Landscaping complements and accents your home, providing curb appeal or a backyard oasis for gatherings of friends and family. But if you launch into a landscaping project without being properly prepared, it can quickly turn into a nightmare, leading to costly mistakes and dissatisfaction. Our landscaping professionals in Kingsport want to help you avoid catastrophe, so they’ve developed this guide with helpful steps so you can prepare for your perfect landscaping project that will completely transform your space.
Step 1: Assess your space
Before you begin moving dirt, take some time to familiarize yourself with the size and shape of your yard. Pay attention to the areas that receive full sun, partial sun or are in complete shade. Our Kingsport landscaping specialists recommend testing the pH of your soil because this will determine the types of plants that will thrive in your yard. Do you have existing vegetation? If so, what will you keep, and what do you plan to remove?
Step 2: Set your goals
Some people want curb appeal while others want to create a space that’s conducive to entertaining, relaxing or outdoor dining. Do you want a vegetable, herb or flower garden? Or is privacy and security paramount in your design? Some people also choose to use sustainable landscaping practices to conserve water and support local wildlife. So what’s your landscaping goal? Your answer to this question will help you determine your design and the plants you will use.
Step 3: Create your landscaping plan
Now that you’ve looked around at the space and pinpointed the goals for your new landscape, it’s time to think about and create your plan. It’s helpful to draw a rough sketch of your yard that includes all landscaping features and vegetation you plan to keep. Next, determine “zones” for different uses: Where will you put your garden? Where will the grill go? Do you have patio tables or a designated play area? Sketch them in! Decide the landscaping style that will complement your home and preferences. It’s also time to choose your plants that are suited to the Kingsport, TN climate and soil. Be sure that the plants and structures you choose are the appropriate scale and proportion to your landscaping space.
Step 4: Determine and prepare your landscaping budget
Now that you have a clear vision of what you want, set your budget, paying particular attention to the costs of:
- Plants and trees
- Hardscaping — the non-living elements of landscaping, including patios and decks, walkways, water features, pergolas, retaining walls, driveways and fences.
- Irrigation systems to water your landscaping
- Professional assistance if you plan to hire help
Step 5: Complete your first small project
Starting with a small flower bed, pathway or planting project can help you feel you’re making progress, develop your landscaping skills and build your confidence. Use this time to learn about planting correctly and using compost and mulch, pruning, watering and weeding.
Step 6: Always be on the lookout for inspiration and advice
Part of the fun with landscaping is that it’s always a work in progress. Keep your eyes peeled for ideas you love in gardening magazines and websites and local gardens and parks. Attend local workshops and classes, or consult with landscaping professionals like ours in Kingsport.
Create a beautiful landscape for your home
Starting a landscaping project is exciting and can also be intimidating. Done correctly, it can also be rewarding. Don’t expect perfection from day one. Remember that plants and trees have to mature, so patience is key. If you need the help of experienced and qualified professionals, call us at Promier Landscapes, (423) 872-2988, or contact us online today.