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Tip 1: Understand the Yard Before Planning the Landscape Design

Take a couple of days to ascertain the amount of sunlight received by each area of your yard throughout the day before developing a plan. For yards with no trees, outbuildings, or other barriers to the sun, this task should prove easy. For other yards, it may require monitoring light levels throughout the day to determine which areas receive the most direct sunlight, and which the least.

Understanding environmental conditions in the areas to be planted makes plant choices easier. Doing so before picking out plants prevents the disappointment of choosing one and planning its placement, only to find it will not work anywhere in the yard

Tip 2: Use Flags During Planning to Map Elements

Sometimes, it is difficult to visualize how the different landscaping elements might look. Drawing the design out on paper is helpful, especially if everything is measured and drawn to scale. However, even with a good drawing of the design, it can be hard to really get a mental image of where the patio might end and the flower bed begin. It is also difficult to determine if the design will be functional.

Tip 3: Create Focal Points for Every Area

For a simple flower bed, the focal point may be an artistic element, such as a statue or a reflective garden ball, or it may be a large attractive plant. The focal point in a yard may be a water feature or flower garden. Creating a focal point and enhancing it with other design elements guides the eye to where you want it and creates an attractive outdoor environment.

Tip 4: Consider Future Maintenance

"Low maintenance" is a hot buzzword these days, but is a factor to take very seriously. Modern life is busy and complicated. Some landscaping features are low maintenance and conducive to a fast pace lifestyle; others are not. Before planting an exotic flower bed, installing a koi pond, or taking on any of the numerous projects glorified in magazines and on DIY shows, investigate what the long-term maintenance needs of the project or plant might be.

Tip 5: Research Every Plant

For best results, research the needs of every plant you intend to install. As previously mentioned, a garden book provides a wealth of information about each plant's requirements. It should also indicate the size of a mature plant and how much water it requires. The plant's sales tag, at the very least, should provide the name of the plant for further research.