When we think of back yard landscaping design today, global warming and the instability of summer and winter weather patterns has brought a new aspect into focus. No longer can we count on having plenty of water or typical summer and winter temperatures. When you’re planning your back yard landscaping, it’s wise to think of drought tolerant plants which will remain attractive despite unexpected heat waves or rationing of water.
Our busy schedules make it sensible to think of low maintenance solutions, while making the best use of space available in the back yard. Landscaping for practicality and beauty may seem like a tall order, but with careful planning, you can easily accomplish both objectives.
The back yard is typically where the family gathers for summer barbecues, play time for the children and other activities. Many families now plant a vegetable garden, both for the freshest organic produce and savings at the grocery store. Your back yard landscaping need not have an unattractive, utilitarian appearance just because you want function and beauty. Here’s how to approach the task and have both.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or doing a makeover of your existing landscaping, measure your back yard carefully, marking trees, pathways, decks and other garden features you aren’t planning on changing. Map it all out on graph paper.
If you have a large span of lawn, but you’d like to put in a vegetable garden, raised beds are the way to go. Just three 4′ x 4′ square beds are enough to supply the average family with all the veggies you can eat. A southern exposure is best. If you can situate your raised beds near the back fence, this is ideal, in terms of making the most of your back yard landscaping space. Depending on your climate zone, you might consider an espalier along the fence to grow fruit trees. Garden netting, anchored a foot from the fence, makes an efficient area in which to grow garden peas, beans or a fabulous summer display of morning glories.
If you have kids, you’ll want to allocate space for a play area. Fool around with your space on paper, or with garden software, until you’ve found a plan that keeps youngsters out of the flower beds or trampling through your veggies!
If you have a deck or patio, this is probably where you’ll want outdoor furniture and the barbecue. Now is the time to think about lighting in your back yard landscaping design workup. A good lighting plan allows you to make better use of your back yard during those balmy summer evenings.
Consider how your design will look, viewed from indoors as well. Placing flower beds with this in mind doubles your enjoyment, as nice to see from inside as out. Check online for drought tolerant, low maintenance annuals and perennials. Most ground covers satisfy both requirements. You’ll find many ground-hugging plants which tolerate foot traffic as well.
Making your own back yard landscaping design can be a lot of fun and bring you personal satisfaction too. When you’ve got your design worked out, pass it by your local nursery expert. These professionals may offer suggestions that will bring your plan to perfection. Once you’ve done your planting, all you need do is sit back and enjoy your efficient, yet lovely design!