Ever wake up on a Saturday morning, look out the window, and feel like you want to get a project done now! Or maybe the in-laws are coming for a barbecue tomorrow and something needs to be done about the yard today! Read on for our 19 quick and budget-friendly DIY landscaping ideas.
Plant Flower Beds Like a Pro
Ever wonder how people keep gorgeous flower beds all year long? They use a variety of flowering perennials, ornamental shrubs, and annuals at different heights.
DIY landscaping beginners should plan their gardens by looking at mature plant size, planting shorter flowers and small shrubs in the front and taller plants in the back to create dimension in their gardens. Finish the job with a layer of low maintenance mulch in the garden bed.
Add Hanging Baskets
People can add an endless amount of color to their yards by using hanging baskets. And better yet, it is a cheap, low budget, and simple landscaping idea well-suited to both large and small yards. Whether suspended along a porch, hung on a fence, or swaying from a shepherd’s hook, hanging baskets are an instant makeover anywhere they’re placed.
Georgia’s hot and humid summers allow widely available flowers like verbenas, marigolds, and petunias to flourish. Maintain them with our best advice found here.
Go Solar
Solar outdoor lights require no electricity or wiring, instead relying upon solar batteries to deliver light anywhere in the yard. And landscape lighting really is amazing for adding that finishing touch.
They’re perfect for guiding pedestrians along paths and driveways at night and adding ambience to the yard. They can also be placed near trip hazards to prevent falls.
Paint It
Both front of house and backyard get a major landscape design boost from a fresh coat of paint on furniture and décor. Old, chipped paint makes everything feel tired, but with a little DIY effort, yard accessories can be good as new.
Spray paint is a great option. It’s easy to use, often has topcoat included to save a step, and comes in a ton of colors. Have a new piece that doesn’t quite fit the color scheme? Spray paint makes quick work of color matching your outdoor space.
Plant Hostas Under a Tree
Georgia’s beautiful climate accommodates some spectacular, large tree species. As trees mature, the canopy becomes dense and broad and thirsty roots take up the water in the soil.
The shade and uneven moisture are tough on plants and it can be frustrating to end up with a “problem spot.” One of our best landscaping tips is to work with this area and plant perennials that thrive. After all, a perennial well-suited to its spot is an easy landscaping plant to care for.
Hostas do well in this environment. They come in a range of textures, sizes, and colors and are easy to maintain.
On the Edge
Beds and lawns without some sort of border can look messy. Luckily, homeowners can create beautiful, statement-making borders relatively easy.
Use a garden hose to try different border curves and spray landscaping paint to mark the final design. Then, install pavers or bricks to make DIY borders between lawns and beds. Alternately, plant a boxwood hedge for evergreen color.
Divide and Conquer
If an existing bed has desirable but overcrowded plants, many can be dug up and separated. Then, they can be planted with better spacing for a more pleasing look and better health.
Crowded plants can be stunted and more prone to fungal infections. Spreading them out saves money, makes the bed look fuller, and helps the plants stay healthy. Some plants that grow well in Georgia and can be divided include daylilies and hostas.
Add Seasonal Décor to Your Front Yard
There are all kinds of great ways to celebrate seasons and holidays while also adding a personal touch to the landscaping. A simple front yard idea is to decorate for your favorites!
Fall foliage arrangements and pumpkins along porch steps look great in autumn. Patriotic bunting along railings and pots of petunias give great summertime curb appeal. Front door wreaths and Christmas and holiday light displays are a few winter DIY projects.
Weed and Clean
The initial landscaping installation may be over, but it still takes effort to maintain the yard. Georgia’s climate is friendly to some lovely landscaping plants as well as plenty of weeds.
Regular weeding, cleaning, and lawn care maintenance tasks (mowing, trimming, aeration, edging and fertilizing) may feel time consuming, but they give any yard an instant face lift.
Go Where There Is a Path and Leave a (Better) Trail
Every yard has high-traffic areas, and the patchy, trampled grass can be a headache for any homeowner. Instead of working against these areas, incorporate them into design plans.
Hardscape like pavers, flagstone, brick, or stepping stones allow DIY landscapers to create beautiful features that work with their family’s traffic patterns. Use the paths to lead around the yard and add a sense of depth. A focal point like a patio or fire pit is a popular backyard landscaping addition.
Make Problem Areas Disappear
On that note, if a path isn’t what you’re looking for, landscaping with rocks, gravel, and a few hardy ground cover perennials are other options. If plants are completely off the table, xeriscaping can still beautify a space and make for attractive landscaping. Try layering stripes of different color and texture gravels beside each other to make a visually interesting border.
DIY a Unique Water Feature
Tutorials online abound for methods and ideas on building a unique water feature of your own. Many utilize a cascading design with two vessels (garden pots, repurposed buckets, or bowls), one from which the water emerges as a fountain or waterfall and one that operates as the return to collect the water. But, they can be a simple backyard addition if desired-plug in versions already assembled are available for purchase.
Use an outlet (GFCI for safety) to plug in a pond pump for the circulation. Note the gallons per hour to ensure flow is adequate and not overpowered.
Add a Trellis
Vertical gardening is popular for small gardens, boring fence lines, and creating a sense of seclusion along patios and entertaining spaces. Trellises for the plants to climb come in a wide variety of styles and materials.
Most perennial vining plants can be considered. Ivy is a traditional choice for trellis gardening. Clematis is another option that grows well and produces beautiful white, blue, pink, or purple flowers depending on species. Honeysuckle attracts hummingbirds and has a pleasant smell.
Gardening Right Along
Pathways frequently appear barren and boring due to a lack of color, so make pathways shine with plant containers. Whether opting for traditional pots or choosing to repurpose pieces, flower containers placed along paths, driveways, steps, and fences provide a beautiful pop of color and are easy to maintain.
Get Some Privacy
Most people want their homes to be a haven from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. But small, closely spaced yards can make quiet seclusion impossible in many neighborhoods.
One of our favorite backyard ideas is to make a home a private oasis. Look to privacy hedges or trees near property lines to make a home a tranquil escape. Smaller shrubs will be easier to plant with hand tools for DIY landscaping beginners, but will take longer to form a hedge.
Thrown Some Shade?
A shaded yard, whether from trees or neighboring buildings, stops most plants from living their best lives. But plenty of plants allow homeowners to landscape shady areas. Vinca vines, ferns, hostas, and ivy won’t complain about the lack of natural light and actually prefer some cover from the intense Georgia sun.
Install a Dry Creek Bed
Most yards contain areas where excess water gathers, which can be a challenge for DIY landscaping beginners. Fortunately, dry creek beds are both a practical solution and pleasing to see.
Created by constructing a trench filled with landscape fabric and boulders/rocks of varying sizes, dry creek beds collect excess water and place it directly back into the soil. They also double as rock gardens when the banks are planted with perennials like ornamental grasses.
Most will not require permitting if well within a yard, but homeowners should double check local requirements. Always have utilities marked before digging by contacting Georgia811.
Get an Annual Check-Up
Flowering annuals are fantastic for keeping a landscape beautiful through the seasons. They add cheer to small front yards and brighten side yards where larger perennials just don’t fit. Perennials come into bloom for a limited time and then the flowers fade. When they do, annuals can step up to provide color and texture to otherwise plain green spaces.
Because they last a season, annual flowers can be easily changed year to year for a fresh feel every spring. Plants are available as seed packets or small plants. Growing annuals from seed can be a great DIY landscaping project, and it can teach a lot about gardening.
Make Your Bed
Adding raised garden beds for flowers, vegetables, or strawberries is a wonderful way to garden without the work of amending all the soil in a space. Instead, commercially available soil can be brought in for an instantly fertile and well-draining medium.
Starting with excellent soil takes a lot of work and time out of the equation, letting homeowners work less and enjoy their yards more. Ambitious do-it-yourself-ers can make a DIY landscaping project out of building their own planters, or if preferred, an assortment of raised beds is available for purchase at home and garden centers.
Have Questions?
We’ve got answers! After 35 years of combined experience in the industry, Atlanta Turf & Tree has the experience and knowledge needed to advise on any landscaping challenges you’re facing in your Georgia yard. Contact our landscaping services experts today and get started on your dream renovation.
