The most important things to consider when designing your yard are the types of plants you choose. While native plants are always better, you can also choose non-native plants that are suitable for your area. Then, plan your yard and landscape around the different blooming times of the plants. This way, you’ll have a better looking yard than you thought possible! Here are some of the best practices to follow when designing your landscape:

Natural edging

If you are looking for a way to improve the curb appeal of your yard, consider installing a natural landscape edging. There are a few options for this, depending on your budget and time commitment. Here are a few examples of how to create a better-looking landscape edge:

Wood: Cedar and redwood are both great options for landscape edging because of their water resistance. However, these materials can be expensive. A better choice for an affordable option is pine. Pressure-treated lumber is also available, but it is highly controversial. No-dig edging is another option, as it doesn’t require any digging. It’s one of the easiest options to install, and it’s an affordable alternative for the average homeowner.

Rubber: A natural-looking alternative to wood, rubber edging is made of recycled rubber. It can be installed next to a driveway or sidewalk, around planting beds, and even along fences. The great thing about this option is that it’s easy to move it to accommodate different shaped yards. But be prepared to do some heavy lifting. If you’re a DIY-er, you might be able to find a cheaper option.

Stone: If you have a backyard where natural stone is not available, you can use local boulders to create a natural-looking border. These stones are incredibly durable, so you can place them at various heights and thicknesses. However, if you’re not comfortable lifting boulders, get someone to help you move them. Stone is very heavy! If you’re inexperienced in this type of landscaping, you may not be able to move them by yourself.

Planting with native plants

Before deciding to plant with native plants, consider the growing conditions of the area. These plants are suited to your climate, so they can tolerate varying conditions. For example, prairie plants grow best in hot, dry conditions, while shady areas are perfect for the acorn-producing yellow woodland foxglove. Also, you can choose from a wide variety of native flowers to create a unique and dazzling display.

In addition to improving the look of your landscape, native plants are safer for people and the environment. They are low-maintenance, which means less maintenance for you. Plus, native plants are better for pollinators, which means more delicious fruits and vegetables! The Native Plant Trust defines a native plant as one that was native to a particular region before European settlement. Native plants include trees, shrubs, ferns, grasses, and flowering perennials.

You can also try planting ferns. Ferns are excellent for attracting butterflies, hummingbirds, and other native birds. Ferns are versatile and can thrive in any setting, and they can tolerate a wide variety of soil conditions. Ferns require little maintenance, and they grow quickly. In addition to ferns, you can try planting coneflowers, which are bright, colorful native plants that thrive in the sun from early spring to late Summer.

When planting with native plants, you also reduce the amount of fertilizer you use. Most fertilizers contain nitrogen and phosphorus, which tend to runoff into bodies of water. This can harm aquatic life and impede recreation. Additionally, some native plants have deep roots, which will help store more water and prevent flooding. Ninebark Shrubs, for example, can even survive drought conditions.

Pruning dead branches

Proper pruning is crucial to maintain healthy, beautiful landscaping. Pruning not only improves plant appearance, but also helps the tree stay healthy. Proper pruning techniques include using the proper tools and techniques for your type of landscape. Pruning correctly is much better than improper pruning, which can weaken plants and lead to their deformity. Avoid pruning low branches because they are shaded, as they will develop a collar around the base and impede the flow of water and nutrients.

Proper pruning not only promotes proper growth, but also prevents insects and other diseases. When performed properly, pruning can also maintain the health of landscape trees and prevent them from causing damage to other plants, animals, and people. For example, a tree with dead branches can pose a hazard if it grows too close to buildings or cars. In addition, the branches of a large tree can interfere with the view from windows and can become a nuisance to your neighbors.

The process of pruning trees requires cutting back the tree’s growth to the largest branch of the trunk. To achieve this, you’ll need to look for dead branches and cross branches that may be blocking the view of your landscape. You can also prune branches that are not producing new growth. Dead limbs and damaged plants need to be pruned as soon as possible to avoid diseases and insect problems.

Before you begin, it’s important to remove the collar. Leaving the collar in place is not only risky, but it also damages the trunk. It also increases the risk of wood-decay fungi infection. In addition, dead branches can be a dangerous airborne projectile during high-wind events. Inflammatory fungi are one of the most common causes of death on trees.

Adding wood chips

If you’d like to add mulch to your yard and landscape, there are several things you can do to make your project more efficient. For example, wood chip mulch can help suppress weeds, but it can also lead to soil nitrogen deficiency. Additionally, it can have adverse effects on the surrounding plants, including causing them to become disease-prone. That’s why you should only add wood chips to areas near plants, and be sure to keep the mulch several inches away from their base. That way, stems, and leaves can still breathe.

Another great use for wood chips is landscaping. They can conceal mud, add texture, and help plants grow. They’re also free, biodegradable, and versatile. Adding wood chips to your landscape can give your yard a more natural look. You can use them to shape your lawn, or add a few potted plants and herbs to add a touch of nature to your yard.

Adding wood chips to your yard will also help with erosion control, keeping your plants healthier and reducing muck runoff. It’s an inexpensive way to create a barrier that will keep weeds from taking over your landscape. If you don’t want to pay for a mulch application, wood chips can also be reused as a mulch layer. They’re free, so why not use them?

Wood chips are also useful for composting. Woodchips will add an impressive amount of carbon to your pile. Once compost is complete, these chips will break down into nutrients, which will benefit your yard and your compost bin. This makes it easier to compost. Wood chips are also an excellent way to preserve moisture and improve the appearance of your yard and landscape. But if you plan to add them to the landscape, be sure to remove any weeds first. Then, you can spread the woodchip mulch over top of the soil.

Adding pavers

When it comes to landscaping, pavers can make a huge difference. You can choose from a variety of colors and sizes, depending on what you’re trying to achieve. If you’re looking for a unique look, you can also mix and match different paver sizes for an added flair. One of the biggest mistakes people make when installing pavers is underestimating the quantity. Oftentimes, there’s more pavers than you’ll need, and some may need to be cut to fit your space. Also, pavers are heavy, so you may want to order delivery of your new additions.

Using pavers can elevate any landscape design. For example, irregularly shaped pavers will create a cottage-style aesthetic. Geometric pavers can upgrade even the most basic garden design. You can line these paths with ground cover material to add even more texture and interest. The possibilities are endless! The benefits of pavers are so numerous that you’ll be amazed at the versatility they bring to your landscape.

Pavers are a great choice for a front walkway. They can be used to accent the strongest architectural elements of your home. For example, a Miami home’s rectangle paver stones set on a curve mirror the curves in the house. The front walkway extends into the side yard and the curbside garden. The new pavers will make the entrance to your home appear larger than it is.

Before adding pavers to a lawn, make sure that the soil under your patio is level and free of debris. The base material should be at least 6 inches thick, and should extend beyond the edge of your pavers. To pack in the base, use a tamper or plate compactor. You should use a level to make sure that the pavers are level and that they will not shift.