A good backyard landscaping idea is one that everyone can make use of. There are many different backyard landscaping ideas and most of them are pretty good but to find the one that is right for you and that is just what your yard needs may take some reading. This article will help you to find the perfect backyard landscaping idea for your home.
photo credit: magnusfranklin

A good backyard landscaping idea is to use evergreens. The use of these fabulous trees will do o much for any yard. They will add a stately nature to the feel of your home while keeping it welcoming and warm. Many people like to use deciduous trees in the yard and this is always a good idea but it is the evergreens that will give the yard the structure and the stability that it needs for a good backyard landscaping idea and design.

You need to look for a backyard landscaping idea like the one above that will benefit you all year round. Deciduous trees will not be gorgeous in all seasons, most perhaps, but not all. Evergreens on the other hand are always fantastic and they look as beautiful in the winter as they do in the summer and this is why they make for such a great backyard landscaping idea. The key to any great landscaping design is to find a backyard landscaping idea like this that will keep your yard interesting no matter what time of the year it is.

Another good backyard landscaping idea is to use hardscape. This is the use of things like rocks, fences and walls. These can make your yard look very interesting during all of the seasons. You can have climbing plants on it in the summer and spring and pretty trees around it that will look great in the winter. When looking for a good backyard landscaping idea you need to look for other options besides just plants. There is much more to landscaping than just plants and trees.
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Walls and fences can frame your property beautifully and using them is such a great backyard landscaping idea because they will just accent all of your other wonderful backyard landscaping ideas. They will frame your yard as a picture frame frames a gorgeous painting. Look at this kind of backyard landscaping idea as well in your search for the one.

Your backyard landscaping is going to have to be about many different things but the most important one of these if your well being. Most people get into backyard landscaping because they want to change the look and feel of their home, they want to make it a wonderful place where their family can feel safe and comfortable at all times. Backyard landscaping is a great way to add some more peace to your life whether you are alone or you have a large family and tons of kids. You will be able to create a sanctuary with your backyard landscaping that you have never had before in your life.

Backyard landscaping does not have to be drastic or hard. You can do your own backyard landscaping or you can hire a contractor to do it all for you. The choice is yours but doing it yourself can be a lot of work, especially if you do not have any experience in this type of thing. There are all kinds of things that you will need to learn about before you start doing your own backyard landscaping. You will have to take a crash course in landscaping and this course will be jammed packed with all kinds of info that you never even knew was out there. You may be able to save some money on the work if you do your won backyard landscaping but if you screw things up too badly you may end up paying even more to get everything fixed.

If you want to get some backyard landscaping done you should only do it yourself if it is going to be a simple and straightforward job. If you need irrigation things dealt with and planes and elevations leave it to the professionals that do it for a living. These things may be over your head entirely. You need to watch out how you go about your backyard landscaping or you could end up with quite a mess on your hands.

There are a couple of great places for you to learn some more about backyard landscaping such as the local public library and the internet. You can get many backyard landscaping books out of the library and these will help you to make the best decisions as to your landscaping needs. You can also get many do it yourself tips online.

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The words “Backyard landscape design” can sound daunting if your backyard needs a fair amount of work or a total overhaul. But with a few small steps and planning the task will be easier than you first anticipated. It may actually turn into a family event that adds fun to your weekends.
photo credit: Ganymedes Costagravas

The first step in redesigning your backyard is to consider the uses of the family. Many of these are obvious such as entertaining or a children’s play area. Other such as a backyard theme, focal points, sun, shade, hardiness zone, pets, drainage and maintenance are equally important. And finally color; contrast, texture and soil affect the plants, trees and beauty of the backyard.

So take you time and plan what your immediate needs are to turn the backyard into a functional area. Then work on smaller projects. When planning use paper and lay out a rough design. It’s always easier to change a plan than redo a started or finished project.

As you are planning some of your bigger projects such as a pool, pond, children’s play area or patio check on some of the overlooked landscape design areas that play an important role in the success of your backyard oasis.

Most important: Check for any City or State building codes. Also check any Home Association rules if they apply to your housing area. And as basic as this sounds, make sure you know your property boundaries. My neighbors built the corner of their house extension onto the corner of my property so accidents do happen and it can create a serious problem.
photo credit: brewbooks

Surface Drainage is important in any yard, even for adding a garden. It becomes a bigger concern when installing retaining walls, large areas of concrete or a hardscaping project. And when altering your existing grounds analyze how the water will drain. Make sure that the water will flow away from your house and any low-lying areas in your backyard. The best time to notice your drainage and making notes is after a heavy rainstorm.

Your hardiness zone and climate will influence your larger projects. Is your summer long enough for a pool? If your nights are warm and the summer long you will more than likely want a larger outdoor entertainment area. If the nights are colder you may want a patio that can be partially enclosed for extended use.

Climate will also guide your plant selection. Most plants will have a tag that will tell you the hardiness zone and care the plant will need to grow successfully. Your local nursery will also be able to help you select plants that will thrive in your backyard. A good plant encyclopedia and the Internet will also provide helpful information.

One more important point to consider while planning is maintenance. In today’s hectic lifestyle a low maintenance landscape may be essential. You will also have more time to enjoy your backyard oasis paradise if it’s easy to care for.

There are still a few important area for backyard design but these basic needs will get you started in redoing you backyard and making the perfect family retreat for entertaining and family fun.

Check out part two of Backyard Design Ideas for ideas on focal points, selection of color, lighting, backyard areas and seasons in the backyard.

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Ponds add to any backyard oasis by creating a more relaxing atmosphere and a tropical feeling to your living area. The addition of Koi fish to your pond will add more color, tranquility and entertainment to the pond area.
photo credit: Mr.Thomas

Koi fish are a more colorful domestic version of carp. Each Koi has very unique color patterns and watching their elegant movements in the water will fascinate children and adults alike. A well-designed Koi pond will turn any back yard into a backyard oasis paradise. Many Koi pond decorations include waterfalls, lights and ornamental sculptures.

How to decorate your backyard Koi Pond.

Water plants add to the gardens tropical look and benefit the fish by supplying nutrients and fresh air to the pond. They also give the Koi a place to relax and hide from the sun and predators. Water lilies and water hyacinth are good choices for you pond. You may also want to look at lotus plants. Make sure the plants are well established in you pond before adding fish that will be about two weeks time. Also you need to keep your Koi well fed with plants and vegetation from other sources so they won’t eat all the plants in their pond. Koi don’t eat salvinia (water velvet), so this plant is another option that you can add to your pond décor.

Install a waterfall or fountain as part of your backyard Koi pond. A waterfall ventilates the pond and supplies much-needed air to keep Koi and plants healthy. It will help keep algae under control with the movement of water. And a waterfall or fountain adds beauty through the water movements, light reflections and relaxing sounds of bubbling water. Water fountains add an elegance to the pond and backyard .  They also add air to the water helping to keep the pond clean and algea free.

Use stones to decorate around or in the pond. You can go for the natural look. I would chose interesting rock shapes in varying sizes. You can also select colorful vibrant stones from garden centers or a pet store.  Take time to arrange them in eye pleasing forms. This is a project your children might also enjoy helping you with. I would also try to set a few of the rock up so that the fish could hide or relax in them
photo credit: Mr.Thomas

By landscaping the area around your Koi pond you can make the pond look natural and like it’s always been a part of you backyard oasis. Add shrubs, flowers and other plants, both annual and perennial. If you have enough space in your yard you may want to add a stone path that leads to the Koi pond. This will lead the eye and people to your pond making it a focal point in your backyard oasis paradise.

Lights added around your pond will extend the time you spend in the backyard at night and add a mystical feel to the pond area. Tiki lights, hanging lanterns, tree lights and glass floats for the ponds are only a few of the selections you will have. Another lighting alternative are submersible spotlights and egg-shaped lights. Shop around for you best prices.

Most of all enjoy your pond and backyard oasis.

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Your backyard oasis will take on more of a relaxing atmosphere if you add a small water fountain or pond. There are many large water fountains that you can add but a small fountain made with items from your home or a local garage sale or auction will liven up a small garden area. It is one of those backyard design projects that will only take a few hours.

The following You Tube has a very easy and inexpensive backyard water fountain that will only take a few hours to add and could easily turn into a family project. The video is easy to understand and with a few trips for supplies you could have a water fountain in your backyard in a few days.

This water fountain is easy to assemble. The cost if you have most of the items would be less than $20. What a great price for garden art that will add hours of relaxation and pleasure for friends and family that visit your backyard.

Other inexpensive water fountain ideas could be an old barrel, copper pots or even teapots! I saw a 4-layered teapot fountain that was assembled using old teapots from an auction. Teacups were added to the side for accent and the entire set up cost less than a few dollars plus the price of the water pump and hose. You will only be limited by your imagination.

There is something about the sound of water splashing that relaxes most people. The addition of a water fountain is often fast and moderately priced. And the extra fun it adds to your backyard retreat is worth the time.

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A Backyard Patio will extend your living area, even if your yard is small. By combining your indoor living space with outdoor space you create a flow that gives the feel of more room. And for the best results design your backyard patio around what your backyard offers and make the most of every detail or possible problem. A hillside or stream area can even be added into your patio plans with stunning results.
photo credit: madmoiselle lavender❤ (gone for 2 weeks)

In order to get the best design for your patio you should plan out a design on paper. Your design can be simple as using graft paper or you can use some of the graft design programs available online.  If your project is big you may consider hiring a landscaper.

Another consideration in your backyard patio design is making sure it compliments your house. Traditional or formal looking houses will look nice with an older look and a classic brick patio and aged looking furniture. A cottage garden home would be inviting with a small rounded patio ringed with a decorative picket fence. While a contemporary styled house might have a patio with smooth, simple clean lines.

Shape of your patio is also important. Rounded patios, surrounded by gardens will soften the hard edges of a house and create a private feeling, almost a secret garden effect. A wide, narrow patio works well for a large garden or lawn area and gives a more stylized look. If you yard is small blend the patio off from your porch or deck and make use of your small space by growing up or in containers.

When designing, think of your patio is an outdoor room and decorate that space so it becomes as useful as another room. This will make your patio comfortable and even more of an extension to your home a backyard oasis that you are trying to create.

Color is one of the final and most important ways to accent patio space. And by adding and changing the colors you will give this outdoor haven a new and fresh look anytime you choose. You can quickly change your color pattern with a folding screen, garden furniture or containers or flowers or hanging plants. Seasons also are a wonderful time to redo a color scheme.

photo credit: mattbuck4950

Add to the fun of your backyard oasis and start to  create and design your backyard patio today. You will extend your indoor and outdoor living space and add an area for friends and family to enjoy year round. Even in my cold Zone 5 climate the colors and lines of my patio relaxes me. So grab a few magazines or go online and round up ideas for creating that perfect patio hideaway

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