When you want to cost-effectively enhance your yard for the family and entertain, there are many ways to do this. You can create a space in small places, choose native plants and trees, keep the soil healthy, prevent runoff, and add specific features. Let’s review some simple ideas to begin the process.
Create a Special Space For Small Yards
When you have a small yard, you can still add some landscaping features to enhance your yard. Design a garden with potted plants on your porch or deck or design a small area for entertaining with outdoor furniture and plants. In small gardens, you can install a small water fountain or feature that adds to the ambiance. Many water fountains are self-contained, and the water is recirculated with a pump. Dining outside with a fountain or running water is relaxing and reduces stress. When you want to add a patio, use pavers to create an area for entertaining family and friends. Plant a garden that is easy to maintain and does not require much maintenance. Talk to your garden center to get ideas.
Plant Native Plants and Trees
Planting native flowers, shrubs, and trees is good for the environment. They are easy to grow and often are easier to care for. They adapt well to the local weather and often thrive. Often, native plants attract birds and insects that help the environment. Native trees often have fewer problems with growing than ones not from your region. When you plant native plants, you add appeal to your property and increase the value by about 15%. When you plant trees for privacy, it increases the value by about 20%. These plants need less water and do not need added nutrients added to the soil to thrive. These plants may be less expensive and more affordable when you buy them and often add beauty to your yard, too. They create privacy and reduce noise.
Add Special Features and Eco-friendly Furniture to Your Yard
Add a walkway to your garden, add a birdbath or bird feeder to attract birds and small animals. Outdoor entertainment is often more inviting when you add elements to your outdoor space. Add outdoor furniture for entertaining, made of teak, recycled plastic, and bamboo. You can find tables and chairs made with sustainable wood, loungers and other easy-to-use furniture for your specific needs.
Your family will enjoy the comfortable outdoor furniture when you serve dinner or entertain guests. To add shade to your outdoor space, you can have an awning installed, a constructed overhang, or a pergola. All these supply shade to areas that have no protection. Over 60% of homeowners said they did not use outdoor spaces because they lacked protection from the elements. Adding this feature will give you a chance to spend more time outdoors in privacy.
Keep the Soil Healthy and Prevent Runoff
Have your soil evaluated at a local garden center or university agricultural center to find out what it needs to improve in quality. It may need compost, fertilizer, and mulch to improve the condition. This will help you to grow local plants better. Aerating your lawn and property once or twice a year to put small holes in the soil to allow water and nutrients to get to plants. Prevent erosion by planting a hill or grass or ground cover that prevents erosion.
Use gravel or stone pathways that allow rain to go into the ground. Collect water in a outdoor rain barrel to use for watering plants and your lawn. Keep your yard raked and free of leaves, twigs and debris. Planting trees and shrubs in the right location in the yard can reduce energy bills for air conditioning by about 25%, so be strategic when you plant new items on your property.
These are some tips to add cost-effective landscaping to your yard and eco-friendly furniture. Your local garden centers can help you get started on creating an outdoor space for family and friends.
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