turf
While many people prefer to plant traditional gardens, synthetic lawns are a great option if you want the look of a lush green lawn but don’t have the time or resources to maintain it. Synthetic lawns are perfect for condos, apartments, and smaller yards where space is limited. When you choose to install synthetic turf, you don’t have to water or mow it. You can also install it over an existing lawn to make it look lush and green without the time or effort that maintaining a natural lawn would require.
Grow food
If you have a large backyard, you may not have the space to grow your own food. But the good news is, you don’t have to have a lot of space to grow a few sprouts with a garden hose. This is a great way to add some extra fresh produce to your diet while also saving time and money. You can also make it a family project by growing different types of sprouts with different kids. These are just a few ways to add functionality to your outdoor space while saving time and money. There are many more ways to do this, so be creative and turn that neglected outdoor space into something useful and valuable.
Conclusion
There are a lot of ways that you can make your outdoor space more useful and enjoyable to spend time in. From small additions like adding a few potted plants to large scale additions like building a deck, there are lots of ways that you can improve your outdoor living space. And the best part is that many of these projects are relatively cheap and easy to do, especially if you’re doing them yourself!
If you need professional consultation for your landscaping design and development, please contact Master Groups