Backyard Intentions

April is Lawn and Garden Month! It’s one of our favorite times of year to discuss how various elements can all work together to create a great backyard for your family and friends to enjoy.

Make a Long Term Plan

Even if you don’t have the budget to do everything on your lawn and garden list right now you can still create a cohesive design throughout your yard by planning ahead. All too often we start one project without a clear idea of how everything will fit together in the end. Before beginning this year’s projects, make a master plan for your exterior. The most important element is the style or theme that you want to incorporate in your yard. This master plan can guide your project decisions and ensure that it all comes together even if it takes more than one season to get everything done.

Use Local Materials

In Central Texas we’re already big fans of stone exteriors and design elements. Natural stone can be used to create recess walls, paths, raised garden beds, pond surrounds and even added on decks and gazebos to add a visual element or makeshift seating.

Low Maintenance and Low Water Consumption

It’s a big factor for green design as it helps conserve a limited resource and cuts down on monthly utility costs. Lawn and garden features worth trying include grass varieties that don’t need as much water, succulent gardens, rain barrels, mulch and more.

Use Your Environment as Inspiration

A growing trend is to use the natural environment as a design factor. Things to consider when using your environment to design an outdoor space include:  your microclimates, existing native plants, your soil.  Rather than working against what nature has given you consider how you can incorporate exterior additions into what’s already there.