Yard Smarts

1. Don't Lose The House
Do consider the size, shape, and style of your home when planning the yard. Landscaping should harmonize with the house, not overwhelm, obscure, or contradict it. Connect your yard and home with repeating design details, smooth transitions, and inside views.

2. Don't Disdain Design
Do have a plan. It's easy to get intoxicated by the first whiffs of spring and start digging holes and loading up on plants, but hold off until you have a plan.

3. Don't Get Sticker Shock
Do be realistic about money. It's easy to lowball landscaping costs if you haven't shopped around lately. For help in estimating the prices of common yard features, see Estimating Landscape Costs.
" Estimating Landscape Costs

4. Don't Be Shortsighted
Do see your landscape at maturity. Research the full-grown sizes of plants before buying and placing them. That small tree may one day take over your yard, altering sun and shade patterns. Vigorous shrubs and vines could soon cover a window or block a view.

5. Don't Think So Straight
Do use curves and wavy edges to increase visual interest and make a more natural-looking yard. There's nothing wrong with straight lines, but don't plant everything in rows or make every path direct.

6. Don't Put It All Behind
Do consider curb appeal. Even if you live in the backyard, the front shouldn't be bare. Use a gate, fence, arbor, or hedge to create an entry in front.

8. Don't Rely On Fireflies
Do make lighting an integral part of your landscape plans, not an afterthought. Good lighting enhances safety and security and lets you play or entertain well into the evening. At a minimum, steps, paths, driveways, and entrances should be well lit.

9. Don't Take On Too Much
Do choose plants, structures, and features that demand no more care than you're willing to provide. Otherwise, your landscape will soon be a burden you resent. Will you care for those roses? Will you clean that pond? Will you repaint the white picket fence every few years?