This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of TruGreen. The opinions and text are all mine.
In November of last year, my husband and I moved into our newly built custom dream house with our three boys. The house is stunning, and I still wake up every morning in awe of how perfectly it turned out. But the real appeal of the spot is the six acres of rolling prairie it sits on.
Since we moved into the house so late in the fall, we didn’t have a chance to do much landscaping. So, I can’t wait to get outside and do some landscaping this year! We have shelterbelt trees on the way, lilacs and berry bushes for borders, summer bulbs to plant and a deck to build.
With so much to do, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about everything I want in our yard, and how to get it. And I’ve also discovered some landscaping tips for anyone planning their own backyard makeover! Whether you’re doing a minor refresh or a full overhaul, keep these four tips in mind to help you along.
1) Plan (and Draw) It Out
Start the process by making a list of all the elements you want for your yard. For our family, that was a large garden, fruit trees, a fire pit, a place for the kids to play and ample deck seating for entertaining. Next, draw out a rough sketch of the yard and start planning where you’d like each element to be. (Make sure to include any existing features in your drawing!)
I used a very simple drawing to start making plans for our yard and since it was a new build, the only obstacles I had were the septic tank and mound. I planned the rest of the yard by walking over the space frequently, noticing where the dips and rolls in the land were. Then I positioned the different areas to work with the flow of the land in the best way possible.
2) Decide On a Focal Point
When I was researching landscaping ideas, one concept kept reappearing again and again: every yard should have a focal point. Its purpose is to draw a person’s eye to the yard, so that they will then notice and admire the rest of the surrounding landscape.
This was a hard concept for me, because with so much land around us, I feel like our house is the focal point. So, I’ll be accenting that with two Scots pine trees placed on either side of the house and some flowers in front of the deck. For smaller yards, a pretty bench or a birdbath also make beautiful focal points.
3) Learn Your Trees
If you’re new to gardening, you might find yourself overwhelmed by the sheer number of trees, shrubs and even grass seed varieties you have to choose from. And choosing too quickly could be a mistake if you’re not sure about what the plants are like in their maturity. In front of my previous house, for example, was a large Cottonwood Poplar that showered me with sticky seed pods and cottony seeds for most of the spring and summer months.
Before you spend your hard-earned money, make sure you know how large your trees and shrubs will grow, how much maintenance they will require and what kind of growing pattern they have. There are trees that spread like weeds and trees that look beautiful but need heavy care to stay healthy. Make sure the ones you choose will suit your landscape and your gardening time!
4) Plan Your Maintenance
Depending on whether you love gardening and working outdoors or prefer spending your time lounging on the deck to scrounging in the dirt, planning your yard to suit your commitment level is a must. There are some great low-maintenance choices available for people that want to minimize yard work, from eco-friendly grass varieties that require less mowing to stylish rock gardens that provide zero-maintenance beauty.
And if you know you won’t have time to protect trees from insects or spray for weeds, considering hiring a helping hand! TruGreen lawn and yard services offers comprehensive packages for lawn and tree maintenance that includes fertilizing, weed control, insect control, overseeding and more! Get a quote to see how affordable maintaining your dream yard can be.
Once your dream yard has come to fruition, it’s time to have fun with a few pretty and easy finishing touches! Check out the infographic below for some easy ways to upgrade your back yard and patio. Then have fun making your yard an oasis that the whole family will love.
