Want to change your boring yard a bit? Maybe plant something new. Maybe just add a new tree or bush.

It's easy to feel you can do things that look easy until you get into them only to find out it's way beyond your experience and knowledge. You don't know which plant needs sun or ones that can only do well in shade. That can quickly change a simple add this here into a night mare.

You need to have a plan before you start. Having to constantly change as you get going can be due to the fact you didn't educate yourself in what was needed in order to make it work. You can spend a lot of money to only have everything die.

Don't start planting a plant here or there due to the fact you had room for it in that spot. What you need to learn is if that plant will grow well in the sun light and drainage that spot has. In order to know that you have to know a lot about that species of plant. That fact alone is why a landscape plan is and has to be your first step.

You also need to decide if having a nice green lawn in your yard is what you really want. Do you live in an area where there's watering restrictions? If so, than maybe having that huge yard wouldn't be the wisest idea. You also need to address the fact you miight not want all those grass clippings to be in your new flower bed.

Do you have the time and are you able to take care of that big yard? You maybe don't have the time and you don't have the money to pay professional gardener's. Cutting back on the size or making a low maintenance yard might be the answer for you.

Another thing to think of and do some research for your area is how much color does your landscape get on the typical off seasons. Do you want more color in the fall and winter months? If so, you need to explore what plants will provide that in your area. This can be done but you need to check plants for your area of the country. Plan ahead.

Installing an irrigation system will often save you money as plants get water for their needs and water isn't wasted. You can easily at the beginning set up an irregation system and a drip watering system for your plants. You certainly don't want to have to tear out and replant as you didn't plan to have any plantings in that area.

Do you have a steep slope in your yard? Is it tough to retain your topsoil there during a heavy rain? Have you tried growing your favorite plants there to no avail? The problem is that you failed to fix your erosion problem prior to planting. Build a retaining wall first or select something else for that area.

These are some of the things you need to take a close look at to determine before you start. Often your home centers have people trained and will be more than happy to help you. Remember functionality often takes precedence over aesthetics. That's why planning and educating yourself is the first step.

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