Testimonial

Rich: Backyard landscape and patio, CA

“Blown away by the quality of the designs!  So difficult to choose a winner, they were all perfect in some way or form and the top 5 hit the nail on the head as far as expectations.”

To view all design entries for this competition, please click here.

Landscaping projects, big or small, can be quite overwhelming. There are so many things to consider when starting. Then you have to think about how much it will cost to bring your project to reality.

We are going to break the project down into smaller components and worry about the expense to get what you are looking for from your finished project.

Plan for Rich Backyard:

One of the most important steps in landscaping is budgeting for developing your plan and getting it down on paper. His project may take several seasons to complete but with a plan he can pick up right where he left off. 

A beautifully landscaped property will add value to your home and the satisfaction of knowing it has been done on a budget.

Getting a sheet of paper with grid lines and drawing the borders of the projected area on the paper is a good option.

With this type of paper, you can use each block as a length, for example, one box equals 1 foot/square meter of your yard. Careful planning will save time and money. 

It will give you a visual representation of the finished area and if it’s not what you’re looking for, changing it all out is much easier on paper.

Worked:

One of the first areas to consider is the manpower to complete your project. A professional gardener will also have his own ideas about what would work in his yard. 

This is good if you’re clueless about certain looks, but can be frustrating if you have your heart set on a certain look.

Of course, you also have to think about the costs associated with hiring a professional gardener for your rich backyard landscape project,  as experience comes at a high price. 

So whether hiring a professional to do the job, or driving your budget up or downsizing the project, will be something you have to decide.

Choosing to take on your own rich backyard landscape transformation project can save you a great deal of money that hiring a professional would cost. Also, it’s not as hard as you may think.

 All you need is a little work and gardening knowledge. Fortunately, you can find the answers to all your questions online, or go to your local garden store for expert advice.

The advice and satisfaction of a job well done are sure to work better within your budget by hiring professionals.

 

Floors:

When deciding on plants, be sure to determine where the sun is or whether the shade of a tree or other permanent structure will cover your flower bed or shrubs. 

Plants that cannot survive will add to the cost of your project as you will have to spend money to replace them, relocate them, or redesign the RICH BACKYARD space.

Perennial plants:

Perennial plants are more profitable in the long run. Perennials will  bloom year after year, that’s why they reduce the cost of replanting.

 A host of perennials also proceed to fill the flower bed so that you have a warm zone. Pampas grass is a great example. Tufts come in white or pink and can add rustic charm to your patio. 

It can be purchased cheaply, depending on availability at your local garden or department store. Pampas is also a hardy option and can grow up to 20 feet tall, making it an excellent plant for creating RICH BACKYARD privacy from neighbors.

Irises are also a great choice for your landscape plan. Although they are available in different colors , blue irises tend to be a popular choice. 

Irises are planted like bulbs, and 50 bulbs can often be purchased for $10 / €8. If you are lucky enough to know someone with a garden of already growing irises, transplanting a few for your project may be an option.

 Many perennials such as grasses and irises can be transplanted to other beds as time goes on which, in turn, continues to reduce the cost of the initial setup.

Rose bushes are another colorful perennial flower that can beautify any RICH BACKYARD landscape. They can be purchased for a low cost of other plants, and with the help of  little maintenance, roses will come every year. With proper pruning and fertilizer, roses will last a long time.

The Annuals:

Although perennials cost less in the long run, annuals can be used in smaller areas to add color to a bed, even if you have to replace them every year.

Marigolds and Zinnias are also very cheap, colorful flowers.  They  can also be planted as seeds in the spring. You can often find seeds for sale, two for $10/€8.

If you prefer plants over seeds, buying hanging baskets, such as petunias, and having them break down to the plant can help save money on buying individual plants.

Trees:

Trees are a wonderful addition to any landscape or RICH BACKYARD. They are good for the environment, improve air quality, and provide shade on hot summer days.

Small trees can be purchased for less than $100/€80 each. Small trees are much more affordable when working on a tight budget.

 However, it is important to know that they grow at different rates, so you had to wait a while for the shade. For example, hardwood trees, such as oaks, grow more slowly than softer hardwood trees, such as maples; a mix of hardwood and softwood will create a beautiful landscape with plenty of shade.

Of course, when planting small trees, take them into consideration once matured. The growth of a tree will change your garden if you don’t take growth into account.

Pathways:

Walking paths throughout the yard are an inexpensive and attractive way to add color and help break up the space.

My preferred route is to clear two to three feet of grass from the proposed route area. This helps control grass regrowth on the path. 

Next, level up the path with a quick perusal of the high points and filling in the low ones to make a nice walking area.

Brick pavers are an economical option for creating a beautiful rich backyard walkway or patio area.

In many places there are abundant rocks or stones and I easily buy them at the local sand pit from the native tons. 

This might work for a small project, but a series of these bags would need to go through to create a pathway or flower bed. Decorative sand pool stones are a fraction of the cost of what the local conservatory offers.

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