No matter the season, taking care of the yard by your house is extremely important. Maintaining a beautiful yard by your house is as much of a choice as it is a responsibility. There are many landscaping techniques that one can choose to keep the yard in a good shape.
It will help in creating a relaxing outdoor space which is beautiful to look at and easy to maintain. In this article, we will mention some easy to do landscaping tips for maintaining a beautiful yard round the year.
1. Get Some Knowledge and Make a Plan
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Even before the landscaping begins, there needs to be a preliminary knowledge about the conditions of the yard. This will include knowing the site and the soil conditions so that one can find plants which will thrive in the climatic conditions. If it seems like too much to do, one can always rely on professionals. For instance, companies like Greenline lawn and landscape can landscape the yards better which can be seen on GreenLine Earth.
Basic knowledge of the soil and the pH one can choose plants that will grow well. Then one has to make a clear plan of where everything will be put. These include not only plants but also fountains, benches, and gravel as a pathway. Easy access to all the plants is important in the layout for future landscaping.
2. Go With Native Plants
Since we have already gone through the soil profile in the initial stage, it will familiarize you with the compatible plants. There are many native varieties that will be suitable for the pH and type of soil in your yard. It is better to pick them over any other exotic species which will take more maintenance.
Native flowering plants will thrive year after year and will require comparatively less maintenance because they can adjust with the weather changes. They are also used to the sun exposure in an area and will also pollinate better with the bees and butterflies.
3. Always Choose Pruning
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Regularly pruning the plants and trees in your yard is very important for their health. Along with the aesthetic appearance of the landscape it is also essential for better growth of the plants and branches. Usually the branches are difficult at the end of winter because of too much snow and ice.
The ideal time to engage in pruning will be in the beginning of spring or at the end of winter. Include completely getting rid of the lower branches of shrubs and trees that are not needed. If there are any shrubs that are summer-flowering, only prune them before any growth begins at the end of winter.
Their new buds will start to come in spring so pruning should be done before that. For spring-flowering shrubs, pruning should be done after the spring flowers have gone; do not cut them off two early as it can hamper the growth of the blossoms.
4. Regularly Remove Leaves
Cleanup plays a big role in landscaping so removing leaves from time to time matters a lot. There are many trees that shed leaves in different seasons so regular clean up might be required. We are not talking about picking up every leaf that falls as soon as it falls. One should clean up at regular intervals so that there is not a huge pile of leaves by the tree.
Using a lake might come in handy but if the ground has been recently water or is already wet, a rake might spread diseases through the ground. Leaves should usually be removed when the temperature is on the higher side so that everything is dry. One can even maintain a compost pile and more organic matter to create compost for the entire yard.
5. Go With More Shrubs and Trees
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Shrubs and trees are the bones of a yard and provide structure to the landscape. They last for a long time and provide greenery for decades if well maintained. Flowering plants usually require more maintenance but shrubs and trees have some volume to the yard which gives it a more solid appearance.
If one is thinking of improving the aesthetic appearance with minimal maintenance they will get many varieties with shrubs and trees. One can even go for colorful leaves and foliage. Trees that provide fruits and flowers can also be chosen to brighten up the atmosphere.
6. Be On the Lookout for Weeds
Weeds are pests in plant form. These are invasive to the native plants and very aggressive in growing. They compete for nutrients and water with the plants and can hamper their growth in the long run if not removed as early as possible.
It is best to be on the lookout for weeds and remove them on sight. When you are mowing the grass do not make it too short and allow the clippings to fall back on to the lawn. It will also be advisable to not fertilize the ground during spring because it promotes growth of both good and unwanted plants.
Underwatering can also lead to the growth of unwanted plants and so can over watering. It is also better to designate an area to wild flowers to create a balanced out aesthetic appearance. Using herbicides will also be a good idea at regular intervals depending on temperature conditions. Apply them evenly and on the entire lawn for the best results.
7. Make Groups
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Making groups is an easy landscaping technique which will save time on watering and maintenance. Plants with similar needs should be grouped together so that they can be watered the same and taken care of together. Depending on how you arrange it, they can also be very pleasing to see.
The Takeaway
Landscaping can be made easy when one goes for better aesthetics with minimal maintenance. This can be done with the right choice of plants and regular cleaning. Choosing flowering plants and maintaining the balance with trees is what gives a yard a beautiful look.
