The weather is nice and warm, which means its that time again. Time to work in the yard. Whether you’re starting from scratch with a new home and new yard, or you’re just maintaining, there’s always plenty to do outside. Here’s some great advice from http://www.seasonedhomemaker.com/how-to-landscape/
“I have helped design landscapes for a few friends and when I ask about their budget I always get the glassy stare. Most people will give me a figure that is in the $200-$500 range. I usually tell them to let me know when they have something in the $800 – $1000 range. The reason ~ plants, mulch, rental equipment, hardscape material, etc. These things aren’t cheap and they add up fast. For instance a 15′ x 15′ bed will require about 15-20 bags of mulch. In the Austin area this will run you approximately $3-$4 per bag. When you do the math it is easy to see that your $200 isn’t going to buy you many plants.”
“Now that you have a budget, begin by making a list of things you want and need in your landscape. Think long and hard about how you will use the area? Do you have children that want a playscape or trampoline? Do you have a large dog that needs space to run around? Do you want to have a covered seating area? Are you dreaming of a large vegetable garden? Are there plans for one day adding a pool, outdoor kitchen, or fire pit? Don’t forget the paths. List all of these things.
“Remember this picture. It is our original drawing for the backyard landscape. We spent a lot of time thinking about what we wanted and how we would use it. What we’ve created is similar, but we had to have a place to start.”
“One of the biggest mistakes beginning landscapers make is not paying attention to things like the sun, wind, and rain. Since we live in an area with new houses I’m seeing a lot of landscaping that doesn’t respect the elements.
Placing a patio on the sunny side of your house can be pure misery in August. You also don’t want to place your grill or fire pit next to a windy corner. That pretty patio umbrella can become a missile if it’s placed in the wrong spot. Before we started our backyard landscape we stood outside while it was raining and watched where the water drained ~ on a couple of occasions in the middle of the night with flash lights.”
Let Jorgenson Builders help you with any decks, pergolas, or patios. We love to work outside!
