Kip Tips
Landscaping Do's and Don'ts
Making your lawn look good can be expensive. Follow these tips to get the most bang for your buck and to avoid costly mistakes.
By Cameron Huddleston, Contributing Editor, Kiplinger.com
May 14, 2010
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A certain hardware store has a commercial out now that features homeowners vowing not to get involved in lawn projects that will take all summer. What I like about the ad is that it's so true for some of us -- somehow planting a few flowers morphs into a yard makeover that takes months to complete. And you've shelled out big bucks. Was it worth it?
Now, I'm not saying there isn't value in a well-manicured lawn -- there is. But there are smart ways to spend your landscaping dollars, and not-so-smart ways. Here are tips from landscape designers and architects I've interviewed in the past:
Do ...
-- Keep it simple and do it well rather than spread a budget over a lot of features that are halfway done.
-- Get a design if you're on a limited budget, then prioritize -- go in order of implementation. Start with a patio (because it adds the most value and has the most impact), then irrigation, then landscaping.
-- Work with the environment you have and use native plants because they are less expensive to maintain.
-- Buy quality, even if it means buying less.
-- Buy used a swing set for the kids because it won't be used that long and don't justify the cost of a new one.
Don't ...
-- Don't do anything you don't have the time or money to maintain.
-- Don't focus on the backyard before the front. Create curb appeal first.
-- Don't spend money on things you won't use (concrete curbing, lawn ornaments).
-- Don't spend a lot of money on landscape lighting. A little goes a long way, and lots of lights require more maintenance and expense.
-- Don't overplant. Confine your planting to one area rather than several because it will be easier to maintain.
-- Don't build an outdoor kitchen if you live in a cold environment because you'll be able to use it only one season.
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Reader Comments (4)
Posted by: Nomen at 05/17/2010 01:47:46 PM
While I agree that you don't want to spend too much on landscape lighting, relatively inexpensive solar lights can add a lot and are almost maintenance free. They are also easily moved to make different lighting effects and can be put away in the winter to extend their useful life. At around $3 a piece they are cheap to replace or add another if desired.
Posted by: Steve Stevens at 05/17/2010 04:12:24 PM
"Don't focus on the backyard before the front. Create curb appeal first." I suppose this could be re-worded as "Try to impress others before making yourself more comfortable." Forget that. Take care of number one, and if your neighbors hate looking at your ugly front yard, ask them for donations.
Posted by: Clayton at 05/18/2010 08:20:46 AM
Your do list says to start with the patio, but then your don't list says don't start on the backyard. Assuming your patio is in there rear, which one is it? :-)
Posted by: David at 05/24/2010 03:23:28 AM
A friend of mine bought solar yard lights and after a while threw them in the trash. The light they give off is weak and if you put enough of them out in your yard it looks like a putt-putt golf course at night..