DIY Economical Garden and Landscape Ideas-Planters, Converted Bathtubs, Etc:

Landscaping is a word that can sometimes inhibit people from improving small spaces, but landscaping is nothing to be afraid of. The word landscaping implies creating ornamental gardens, parks and botanical oasis. The truth of the matter is that, through landscaping, all of those options can become reality. The difference in what I hope to teach here is that landscaping does not have to be performed on a large scale. The honest truth is that putting two plants in the same pot is landscaping. Projects around the home need not be gigantic to be considered landscaped. Smaller spaces lend themselves to customized and unique venues for landscaping just as much as larger yards and parks do.

Using rocks or stone in landscaping is an art that has been used for centuries. Think of the great pyramids, they are an extreme version of what this article is about. Improving space by adding function and beauty a little at a time.

Rocks make a great contrast to the softer and brighter contribution of plants. They also add characteristics that work with the gifts that plants bring to a small garden. Because both plants and rocks occur naturally in nature, the small landscape gardener can utilize the symbiotic relationship the exists between plant and rock. What? They work together to help stop erosion, and they do so in a beautiful fashion.

There are many different kinds of rocks available to the small landscape gardener. Rocks come in many colors and sizes. Some are real, and some rocks are fake. The art of making fake rocks these days, has improved a great deal. The casual observer may not be able to tell the difference between a real rock and faux rock.

Choose a theme for the garden and use that theme when picking out rocks. All small gardens should be planned out, at least roughly. Goals should be simple and specific. Small landscape gardening can borrow a term from the computer industry... “Keep It Simple Stupid.” This means that extravagant projects are harder to complete, and have a higher chance of failure when compared to a simpler project.

The Japanese say that rocks swim in dirt. When placing rocks make sure they appear to be naturally placed. Think of a man swimming. We only see part of him. This is the same rule that should apply for placing rocks. Think of a man wading. We only see so much of him. Placing rocks on the horizontal line is the same as a man swimming. Placing rocks on a vertical line is the same concept of a man wading. These rules can apply to rocks of any size. Rocks that are placed without using these rules can look out of place.

Small space gardening is an investment of time and not large amounts of money or energy. Time is given to a project so that the project develops over time. Designing small-space gardens requires the use of function. Objects in the design should have a function. Beauty is a function, but gardens continually change. An example of function would be a small tree that is planted near a window. The function of the tree is not just beauty but shade. Small ornamental trees, such as a Japanese Maple, can provide both beauty and function.

Think Green when designing small-landscaped gardens. A tree fern or small ornamental tree can shade ground-based air conditioning units. Shade helps the AC unit run more efficiently than an AC unit that is not shaded. This will save the homeowner money by reducing utility bills. Installing a brick or stone path is also a green action. The path, which adds function through use and beauty by defining space, also reduces water usage. This can save homeowners a great deal of money in areas of drought. Another great greening item is a drip system. The drip system waters specifically and intently the plants near the emitter. This saves water, money and labor.

Take a lesson form the great masters painters. Use sets of odd numbers to create and design. 1, 3, 5, 7 are perfect numbers for creating balance. One rock becomes a centerpiece three rocks create dimension five rocks define space, and seven rocks become all of the above. The same is true of plants. One tree becomes a focal point three shrubs give dimension five ferns define space, and seven spider plants can be all of the above. Remember the advice from the computer world and keep it simple.

This small, beautiful garden is riddled with landscaping problems. First of all, the garden dose not convey a sense of balance. It has a purpose. That purpose is to keep people on either the gravel path or the sidewalk.

The issues are this: The rocks are small and will soon be overrun by the plants. It would have been better, in this small garden, to either pile the rocks all together and make a rock sculpture, or maybe just to use one good sized rock in one of the corners of this garden. The next issue is the choice of plants. While this garden is beautiful now, it will not take very much longer before it becomes overrun. Most the plants that were chosen for this garden get quite large especially all of the dark green plants. The sage colored plants are struggling to keep up with the green plants and will eventually begin to look straggly and ugly as they fight for sun and space. One of the aspects of this garden that does work is the relationship between the fox-tail fern and the rock.

Thinking like a master painter will show that they used the rules of odd numbers but that they did not use them well. There are three shades of green, but they are not balanced, nor will they stay as an odd number. The dark green plants will eventually kill the sage colored plants and maybe the Fox-tail ferns. They used at least four rocks, but the placement and plant choice will make those rocks invisible soon. They say that one is the loneliest number, but that is not so true when one is the star of the garden. Piling the four rocks together would have drawn attention to them by taking four individual pieces and making them one focal point.

If this were my garden, I would take out all of the dark green plants and plant three more Fox-tail ferns. I would also pile the rocks in a corner and make a planter of sorts out of them. The sage colored plants I would leave, but the variegated sage plant I would move to the rock sculpture/planter. This plant looks as though it wants to creep and drape. These kinds of plants look beautiful when they are trailing down and over rocks.

A good exercise to prevent landscaping mistakes is to walk around the neighborhood and find landscaping that works well and landscaping that does not work so well. This may also be a good exercise in determining what kind of plants live and prosper in your area. Take pictures of plants that you like as a good nursery will help you identify them.

Landscaping plants should be chosen based on the function of the garden. What are the goals that have been outlined for the project? Plants can be both beautiful and functional. While most plants are known for their beauty, it is often their function that makes them endearing to us. We may admire the beauty of a large shade tree, but we appreciate its function when the weather becomes hot.

How to choose plants that work well in your area or zone. To find out which zone you live in you can use this handy USDA hardiness Zone Finder by following this link: Www.garden.org/zipzone. Nurseries can be a big help but do not assume that all of the plants they sell are well equipped to survive the winter. Nurseries usually have a selection of plants that might do well in your yard. If you are investing in plants for the long-term, then choose plants that work well in your zone. Most plant labels will tell you the range of zones in which plants will survive. Since we are talking about landscaping, the key word in the last sentence was “survive.” You want plants that will not only survive, but that will also thrive.

Height & Width:

The plant label will usually tell you how tall the plant is likely to grow as well as how wide the plant will likely be. These are important pieces of information. Make good plant choices by choosing plants that are appropriate for the space that you want to landscape. This means paying attention to plant height and width when choosing where the plants will be placed. Paying attention to plant height and width requirements will help to prevent the problems in the small garden example above.

Sun, Shade, Water:

Plants have a specific-requirement that they need to grow. Each plant has its own unique set of requirements. To make plants thrive pay very specific-attention to what the plant requirements are. This is very important for sun exposure and water requirements. Drought tolerant pants are great but living in a drought is not an ideal situation for most plants. Many drought tolerant plants that live in drought conditions are small, stunted and sparse. Plan to water plants so that they thrive. Choose plants that match the lighting requirements of the area where they will be planted.

Plant Labels:

Read the label carefully. If it says Full Sun will tolerate partial shade, It is really saying full sun. The plant may grow in partial shade, but it most likely will not be robust in either foliage or bloom. If the label says Partial shade, then it means not a lot of direct sunlight. Some direct sunlight may be okay, but this plant needs a diffused light source. These kinds of plants can be planted in sunny spots if they are shaded by larger plants. A good example would be Pansy's growing under a larger tree fern or Japaneses Maple. The Pansy's will be shaded by the larger plant but may still receive some direct sunlight. This is a gardening technique called stacking plants. It allows the gardener to utilize all of the space available to them. This is also a wonderful technique to add color into a landscape that is a full year round. Not every plant is going to bloom or be beautifully foliage year round. Choose plants that will show off their foliage or booms at different times of the year. This will ensure that the landscaping is attractive year round.

Breaking a large landscaping project into smaller pieces means that the do-it-yourself landscaper can add value and affordable landscaping features to their yard. Small space landscaping is something that most everyone can do. It requires an investment in time, as opposed to a huge investment of cash.

Landscaping is nothing to be afraid of. For those of us who find gardening a labor of love, a landscaping project can become a great hobby. Take the time to plan the project by choosing and designing smaller spaces. Planning with the future of the space in mind can not only add landscaping to a yard it can also add function. Combine hardscape with landscape to develop special areas of relaxation and joy.

The key to doing landscaping well is to plan the project. This begins by defining function and is followed by making lists of potential ways to utilize the space to match the function. Choose plants according to their needs and the needs of the space. The investment in time and labor will add value to homes and provide an expanded outdoor living space. It is my hope that this article was of use to the reader and that people who enjoy gardening will give landscaping a try.