If you have just bought your first house, you probably want the yard to look nicer than when you were renting a home. Landscaping doesn’t need to be complicated and labor-intensive. Here are some easy landscaping tips for first-time homeowners.
Use Cardboard for Weed Control
If you have beds in the front of your home for flowers and shrubs, you may find yourself constantly battling weeds. One easy landscaping tip is to save up cardboard boxes and place the cardboard on the soil around the plants in the beds. Then, spread mulch over the cardboard. The cardboard barrier will smother the weeds trying to grow and you won’t have to spend every weekend weeding your beds.
Low-Maintenance Plants
If you are starting from a clean slate and trying to decide which plants to add to your landscape, choose low-maintenance plants that are tolerant of various conditions. Succulents make for a hardy, drought-tolerant ground cover. Choose species like Sedum and Senecio to plant in beds, along pathways, and in hanging pots.
Easy Landscaping Tips for Planting Trees
If you want to add some shade and dimension to your yard, plant a few trees. However, be cautious of where you plant the trees and how large they will grow over time. You don’t want to plant any trees too close to your home for a couple of reasons. The roots could infiltrate the underground plumbing pipes and the branches may grow over the roof which causes problems.
To be safe, plant trees at least 20 feet away from the house. Also, watch out for powerlines overhead that the tree might disturb once it grows tall enough. Research species of trees so you know how large it will be when it is full-grown.
Easy Landscaping Tips: Garden Lighting
Enhance your landscaping at night by adding accent lighting. This is one of the easiest and most affordable upgrades and it makes a big impact on your yard at night. Solar-powered stake lights only cost a few dollars per light and can be placed along paths, in garden beds, and around water features.
Taking care of your yard is just as important as taking care of your house. The above tips make it easier to maintain your yard with less work.
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