Summer Lovin'
Transform your backyard blues into a fresh and fabulous retreat
Image courtesy Bob Capazzo
For the beginning gardener, the backyard can be an intimidating space to tackle. Judy Nauseef, president of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers, recommends using newspapers, magazines and garden center catalogues to get inspired.
"Do as much groundwork as you can," Nauseef says. "Look through magazines to give you ideas of what looks good and bring those to a garden center. Styles and plants are sometimes hard to explain." In addition, take a few photos of your own yard to help garden centers better fulfill your outdoor needs by seeing what you're working with.
Do a little prep work too - turn over your beds, refresh the mulch and do some pruning, Nauseef says. "You want to be nice and neat so you're ready to plant," she says. "Spring maintenance also helps you see what you're missing and what hasn't survived the winter."
Jamie Gibbs, interior and landscape designer in New York City, says invasive perennials are great growers with really good value.
"They are really low maintenance and you'll be a lot happier with something that fills an entire space," Gibbs says. Garden centers will often put three stems within one pot, giving you three plants for the price of one. Use a sharp meat cleaver and cut the soil, dividing the plants into individuals to plant them separately, he says.
When it comes to lighting your yard, Gibbs says to avoid the airstrip look. Instead of lining up lights in two rows along your walkway, limit lights to the beginning, end or curves of a path. "A little additional wire is cheaper than an extra set of lights," Gibbs says. "Space out eight to 10 lights so they only accent where people need to move."
Look for seasonal sales at your local garden or hardware store. But Gibbs warns that cost over quality is a bad decision when it comes to lawn furniture.
"Don't skimp on the furniture," he says. "If you can't do it once and do it right, then wait."
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