Landscaping

[eeboater]

My house is in serious need of some landscaping... I have been in the house for almost 3 years, and the PO didn't really have anything as far as landscaping is concerned. Now that my summer is finally starting to settle down, I'd like to address some of the ugliness of my property.

Are there any non-green thumbs in here that did some landscaping in your yard that turned out well? I don't know WTF to do with my yard. I can troubleshoot any kind of technology I'd ever want, but when it comes to this crap I am totally clueless.

Did you use software to develop the look before you implemented it?

 

[tommays]

Re: Landscaping

Ya gotta have a wife that knows what she wants it to look like

My wife had a real good idea what she wanted and only made me dig the big holes and move all the rocks and dig out all the old stuff she did not want like the 50 ft blue spurce 3ft from the house that was starting to knock the house down


Tommays

 

[LadyFish]

Re: Landscaping

ee, first check around your neighborhood or area and see what you like and what seems to do well in your climate. You can also find out what zone your in. This way you can at least determine what to plant.

I do layout a design. Just scratch it out on a piece of paper to start with. Then you can research the plants or shrubs you wish to put in and see how far apart its recommended and alter your plan from there.

Good luck!

 

[12Footer]

Re: Landscaping

My 2 cents: I only did this professionally for a abt 1. 5 years, but learned a lot about it in short order....Enough to be dangerous, and to know that a lot of it is actually fun.

Sure, you'll need an outline, but do what LFish sugested, and sketch-out a rough plan of what you would like.
Save the money you were going to spend on software, and spend it on an irrigation clock, control wire and control valves, if you don't already have all that stuff. Nuthin grows without proper irrigation, and this means zones set up to supply the different areas with what they need to provide coverage. You'll want seperate zones for differing veggitation, or will want to water some areas longer than others...
Then,also as LF sugested, look at landscaping in your area to get an idea of what looks good to you, and what is triving. Colorful mixes of flowers stand-out down here in Florida, as most everything natural is green,and that's about it. But do realise, that most flowers are only here for a short while. You'll probably be replanting something new next spring anyhow, but this allows for an "always new" and eye-catching look. I only werked in irrigation, but the community i werked in did constant landscaping year-round. They spent gobs of green on it too, but they also received awards for it many times over.
As you get into the irrigation ,vegitation purchasing stages, the nursery/hardware folks will guide you, and answer all questions.This site may give you some design ideas.
And keep it fun. When it becomes just another task, it aint no fun any longer.

 

[Ron G]

Re: Landscaping

Heck i just plant what i like and if it dies i replantdi did dig up some nice burning bushes out of the woods and planted those.then a friend gave me a bunch of monkey grass.i also got a nice maple tree out of the woods and its still doing good.and my hostas i dig them up and split them so i now have about 30d

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: Landscaping

You have some sound advice here.
I sort of know a bit about it, and am happy to help.
I don't know what WI stands for (re your State) as climate has a big bearing on gardens.
The advice to go around your area and look at others is great. Take your camera with you and snap everything.
Keep the thread going with photos as I would like to see what you start with and what the finished product is like.
Gardening is the worlds most popular hobbie, and the rewards are very satisfying.
Cheers
Phillip

 

[eeboater]

Re: Landscaping

Thanks for the feedback everyone!! I think I am going to take everyone's advice and travel around the neighborhood to see what some of the neighbors have. I know I don't like big bushes that require triming and shaping.

I'll design something that I like and then share it with you guys -- see what ya'll think.

Sean

 

[Speedwagon]

Re: Landscaping

If you are interested in saving money on your electric bill, there are ways to landscape to keep your house cool in summer, and warmer in winter. Something to think about, if you are diving into it.

 

[Pony]

Re: Landscaping

ee-

A few years ago we made a garden around our flag pole.....one thing we did was make sure there is always something flowering so its colorful all summer. If you don;t know which ones will flowere well, just go to the local flower place and talk to someone, they willgive you some options.

 

[LadyFish]

Re: Landscaping

There is so much you can plant to make the landscaping easy to maintain too like Hostas, Tiger Lillies, Lilac bushes, dogwood trees, red maples, crabapple trees, and the choice of cedars is endless. You can always fill in the smaller area with annuals in the spring that will give you color all summer.

There are several different zones for Wisconsin I checked, you need to find out which one your in and there should be information on what grows well in your area.

Here's the link to a landscape design tool thats kinda cool.

http://homegarden.move.com/HomeGard...dscapePlanner/Help/Frameset.asp?poe=homestore

 

[PW2]

Re: Landscaping

Concrete it over- paint it green.

Lot's more boating time

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: Landscaping

I actually went to Rebeccas and that is a really good site LF. Lot of info there. Thank you.
ee, I reckon you should put up some shots of what you are starting with.
Cheers
Phillip

 

[Kenneth Brown]

Re: Landscaping

For once PW and me completely agree.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Landscaping

I've got a cousin down by you that does it for a living.
How big is your yard and what is your budget?

They do a lot of BIG jobs up in Mequon, $5,000-$50,000 and up.
Trees, walls, gardens, translucent lighted walkways, ponds, and everything else.

She designs it, then her and her husband and a few more guys will get it done.

John and Janet Zausch, Saukville, if you are interested.

 

[heycods]

Re: Landscaping

Concrete it over- paint it green.

Lot's more boating time

Man I gota agree, whazz matter EE you loosin it, you fix that yard its gona take away from the boating time.o

 

[Bassy]

Re: Landscaping

One thing we consider every year is what purpose would you like your yard to serve. For example, we have much of our yard with plants/trees that produce something to eat. Beauty and contributes to the household. Just something to think about.
Have fun!
Bassy