Top 5 Tips When Planning Your Yard

No doubt about it – Canadians are spending more quality time in their own backyards. And as a result, they’re also spending more time and money to plan their outdoor spaces. If you’re considering upgrades, here is my best advice about how to approach your project.

#1. Consider how you want to use the space.

Do you want to entertain, relax, play with kids, have a space for your pet, play sports, or sit around a fire pit? List everything you can think of and label each item as a ‘must have’ or a ‘nice to have’.

#2. Find some pictures of yards that you like.

What is it that you like about these yards? The layout, use of space, function, look, design style, materials used, and so on – list these items. Check my portfolio.

#3. Put together a budget.

What can you realistically afford? How much are you willing to spend to achieve the look, functionality and feel of your ideal yard?  This will help determine the design plan/materials/installation.

#4. Hire a landscape designer to plan your yard.

A landscape designer’s specialty is to look at your yard and provide recommendations that will help you achieve the functionality and visual appearance that your desire. This is a landscape designer’s area of expertise. I have completed University-level training to learn how to properly design your landscape given all aspects of site conditions, drainage, climate, plant material, budget, and so on. Just as you would not build your house without using experienced professionals and tradespeople who know what they are doing… why should your yard be any different? Poor planning of your landscaping can result in more expense and re-doing work in future.

#5. Determine an installation plan.

Will you hire a landscaper for the entire project? Can you take a phased approach? Is timing/budget more important than quality? Are you capable to DIY? A design for your dream yard is only the first step. You also need to be realistic about what you are willing and able to spend, if you are willing and capable of installing the landscape design, and if you have the time, ability, and desire to maintain the finished space.

In your eagerness to get your project going, you might be tempted to dash out to the garden centres and home improvement stores. It’ll serve you well if, first, you do this planning.

At Palazzo Landscape Design, we can help through every step of the process: Design. Build. Maintain. Let’s chat about your dream backyard.