Sunday, March 04, 2007

Planning A Beautiful Backyard Landscaping Design

There are few things in life more enjoyable than relaxing in a beautiful outdoor living space that you have created. This scene can be easier to attain than you might think. With some planning and research, your backyard landscaping design can become an outdoor oasis for your entire family to enjoy.

Before you start working that soil, you need to plan your backyard landscaping design by what your family will use the space for. Will you need an area for the kids to play? Do you intend to do much outdoor entertaining? Or are you mainly planning to use the space for relaxation and quiet family get-togethers? Perhaps you want space for all of these activities, and your backyard landscaping design can incorporate areas for all of them.

Don't simply formulate your plan in your mind however, draw a sketch of your backyard landscaping design, or invest in a computer program that will allow you to create a backyard landscaping design similar to what professional landscape architects will construct.

Plant Selection For Your Backyard Landscaping Design

Once you have an idea of the areas you would like to include into your backyard landscaping design, it is time to begin researching the types of plants you want to bring in. Find plants that will do well in the area you live in, so that maintenance will be minimal. Your local nursery or extension office can be a valuable source of information to learn which plants are guaranteed thrivers in your area. Don't be afraid to include a variety of trees and shrubs, but maintaining some consistency or symmetry to the size, color and textures of your plants will make your backyard landscaping design pleasing to the eye.

You also want to consider each area that you will be planting in. Do you have a shady corner, or an area that gets unusually windy? Constant, harsh sunlight will require plants that are more drought tolerant. Perhaps you will find that a shade tree in a strategic spot will cut down of air conditioning costs within your home. It is a good idea to evaluate a location for a few days to see what the conditions of that spot might be. This will ensure that your backyard landscaping design will include plants that will grow well.

A beautiful backyard to enjoy begins with a comprehensive backyard landscaping design. Spend some time dreaming about the yard you would like to live in, get your ideas on paper, and then let the planting begin!

For more about backyard landscaping design, go to http://www.LandscaperBasics.com