***Collaborative post***
Why bother planting a garden or paying to have a landscape company install a beautiful landscape around your property if you can’t enjoy it? A garden or landscaped lot should be a place for relaxing and contemplation. It must include healthy trees and plants, visual beauty, and comfortable seating options. A successful landscape and garden must be properly maintained to ensure the health and longevity of the plantings and to remain an attractive place to spend time. Some people love puttering in the garden, but others don’t have the time or inclination to care for their landscape themselves and hire competent landscape companies to do the job.
Building a Contemplative, Relaxing Garden
Those who would like a nice place to relax and unwind outside can choose a place in the back yard to develop or improve. If the budget allows, hire a local landscaper to evaluate the area and give you a plan for the perfect garden to install and enjoy. Give this expert a budget and a list of favorite trees and flowers to use. Also, give him or her a list of plants and trees you do not like.
If there are already trees or shrubs in the back yard, hire a Tree and Shrub Pruning service to get them in shape. They can be the anchor for the new garden. A good landscape company can test the soil and upgrade it to accommodate the new plantings so they can thrive. Paths can be constructed to allow easy access to different areas, water features can be installed, comfortable seating can be incorporated. Then the plantings can be installed to add color and interest to the garden.
Do You Want a Wild-Life Friendly Garden?
Decide if the garden is going to be just for people or if at least part of the garden can be wildlife-friendly. Some people like to watch animals feeding and hear the birds singing. Five steps to accomplish an animal-friendly area include: setting up a feeding station, providing water, making the area accessible to animals, leaving a corner untouched and wild, and cooperating with willing neighbors to link gardens for a larger animal area. If areas are separated by a fence, a small opening could be cut in the bottom to allow small animals to enter.
A Quiet, Contemplative Garden Spot
Choose the spot to install your relaxing, private garden spot and concentrate your efforts and budget there. On your own or with a landscaper’s help, divide the space into grass areas and flowerbeds with paths between and a seating area with a full view. Choose easy-care perennials for the long-run and some splashy annuals to change every year as your whim dictates. This way the garden will always have attractive plants, yet will change each year to remain interesting.
Work with existing trees to save a little money but add some new flowering varieties that do well in your area. Fruit trees provide beauty and some healthy fruit every summer. Consider having some seating and a small table in the garden for summer lunches or tea. Then add some interesting lighting so the space is usable for longer times during summer and fall months.
A well-balanced garden can be enjoyed by the whole family. It should be a great place to read a favorite book, have a cup of tea or coffee, or work on a portable hobby. This type of garden is well worth money and effort.
