10 Landscape Design Tips from SmartDraw
SmartDraw is a great tool to help you plan out your landscape designs - download a free trial today!
Plan Before you Plant. To best utilize the space you have for your landscaping project, sketch your design ideas out on paper first. This is what SmartDraw is perfect for! Create a quick drawing of what you'd like to plant where, and then just follow your guide. SmartDraw includes graphics of all kinds of plants, shrubs and other landscape elements that you simply drag and drop onto the page.
Click here to see other landscape design plans made with SmartDraw.
Structure. Large trees provide a great framework for your landscape plan. They have multiple benefits including shading and structure. It is common practice to plant them in "3's" for the balance it provides, and in the event one of the trees does not take well to the soil.
Focal Point. Your design should have one major focus that the rest of the landscape showcases. A backyard pool would be a perfect focal point, as would an old oak tree, or a dramatic architectural element of the house itself.
Enthusiasm. If you are planning on tending to your garden with enthusiasm, then do not hesitate to plant vegetables and flowerbeds. If you enjoy the color a garden provides, but not necessarily the labor, then focus on collecting a vibrant assortment of easy-to-maintain potted plants.
Careful Inspection. When buying plants for your garden, take your time and inspect them for parasites and disease. Buy your plants from nurseries - they tend to take better care of their plants than large retailers.
Keep your Distance. Maintain a proper distance between each plant when planting them into soil. This will help air flow and prevent issues related to disease and insect infestation.
Climate. Generally your local nursery will stock plants and flowers best suited to your climate. But if you are ordering online or through a catalog, their stock will include everything, so be sure to check for the plant's ideal needs for sunshine and temperature.
Peek in on the Neighbors. Great inspiration may come from peeking in on the neighbors. Take a look at what their landscape plans entail and see which plants and trees are thriving. Also keep in mind that there may be a value in designing in a similar style to the homes nearest yours.
Frequent Visits. Don't plant and forget. It takes constant care to maintain a beautiful landscape. Wander your yard daily and enjoy the fruits of your labor, plus you can survey which plants may need extra attention and even pull a few weeds (before they get out of hand).
Good Investment. A nicely landscaped yard will add value to your house, and the "curb appeal" that helps sell homes quickly.
Click here to see other landscape design plans made with SmartDraw.
