Well-executed landscaping has plenty of benefits beyond just looking good. It can create shaded areas for relaxation, increase property value, and support mini wildlife habitats. Proper landscaping also helps manage water runoff, prevents soil erosion, and promotes sustainability where possible. Our guide covers the basics of landscaping, including planning, design, and maintenance, to help you create an outdoor oasis.
Assess Your Property for Landscaping
Before starting a landscaping project, evaluate your property’s existing conditions and potential. This will help you create a thriving landscape tailored to your environment.
Existing Features and Structures
Analyze your property’s current layout, including buildings, trees, slopes, and any unique features, as these can be focal points or challenges in your landscape design. For example, a sloping lot might present an opportunity for a terraced garden, while existing mature trees can provide valuable shade and structure to your landscape.
Climate and Soil Conditions
Account for factors such as average temperatures, rainfall, and sunlight exposure. Perform a soil test to assess pH levels and nutrient content, which will guide your plant choices and soil enrichment strategy.
Plan Your Landscape Design
A well-planned design helps you better allocate resources and avoid costly mistakes during your project.
Setting Goals and Priorities
Do you want a low-maintenance yard, a lively garden for entertaining, or a private retreat? Think about how you’ll realistically use the space and which features matter most to you.
Expert Insight: This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook emphasizes the importance of starting with a plan: “You wouldn’t build a house without a well-thought-out plan, and you shouldn’t try to landscape without one, either.”
Creating a Budget
Establish a realistic budget for your landscaping project. Weigh initial installation costs and ongoing maintenance expenses. View this project as a property investment and consider what would increase or decrease home value.
Pro Tip: TOH landscape contractor Jenn Nawada advises starting with the basics before spending big: “You’d be surprised what a boost to curb appeal you get from simply pressure-washing and decluttering.” Approaching your yard with a visitor’s fresh eye—pruning dead plant material, freshening up furnishings, and touching up paint—can deliver major impact without major expense.
Hardscaping vs. Softscaping Elements
Incorporate hardscaping and softscaping to create balance and function in your outdoor space. We’ll explain both design elements below.
Hardscaping
Hardscaping refers to the nonliving elements in your landscape, such as patios, walkways, retaining walls, and water features. These structures define the outdoor space and create visual interest. When planning hardscaping, choose materials that complement your home’s architecture and natural surroundings.
Pro Tip: TOH landscape contractor Roger Cook advises going native when selecting hardscape materials: “You want the path to blend in with its surroundings.” Pay attention not only to the natural landscape but to the house, too—play off other materials used on the property, such as a brick foundation, a slate or tile roof, a flagstone patio, or a fieldstone wall.
Softscaping
Softscaping encompasses your landscape’s living elements, like trees, shrubs, flowers, and grass. These components add color, texture, and life to your outdoor space. When selecting plants, consider their growth habits, upkeep, and interaction with other landscape elements.
Choosing the Right Plants for Your Landscape
Proper plant selection is key to creating a thriving, low-maintenance landscape that boosts your property’s beauty and functionality.
Native Plants
Native plants are well-suited to thrive in your local climate and soil conditions, making them easier to maintain and more pest and disease-resistant. They also support local wildlife by providing food and habitat. We recommend researching native plants in your area and incorporating them into your landscape design.
Why Go Native: As TOH host Kevin O’Connor puts it: “Always opt for native plants that can survive and thrive in your area. When a plant can survive on its own, it requires less maintenance.” On an Ask This Old House episode, landscape designer Kate explained the deeper benefits: “Natives provide food and habitat for beneficial insects, migratory birds, butterflies” — and they’re naturally equipped to withstand the specific conditions of your site.
Tree Selection
Expert Insight: This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook advises: “First, think about why you want a tree. If it’s to create shade, you’ll want one with a broad, leafy canopy. On the other hand, if you’re trying to screen out the neighbors, you want upright evergreens that can be grouped together to block the view.”
When choosing trees, consider their mature size, growth rate, and potential roots or falling debris issues. Plant trees at the appropriate distance from your home and other structures to avoid future problems.
Expert Insight: Landscape architect John Geiger puts it simply: “With trees, it’s as much where you plant as what you plant.” The key to successful treescapes is envisioning the height, diameter, and silhouette of each species at maturity. Factor in how much general maintenance and cleanup you’re willing to do—trees bearing fruits and nuts may be attractive and provide food for wildlife, but when planted in the wrong place, the debris they shed can be a nuisance.
Water Management in Landscaping
Effective water management helps you maintain your landscape while conserving water.
Irrigation Systems
A well-designed irrigation system can save time and ensure your plants receive the right amount of water. Install a drip irrigation system for targeted watering or a smart sprinkler system that adjusts based on weather.
Xeriscaping for Water Conservation
Xeriscaping works by grouping plants with similar water needs, using mulch to retain soil moisture, and incorporating drought-tolerant plants into your design. This technique is beneficial in dry climates or areas prone to drought.
Adding Functional Spaces in Your Landscape
Your outdoor space should not only be beautiful but also meet your lifestyle needs. Here are some functional and fun ideas.
Outdoor Living Areas
Create a space that extends your home’s usable area, such as a patio for dining, a deck for relaxation, or a pergola for shade. Think about how these spaces will connect to your home and integrate with the surrounding landscape.
Pro Tip: TOH landscape contractor Jenn Nawada advises: “When adding a patio, you want to consider the look and feel of the house and landscaping.” Smooth concrete pavers with clean edges have a sleek, modern feel, while irregular flagstone stepping-stones can complement the character of an older home.
Play Spaces for Children and Pets
If you have children or pets, incorporate play and exercise areas into your landscape design. These could include a lawn for games, a sandbox for young children, or a designated pet area.
Pro Tip: Landscape designer Jody Shilan, based in New Jersey, recommends creating a designated pet-relief area using synthetic turf: “Pick an area away from the house to put down the turf, and make it part of the garden plan.” Remove a 3-by-3-foot section of lawn grass, pin down synthetic turf with spikes, and “design it in by continuing planting-bed lines along the area and it will look like another garden space,” says Shilan. Walk your dog to the spot daily for at least three weeks until she adopts it, and reward with treats.
Landscape Lighting
Well-planned landscape lighting can enhance your outdoor space while improving safety and security.
Landscape Lighting Types
There are various types of landscape lighting, including path lights, spotlights, and accent lights. Each type serves a specific purpose, such as illuminating walkways or highlighting architectural features and plants.
Energy-Efficient Lighting Options
Opt for energy-efficient lighting options to reduce electricity consumption and maintenance costs. LED lights are an excellent choice, offering long life and low energy use. Solar-powered lights can be a good option for areas far from electrical outlets, providing subtle illumination without wiring.
Maintaining Your Landscape
Regular maintenance will keep your landscape in top condition. Follow our tips below to help.
Seasonal Maintenance Tasks
Each season brings different maintenance requirements for your landscape. Spring tasks include pruning, fertilizing, and planting annuals. Summer focuses on watering and pest control. Fall is ideal for planting trees and shrubs and preparing for winter. Winter maintenance typically involves protecting sensitive plants and planning for the coming spring.
Expert Insight: This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook recommends using fall’s milder conditions to your advantage: “September is a great time to work in your yard. Plants don’t have the stresses of heat and drought, and the cooler weather signals them to build up their root systems rather than sprout lots of new foliage.”
Long-Term Care Strategies
Develop a long-term care plan for your landscape to ensure its continued health and beauty. This could include regular soil testing and amendment, periodic review and updating of your irrigation system, and ongoing plant health assessments. Create a maintenance schedule to stay on top of recurring tasks.
DIY vs. Professional Landscaping
Whether to tackle landscaping projects yourself or hire professionals depends on your skills, availability, and project complexity.
Do-it-yourself (DIY) landscaping can be rewarding and cost-effective—if you have the necessary skills and time. We recommend hiring a professional landscaper or landscape architect for more complex projects. Professionals bring expertise in design, plant selection, and installation techniques. They can also handle large-scale projects and often have access to a wider range of materials and plants.
Pro Tip: Roger Cook, TOH landscape contractor, offers a simple rule of thumb for deciding when to call in help: “If a project is going to take you more than two weekends to do, that’s a tip-off that you should hire a professional.”
