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Annuals or Perennials that's the question
Do I Need Annual or Perennial Plants?
The crocus delights us in early spring as it dares to peek through the snow and lift its face to the sun . Soon after follow tulips, narcissus, iris, lilacs… all perennials that welcome spring with vibrant...
Beware of Toxic Mulch
You are welcome to use this article on your website or in your newsletter as long as you reprint it as is, including the contact information at the end. Website URLs must be active
links. You are welcome to use this article with an affiliate link, ...
Decorating around the garden
Straight Talk On – Decorating Around the Garden Do you live near a park? Most people do – there are so many around now. All levels of government recognize the value of a green environment. And, of course, if people know that government has...
Landscaping Ideas: Discover Desert Landscaping Plants
Life in an arid and dry climate has its benefits and challenges.
I've found desert landscaping to be one of the more interesting
challenges since moving to the Southwest. You're going to want
to spend a little more planning time on your yard than...
What to Look for in Landscape Maintenance Service
What to Look for in Landscape Maintenance Service
When you are in search of a landscape service for your home,
there are quite a few things that you should keep in mind. After
all, not all landscape services are created equal. Care for...
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Laying Out Your New Landscape
When planning your new landscape, the first place to start is by driving around your neighborhood and seeing what other people have done with their landscapes. Bring a sketch pad or digital camera to record things you like. Your next stop is your local nursery or garden center. Look at what plants do well in your area. Look at any displays they have setup to get an idea of which plants work well together. And don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Now comes the planning stage. Get a long tape measure and some graph paper and take some accurate measurements of your yard. The more accurate you are, the more detailed you can be with your plan. Don’t worry though, if you aren’t perfectly accurate. Even if you pace off your yard and get some general measurements, you will be better off than just trying to guess how large an area you are working with.
After the measurements are done, you can use either graph paper and pencils or one of the new software packages that are available. I prefer the software only because it allows you to make changes very quickly and easily, and also allows you to see three-dimensional views of your design. One unique feature is that many software programs allow you to preview your landscape five-, ten-,
twenty- or more years from now! This way you can see how your mature lot will look in the future! This will help prevent over-planting areas.
If you don’t use your computer to lay out your new design, use a piece of graph paper and transfer your measurements to the paper. Begin by laying out the larger elements like trees and shrubs, and then adding the smaller elements around them to complement the design. Also keep in mind the relative heights of the materials you are going to use. When viewing a landscape you want taller items in the back and shorter elements in the front.
This article series will continue over the next couple of issues as I take you through the entire process from planning to planting!
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Find more of Mr. Novosat's writings on his own blog at http://www.novosat.us/wp
About the Author
Dean Novosat is an avid gardener and landscaper. He has transformed many boring yards into beautiful landscapes. He has several websites including http://www.the-garden-doctor.com and http://www.dr-landscape.com.
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