The first (and last) time I was approached by a professional landscaper, he lost the job before he ever began it. Why? We met, he said he'd come up with a plan, and within a few days he gave us a very elaborate and professional video presentation....and then gave us his bid....$85,000.00. Yes...you counted right...5 zeros and an 8 and a 5. This was for the backyard and 1/2 of it was already a pool.
He was so young and stylish and ambitious, that to this day I feel guilty for not telling him a very important #1 lesson from a cranky old poor lady....ask the simple question right up front....
"WHAT IS YOUR BUDGET?"
No matter how big or small....we all have one don't we?
His assumption offended us. We ended up doing our own landscaping, with our own ideas,
for 1/10th of his price.
Divide your budget into short and long term....landscape is a forever love and task.
STYLE
The most important thing in a landscape project is to evaluate and select your style...usually this is based on your home. Do you live in a rock house with French persuasion? A Cozy Cottage? A Rambling Ranch? A Southwest Adobe? A Texas Hill Country Farmhouse?
Spend time driving around neighborhoods, browsing Pinterest or blogs....choose what appeals to you and save to a folder, whether virtual or real. If your home is on the plain side, your little garden out front can define your style.
FOCAL POINT
This could be a specimen tree, a fountain, a large pot, a statement rock, a garden statue or something zen. Your focal point alone can be the one wow factor on which all other elements build.
remember...think wow!
This is also the time you might incorporate other hard-scape into your home style...like window shutters or boxes, garage door hinges, porch lanterns and other embellishments that will make the world of difference to the entire feel of your nest.
THE REST
THE REST
After you have chosen your style and your focal point, begin to build around that. If you have chosen a large Mediterranean pot, you might also consider a hedge of lavender. Then you might find that grasses or more pots, or rocks might add just what you need! Consider zero-scape and perennials, but don't be afraid to plant some annuals. Annuals can be changed each season for a new and different look and can be quite rewarding if you enjoy gardening.
Things to consider if you are very busy or travel...make your plot easy to care for. Also, if you live in a drought area...purchase plants that won't die if you can only water on a time grid.
Another tip....just because your local box store sells $12.99 Italian Cypress does not mean you will successfully grow Italian Cypress....in our landscape we have lost 13 Italian Cypress. The first 5 taught us not to pay $100 a tree...the next 8 taught us that we don't live in Italy...this year we will replace them with something else, which will still be an experiment because all 13 we purchased were in our zone range. BOO!
Another tip....just because your local box store sells $12.99 Italian Cypress does not mean you will successfully grow Italian Cypress....in our landscape we have lost 13 Italian Cypress. The first 5 taught us not to pay $100 a tree...the next 8 taught us that we don't live in Italy...this year we will replace them with something else, which will still be an experiment because all 13 we purchased were in our zone range. BOO!
SPRING INTO ACTION MATTIE AND COACH BEEN...but be patient. These things can take time and while it is wonderful to be able to landscape your front yard in a weekend...there's always a great deal of pleasure in having a worthy project...ongoing...that make your muscles tired and sore...that after being weekend warriors...you can sit back, together in your adirondack chairs with a nice glass of Merlot and an ice cold Miller's in an frosty OSU mug....and admire the results of your
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landscape plan
***All photos are my own or via pinterest...if they belong to you, please contact me and I will be most happy to give full credit to you
