Landscaping...how Does Your Garden Grow
By Lisa French, Tue Jan 10th

The landscaping of the exterior areas around your house shouldbe as personal in taste as your interior decoration.

A driveway and garden are usually the first impressions avisitor has of your home. They should always be as trim and wellcared for as your house itself.

Naturally, landscaping, like most things, depends on individualtaste. Some people prefer a wild, natural look in gardens andoutdoor areas. Others prefer the clipped hedges, planned walks,planting and ordered flower borders of the stylized Englishgarden.

Before planning your landscape, check the zoning regulations ofyour community, if you live in the city. This must be the firststep, as many zoning laws determine the limitations on theheight of trees, shrubs and other foilage, and their placement.Interior and corner lots often differ in these respects.

The cost of landscaping varies with each house, as does theplanning. The location of the house on the property, the size,shape and elaborateness of areas planned for trees, shrubs, lawnand flowers are of course the controlling factors. The larger,more intricate garden naturally cost more than a smaller area.

Here are some good basic pointers to remember when planningyour landscaping.

Privacy - Shrubs, bushes, a cluster of trees can serve asscreens from adjoining properties, walks, roads and create apark like effect at the same time. Clever landscaping of apatio, terrace or swimming pool adds to their usability andattractiveness, also provides perfect privacy.

Integration - A driveway should be fully blended with thefoilage to create an attractive first impression of yourproperty. The proportion of trees, grass, shrubs, bushes andflowers should be carefully balanced with concrete, graveled,asphalt or flagstone driveways to dispense with a paved,sidewalk effect.

Shade - A single, large tree may be a joy to look at, butmake sure it does not obscure the house or shade it too much.Plant a tree or cluster of trees at the edge of the lawn, sothat you get the most benefit from the shade on hot days. Makesure the trees do not overhang swimming pools or sun patios, andobscure the sun. Also bear in mind that trees near a pool meanfalling leaves and debris to clean out of the water constantly.

Levels - A garden on flat land can be planted with littleregard to change in grade (level). Some land is not totallyflat, so do not overlook grading problems in your plans.However, a garden that has more than one level is moreinteresting and much more effective designs can be achieved.But, naturally, the cost are higher.

Drainage - If you are designing your own garden beforecalling in a landscaper, remember to settle the drainageproblems first, or discuss it with the expert. You don't wantpuddles, ruined turf or plants, so settle the drainage system inthe beginning.

Basic Planting - Once your design is complete, you havetwo courses you can follow in the planting plan. If your budgetallows you to do the whole planting job at once, the sequenceshould be as follows: plant trees and shrubs first, then sod

orseed your lawn. Should it be neccessary to carry yourlandscaping over a period of years, plant lawn first, add trees,shrubs and flowers later when you can afford it.

Plans - Your garden requires landscape plans, just as theinterior of your home. If you have definite ideas about what youwant, and the effect you wish to achieve, draw up some roughplans on graph paper. Then you can discuss the project fullywith the landscaper. If you are an amateur gardener and wish todo your landscaping yourself, you will not need a set of plansto determine each area of your property.

About the author:Lisa French is a freelance writer of home decorating articlesand webmaster for Decorating Country Home.com. Use of articlerequires an active link tohttp://www.decorating-country-home.com/landscaping.html