Planning for a Landscaping Installation, By Pattie Hughes

Planning is the most important step in your landscaping project. You should have a basic idea of what you want, or get inspired with a visit to your local nursery or by browsing through gardening magazines. Make notes and cut out pictures of designs you find appealing. When you meet with a landscaping contractor, bring your notes and pictures.

Choosing Plants for Landscaping

Don't Feed the Animals

What pests are common to your area? Rodents, bugs, deer and rabbits can do a lot of damage to your garden beds. It's frustrating as well as a waste of money to plant a feast for the wild animals in your neighborhood. Choose plants that the animals in your area don't like to eat. Your landscape professional will be knowledgeable in this area.

A landscape professional can help you choose the best plants for your situation.

Consider adding water features to your landscaping. The sight and sound of water is soothing and fountains add to the overall look of your landscape. These features range from cheap to expensive. Some can be easily installed by the homeowner, although the more decorative and elaborate fountains require professional installation. Your landscape professional can help you choose the best style to go with your garden and home design.

Saving Water with Xeriscape

Whether you are interested in conserving water or are just too lazy to water the beds frequently, you may want to consider xeriscape. Xeriscape plants require very little water. They are resistant to drought problems and can stand up to very dry conditions. In addition, these plants are economical in terms of your water bill.

Xeriscaping plants include ornamental grasses, cacti, aloe, natural wildflowers and many other plants. Ask your contractor for information on these plants if you are interested in hardy, drought-resistant plants. For more information on planning and designing xeriscape: http://www.commonsensecare.com/xeriscape.html

Xeriscape includes more than just flowers and plants. Other elements, such as rock gardens, fountains and hardscape are used in landscape plans. Walkways, patios and other features that reduce the grassy areas of your yard are also included.

Working with a Landscape Professional

There are many benefits to hiring a landscape architect. The landscape architect will meet with you to discuss your needs and what you hope to accomplish, and can help you choose the best plants for your situation. He or she can help with placement in the yard that will be best for these plants to flourish.

After you've met with the landscaping professional, he will draw up a landscape plan. Measurements will be taken of your yard. These will be scaled down for the plan on paper. The plan will show your house, patio, pathways, fountains and garden beds. These plans are a good visual for how the finished design will look.

Discuss maintenance needs when reviewing a landscape plan with your contractor. The landscape professional can give you valuable information about how much care and maintenance the beds will require. If you love to work in the yard and don't mind weeding, let him know. If you know you won't keep up with it, be honest about this. Together you can choose alternative plants and surroundings that require less care.

How will you water it?

Think about how you will water your landscape. Most landscaping needs regular watering, especially when first planted. If you have a lot of watering needs, you may want to consider an irrigation system. These can be integrated easily when landscape is installed. This will be an added expense, but may be well worth the extra cost.

Without an irrigation system, watering your plants may be difficult. You will need to spend quite a bit of time with your hose. If you don't want an irrigation system, you may want to consider adding some xeriscape beds to reduce the need for water. This is especially true if you live in a climate with little rain.