The words "backyard landscape design" can sound daunting if your backyard
needs a fair amount of work (or a total overhaul). But with a few small steps
and planning, the task will be easier than you first anticipated. It may actually
turn into a family event that adds fun to your weekends, and saves you money by
entertaining at home, leaving your cash free to invest in those precious metal
funds that you are itching to get into. A backyard oasis will look different to
everyone, so making a list of your needs and wants for this space is a great way
to narrow your focus and figure out what elements you want your design to have.
The first step in redesigning your backyard is to consider its uses by the
family. Many of these are obvious such as entertaining or a children's
play area, or perhaps you plan on holding your daughter's Alfred Sung
wedding here, in which case you will need to map out what areas will be used
and what furniture needs to be brought in. Other things such as a backyard theme,
focal points, sun, shade, hardiness zone, pets, drainage and maintenance are
equally important and need some consideration. And finally, color; contrast,
texture and soil affects the plants, trees and overall beauty of the backyard.
So take you time and plan what your immediate needs are to turn the backyard
into a functional area. Then work on smaller projects. When planning, use paper
and lay out a rough design. It's always easier to change a plan than redo
a started or finished project.
As you are planning some of your bigger projects such as a pool, pond, children's
play area or patio, check on some of the overlooked landscape design areas that
play an important role in the success of your backyard oasis.
The most important thing is to check for any city, state or provincial building
codes. Also check any Home Association rules if they apply to your housing area.
And as basic as this sounds, make sure you know your property boundaries. When
changing the layout of your yard, make sure you do not invade your neighbour's
space – such accidents do happen, and they can create a serious problem.
No one wants to end their backyard renovation in an argument over property lines
that ends with you (or your neighbour) contacting Brampton real estate agents
to look for a new home! Dealing with these things before you begin is a sure
way to have a happy outcome.
Your hardiness zone and climate will influence your larger projects. Is your
summer long enough for a pool? If your nights are warm and the summer long you
will more than likely want a larger outdoor entertainment area. If the nights
are colder you may want a patio that can be partially enclosed for extended
use. Perhaps you have seen a piece of Brampton real estate that already has
all of the backyard amenities that you crave, and decide to move into a new
house rather than starting a new backyard from scratch. No matter what, having
your backyard oasis will be worth all of the effort you put into it.
Climate will also guide your plant selection. Most plants will have a tag that
will tell you the hardiness zone and care which the plant will need to grow
successfully. Your local nursery will also be able to help you select plants
that will thrive in your backyard oasis. A good plant encyclopedia and the Internet
will also provide helpful information. Thinking about how much rainfall your
area gets and possibly installing sprinkler systems or Aurora water pumps are
great ideas for keeping the hose-watering of plants to a minimum, so you can
spend your time relaxing versus working in the garden. This brings us to one
more important point to consider while planning - maintenance. In today's
hectic lifestyle a low maintenance landscape may be essential. You will also
have more time to enjoy your backyard oasis paradise if it's easy to care
for.
As a final thought when planning your backyard design - Plan for change. Families
grow, and so will the needs of the backyard. Keep this in mind when planning
a children's area, adding water features or a pet area. You may find you
want less mowing or fewer gardens to tend to, or that you want a koi pond or
patio area. The backyard area is meant to be an oasis for relaxation and will
need to adjust to your needs in the years to come.
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