Extensive research, massive budgetary considerations, and what feels like never ending time commitments can really drag motivation to tackle a yard. We’ve all had days where we need an easy win. Well, here’s our landscaping equivalent! Read on for our 8 simple landscaping ideas!
1. Love the Lawn You’re With
A complete makeover with many landscape projects isn’t always necessary (especially when staying on a budget). An existing lawn can be spruced up significantly through simple maintenance like mowing, edging, aeration, and fertilization. Correct patchy spots with a quick re-seed. If things are getting overgrown, take an afternoon to prune and trim shrubs and trees.
Setting aside one day to clean up the yard yields big results. Pressure wash or gently hose down hardscape and scrub off undesired dirt, algae, and moss. Weed along walks and in flower beds. Finish the job by picking up yard debris and removing it from the property. Elbow grease is required, but it’s simple work with instant curb appeal.
2. Install Raised Beds
Raised garden beds are an excellent way to add both beauty and practicality to a backyard. Use them to grow herbs, flowers, or even a prolific vegetable garden.
DIY raised beds are easy to build with lumber or by purchasing a raised bed kit from a local garden supply store. If going DIY, many home improvement stores will cut lumber to length so homeowners don’t have the hassle of cutting it. All that’s needed is assembling at the site.
Getting the bed off the ground simplifies several aspects of gardening. Raised gardens filled with good soil have excellent drainage, composition, aeration, and nutrients. They’re also less of a backbreaker to tend.
3. Plant in Containers
Anyone can garden in a tiny backyard by putting plants in containers. Little succulents are a fantastic, low-maintenance way to add some greenery to a space, and boxwoods add elegance. It’s even possible to grow some types of fruits and vegetables in pots on the patio. Meyer Lemon trees and grape tomatoes are good varietals to try.
To really maximize space, try vertical gardening for small backyards. It’s amazing how many plants can thrive in a small space when organized appropriately. Vertical gardens simplify weeding because of the small footprint and can double as privacy screening.
And don’t forget the front porch! A bright pop of color beside the front door makes a great first impression. It’s one of our favorite front yard landscaping ideas because it looks so welcoming!
4. Add Mulch
Mulch is amazing. It is inexpensive to install, beginner friendly, lightweight to shovel, easy to rake into place, prevents weed growth, maintains even moisture, and breaks down to improve soil quality over time. It’s magic stuff.
It’s also a super simple way to cover unsightly areas of dirt and minimizes mud in rainy conditions. There are many colors and textures available, so there’s sure to be one that compliments your yard. Front of house, backyard, and side yard get a cohesive look when the same mulch is applied in all spaces.
5. Work With Rocks
Rocks are a great addition to landscaping. They supply strength to raised structures and walls, define borders, and create drama and versatility in otherwise green landscapes. They’re also very low-maintenance.
Big boulders are commonly stacked together for retaining walls or used as focal points. Flat flagstones make beautiful, rustic patios and stepping stone paths. Gravel or river rock provides long-lasting ground cover. Just lay a bit of landscaping fabric underneath to smother the weeds and this becomes a low-maintenance way to polish up the garden.
It’s also a great idea to create pathways with rocks. Pea gravel paths are a favorite around garden beds and will keep the mud at bay in wet conditions. Larger rock stepping stones create winding trails that lead visitors through the garden and create a sense of depth to a small yard.
6. Plant Low-Maintenance Perennials
Some people might love the idea of replanting annual blooms each year, but not everyone has time for that. Low-maintenance perennials are the way to go for busy homeowners.
There is a wide variety of colors and species to choose from, making them perfect for front yards, backyards, and any type of themed landscaping. After initial installation in the first year, flowering perennials will keep blooming on their own year after year. If dead heading spent flowers isn’t appealing, evergreen shrubs and trees will fill space with negligible care. Take a look at this ultimate guide for Georgia perennial plants courtesy of the University of Georgia Extension.
7. Add Edging
Edging and curbing are some of the simplest ways to add a professional touch to landscaping. The clean lines define beds and lawns and can be straight and ordered or relaxed and curving. There are a variety of materials available to accommodate a range of price points and aesthetic tastes.
Some creative homeowners use upcycled pallet boards, recycled objects, and logs to make free or low-cost edging. Bricks, pavers, decorative gravel, and concrete are more traditional choices.
8. Create an Outdoor Entertaining Space
For those who want to take the backyard up a notch, consider creating a comfortable outdoor entertaining space. A hot backyard with too much intense sun can go from unusable to comfortable with just a few pieces of outdoor furniture and a shade umbrella. Simple patios can be formed from pavers or pea gravel.
String lights placed around the outdoor space add ambiance to the area. To save money on outdoor lighting, consider solar powered lights. They look great placed in flower gardens, accenting the front door and sidewalk, and beside trees.
Where permitted, fire pits or propane powered fire features are popular focal points at evening gatherings. Alternately, a water feature is a fantastic finishing touch to the landscape design.
Have an Idea of Your Own?
Atlanta Turf & Tree is happy to assist, and our landscaping services experts are here to help. We are a Georgia-based company specializing in lawn care and landscaping tailored to the unique opportunities and challenges of the greater Atlanta area. We have over 35 years of combined experience in the industry, and we combine that expertise with a deep appreciation for landscaping as art.
