Ever since I founded Steven Vandora and Associates and have worked with clients to help them improve their gardens and yards, I have run into many myths about gardening. One of the big misconceptions people have is that landscaping is somehow complicated or very time-consuming. Some early clients of Steven Vandora and Associates actually wanted me to remove all the “green stuff” and simply pave their yards or add gravel so they wouldn’t have to worry about their yards. Once they found out how simple a nice yard was, thank goodness, they accepted that such drastic measures were not needed. If you want to make your own yard stand out but don’t want to spend years or a fortune, consider a few of my professional tricks:
1) Start with your curb appeal. Real estate agents talk about “curb appeal” when they talk about how a home looks from the sidewalk or driveway, but the concept is really useful when it comes to landscaping, too. What parts of your yard do you see from the sidewalk in front of your home? From your doors? From your driveway? Sprucing up these areas with some trellises or even flowers and shrubs dramatically changes your garden and your home’s overall look.
2) Simplify. Many homeowners assume that they need plants and fountains and bird houses and a ton of other things, but less really is more. Begin with a nice fence or a rock garden and very gradually add a few elements here and there. This approach keeps your garden low-maintenance and elegant.
4) Don’t be afraid to make small, inexpensive experiments. A small birdhouse, a new hanging basket, or a new large rock in your garden add a dramatic touch but aren’t a big investment.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)