As much as I love to garden I have to admit that I’ve always been a bit intimidated by landscaping. It’s just so much more obvious when you screw something up. I’ve accidentally killed a plant or two (ok, way more than that) but is so much easier to pull up a plant and throw it into the compost pile than it is to hide an entire lawn of dead grass. For this reason, I’ve always avoided landscaping and just confined myself to my pots and garden beds. But, this year, I decided to make a change. I will no longer distinguish the difference between yard work and garden work. They will become one and I will learn to master them simultaneously, one day being able to stand up in front of the masses and say “yes, I do my own landscaping and I do so with no fear or hesitation!”

So I realize that’s a bit dramatic, but landscaping is something that I really want to get my brain around. Before beginning my landscaping adventure, I hit the books for some basics and this is what I learned.

[1] Planning is essential. This was the first tip I found and probably my least favorite. I’ve never been good at planning. My favorite technique to working in my garden is to just go out and start getting dirty. The only time I plan is during the winter when I realize that I can’t possibly fit anymore indoor plants in my house. Needless to say, when I read this I was already turned off. But I’m nothing if not stubborn, so I read on.

[2] Execute your plan in stages. This tip wasn’t so difficult for me to palate. It doesn’t have to be like ripping off a Band-Aid; I can do it in stages. Not everything has to be completed in one weekend or even one season. It’s ok and even recommended to spread it out.

[3] Visualize your yard for aesthetics and function. Sheesh, ok, I’ll plan. So, I don’t want my hose to be trapped behind some ill-placed rose bushes. I also don’t want my flowers sitting in the area of the yard with perpetual shadow. As for looks, it was neat learning about how to play with plant height and placement to turn the yard into a work of art. Of course, my goals aren’t so lofty now, but I like having challenges for the future.

[4] Get inspiration! There are a ton of garden decoration ideas out there! Check Pinterest, walk through your neighborhood, look at famous gardens and lawns. Get as many examples as you can and figure out what you like best. The sky’s the limit!

With these tips in mind, I’ve begun the process of designing my yard. One of the biggest things I’ve been wanting is some sort of pathway making its way between my garden beds. In the past I’ve just usually had patches of grass with maybe a stepping stone or two thrown down in random places. A lot of people suggest that I use gravel but, to be honest, I don’t want to deal with keeping it all in its place. I want something like brick molded stones. I also want them to be held together tightly enough to wheel my wheelbarrow across them without getting stuck.

Another thing that I really want is some sort of focal point for my yard. Currently, I have sporadic garden beds throughout my yard, but I think having a fire pit would tie them all together nicely. I also think that it would give me a nice excuse to roast marshmallows every night which is something I’m always down for.

I’m still in the planning process of my landscaping endeavor so I’m sure I’ll come across a ton more tips as I move ahead. So far, I’ve taken some steps towards my molded stones by digging out some grass so they’ll lay flat. In time, I’ll be as self-sufficient as they come! Either that or I’ll chicken out and hire someone to do it.

By: Mackenzie Kupfer