Landscaping 101: Tips and Ideas for Even the Smallest of Yards
Landscaping can seem a little overwhelming to the beginner gardener, there are so many questions; when is the best time to plant trees? Which plants should I put in my front yard? Even for the experienced gardener, there are so many options liking choosing between a patio or decking. DIY Landscaping doesn’t have to be a daunting task if you know what you’re doing, so we’ve put together some ideas and tips to suit every gardener and their yard.
First things first… You should be able to enjoy your yard year-round, so plan for year-round appeal. You can add color, texture, points of interest, to achieve the look you want. Choosing some evergreen trees and shrubs will provide cover even in the colder months as they don’t shed their leaves in fall. Experts suggest placing shrubs near the corners of the house to help soften the vertical lines of the house and give a more inviting feel. Using evergreen trees to do this means that you’ll get cover and a wonderful vibrant scene year-round. So, when is the best time to plant trees? The best time to plant trees, particularly evergreen green trees is early spring. If you’re in a state that experiences snowfall, it’s best to wait until early spring when the soil has thawed, and there isn’t any frost. Planting trees in early spring mean that they get to enjoy all the lovely spring rain and cool weather. You can plant evergreens throughout the spring months, as long as they get plenty of water. Alternatively, you can plant your trees in late fall, before the ground freezes. Trees like evergreens prefer cooler weather and plenty of water so the summer-time heat isn’t the best time to plant them.
Stepping stones…
Landscaping your front yard can boost the curb appeal of your yard and it adds interest to your lawn. Instead of trampling across the lawn, you’ve worked hard to keep green and tidy, add a walkway. Walkways are a wonderful way to protect the lawn (and your shoes) when going from the street to your front door, and they can be used in the back yard to connect points of interest like a patio and a water feature, or a fire pit. Pathways around your yard really connect elements to each other. When choosing the materials for your walkway, consider using a similar material to what’s used on the exterior of your house. Using similar materials, like brick or stone for example, for your stepping stones will tie the pathway in with the style of your home. An outdoor escape… Your yard should be an extension of your home and should be lived in year-round too. Landscaping and adding outdoor seating areas can help you get the most out of your garden and can provide a little garden escape. Stroll down the pathway, appreciate your beautiful flowers, and relax in your own little personal paradise at the bottom of the garden.  Take advantage of any yard size
For your outdoor seating area, you’ve got plenty of choices, decking, and patio being the two most popular. When choosing the right option for you, there are a couple of things to consider; style, maintenance, and functionality.
There are many different styles and varieties of materials for both patios and decking. To tie in the seating area with the aesthetic of the house, again, it would be recommended to match the material to the materials used on the exterior of your home. For example, if you’ve got an older, stone house, a rustic patio made up of stone would tie in beautifully with the overall look. Similarly, wooden decking would really compliment a timber-clad home.
Decking can be installed quickly, especially if raised above ground level, and can be slightly cheaper (depending on the material used). Decking does require a little more maintenance though as it will require regular oiling to keep its color and integrity. This treatment will also help with the longevity of your decking, as untreated softwood decking doesn’t tend to last as long. It’s also worth noting that decking can become quite slippery in the colder months so if you experience snowfall and frost and worry about ice, a patio may be a better option for you. Patios can take a little longer to install as construction may be needed underneath the patio (especially if you’re in an area with a lot of ground movement, reinforcement will be needed). Patios can be more expensive than decking but they don’t require as much maintenance and tend to last longer.  Perennial assortment
Small back yards and tricky spaces…
Some may find difficulty in landscaping small backyards or backyards where grass doesn’t grow but there are plenty of options for spaces like this. In backyards that are concreted or where grass doesn’t grow, one can add color with potted plants. Perennial plants are plants that flower year after year and they can be used to add pops of color to your potted garden. Perennials like coneflower, monarda, wild columbine, Siberian iris, and hydrangeas are all suitable for colder climates as they’re very hardy. Using evergreen shrubs will provide year-round color. Including climbing plants like clematis (also suitable for colder climates) on a trellis can also help to add color to small back yards as they don’t take up much space. There’s no yard too small or too tricky for landscaping, you just have to get a little creative with how you use the space. Including small water, features can also add a sense of escapism to your space.
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