Landscaping Tips

1. Choosing plants and shrubs that won't outgrow their useful space. A great tip is to plant vertically for added dimension.

2. Picking varieties of flowers, plants and trees that are known to be tough, adaptive and drought-resistant. Well-placed plants and trees can serve as shade and/or windbreaks for homes, reducing energy costs.

3. Filling deep cracks of rock gardens or walls with old nylon stockings filled with soil. Ensure the stockings look like big sausages once filled, tying the opened ends in a knot. Pack the stockings in crevices and cut a slit the length of the stocking to expose the soil. Plant ivy, hanging petunias, or any type of trailing annuals in the soil.

4. Watering newer plants well enough to develop strong, deep roots. Water early in the day using sprinklers that produce large droplets of water instead of a fine mist. Use soaker hoses or drip irrigation when available.

5. Starting a landscaping journal to record mistakes, successes, and great ideas gleaned from other gardeners and landscapers. Record the location and color of bulbs that should grow in spring.

6. Laying the backyard landscaping foundation by choosing a deck design with newer, cheaper, maintenance free materials. There are a wide variety of alternative materials to choose from other than traditional wood.

Source Great Landscaping Ideas