Top Pro 5 Tips on Doing Your Own Landscape Project
Sara Reeves Photo
Home gardens and do-it-yourself landscape projects experienced a huge boost in popularity over the past two years, and the trend shows no signs of stopping! More time at home has given us all more time to contemplate how to start a landscape project, and how to use our spaces in a way that better fits our families and our lifestyles. As a result, many are dreaming up backyard landscaping ideas, including small backyard landscaping ideas that make everyday living more enjoyable.
Looking to get started on your project but aren’t sure how (or where) to get started? Our trained professionals have helped countless homeowners turn ideas into lasting landscapes, and these five tips will help you start strong.
1.Take an inventory of your existing landscape features. When you think about spending time in your outdoor spaces, what are you missing? One of the biggest DIY landscaping tips we give customers is simple: start by evaluating what you already have.
Walk your property and ask:
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Where do we actually spend time?
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What feels unfinished?
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What’s missing?
Some examples might include lawn area for playing, garden space for vegetables and herbs, or curb appeal as you drive up to your home. For small backyard landscaping ideas, this step is even more important because every square foot matters
2. Set goals for your project and write them all down. You may not be able to get to them all this year, but keeping them in mind and planning for the future cuts down on double work. If you know that you will want a vegetable garden at some point but you won’t have time to implement one this year, go ahead and figure out a good sunny spot for it this year, and avoid filling it with landscape plants that may have to be relocated in the future.
Before buying plants or materials, define what success looks like.
Are you creating:
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A relaxing outdoor living space?
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A functional family yard?
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A low-maintenance design?
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A backyard that adds long-term property value?
3. Now that you know what you are working with, and have your goals in mind, it’s time to buy plants, right? Not yet! Many DIY landscaping projects fail because homeowners skip this step.
Before heading to the garden center:
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Take pictures from multiple angles
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Measure your space
- Figure out how much sun and at what time of day it gets
Our team will help you match your space with the plants that will work best in it, so the more you know about your space, the better the match.
4. Ok, now you can head to the garden center! Choose Plants With Purpose. At Good Earth, we believe that the best plants for landscaping are the ones that fit your space long-term, not just the ones that look good in the container. That’s why our inventory is organized by sun needs; plants that love full sun are grouped together and shade to part-sun plants are grouped together. Within each category, there are evergreen and deciduous plants, one that blooms and others that don’t.
For small backyard landscaping ideas, scale is everything. Smaller trees, structured shrubs, and layered perennials can make a compact yard feel intentional instead of crowded. The same principle applies to larger backyard landscaping ideas, that choosing plants that match the size and proportions of your space creates balance and long-term success.
Don’t get overwhelmed, we have team members available to help you every step of the way!
5. Take your haul home, place plants where you think they should go, stand back and look at them, then adjust as needed. Then plant! Proper planting is key to long term plant success. Soil preparation, planting depth, and watering technique all matter. Done correctly, your backyard landscaping ideas will establish faster and require less correction later.
Learn How To Start A Landscape Project With The Good Earth Garden!
Learning how to start a landscape project doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With thoughtful planning, the right plant choices, and a clear vision for your space, you can create a landscape that grows more beautiful and functional year after year.
We have you covered here too, with numerous helpful blog posts and videos with detailed information on all kinds of topics, including:
Starting a DIY Landscaping Project? Read This First…
Landscape Design Tips for the DIY Homeowner
To find out all kinds of helpful information, visit our online Learning Center. If your landscape is showing signs of winter stress right now, be sure and check this blog post out, Plant Recovery After a Hard Freeze.
