Landscaping in your yard should be a well thought out process. When done in haste, it fails to give the long-term benefits and pleasures you may expect from your garden. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you are getting serious about the looks of your garden.

Plan ahead:  Have a detailed plan before you start any work. This plan should take into account the layout of your yard, architecture of your house, light and wind conditions, soil quality, privacy requirements and the like.

Just like the plan of a house shows space allocation for various functions, this plan should show where what is, in the garden. Do show any utility lines that may be underground or above. Show irrigation lines, water outlets and electrical points too. An effective plan will prevent you from costly mistakes and simple overlooks.

Be yourself: There is no dearth of ideas that you have to copy your neighbour’s yard. If you find lack of inspiration, go to books or seek advice from a garden designer but please express yourself and create unique living space. Do not imitate.

Have a wish list: Find out all the things you need from your yard in terms of function and aesthetics.

Requirements can be — the walkway, car park, formal entertaining area, theme garden, water feature, kitchen garden, fruit trees if you like, meditation space, herb garden, children’s play area, pool, hard surface, grass, ground cover, seasonal plants, flowering trees, etc. Do not hesitate in putting your list on paper. This exercise is important if you want best results suitable for your property and meeting your requirements. Try to accommodate all that you can in the plan. Sometimes you will find that the space can serve double duty.

Get creative: Bend the conventional rules, use various elements including plants, rocks, water, light, and sound.

The unexpected interplay of elements makes your garden unique and interesting. Remember it does not have to be grass surrounded by plants. A well thought out hard surface with careful placement of potted plants can make a wonderful living space which is even low maintenance.

Big is better: When planning water features, big is better. Not only is bigger  impressive, but easier to maintain too. Nothing looks more awkward in a yard than a ditch size lily pool.

Phase it out: If executing the entire plan in one go is not feasible for you, never mind, execute the design in phases. After all, a little delay in getting the right design is better than living with ugly work for years.

Consider the future: Imagine the landscape at maturity. Bear in mind, your choices today may seem overcrowding once they have grown. Buy and place the trees and shrubs while keeping in mind their maturity size and spread.

Outdoor living: Extend your living area into the garden, whether it’s a patio or porch, try to visualise how you can use the outdoors for more of your living needs. Not only will that add to your living area in house, it will also give your family and you a break from indoor confinement while enjoying nature in privacy.

Maintenance: Keep in mind the maintenance issues too. No matter how beautiful your creation is, if not maintained regularly, it will lose its charm. Therefore, before choosing the elements in your design, make sure how it will be maintained. Keep it uncomplicated if you are going to do it on your own.

Edit, edit, edit: When you have a plan in front of your eyes it is much easier to see where you are going overboard and out of proportion. And editing a design on paper is much easier and cheaper than doing it on ground. Too many of plants or too much of hardscaping, will look out of balance. Leaving an open space is as important as filling it and is the secret to success.

Night-time lighting gives a whole new look to the outdoors. Carefully plan and place the lighting and let the garden come alive at night. Spend your money and time in improving the ground issues like soil quality, drainage, irrigation, medicine, etc. These are the foundations of a flourishing garden for years to come. Refrain from impulsive shopping for plant and supplies or digging and planting – follow the plan.

Happy Landscaping!
(The author is a Landscape Designer and can be reached at johrisurabhi@gmail.com.)