Some people love the business of a good DIY project for their lawn and garden. Starting a DIY project is a great way to distract yourself and drown out the noise around you, like stressful news or things simply out of your control. It allows you to focus, plan, work with your hands and enjoy the empowering feeling of creating something on your own. Whether you dream about a small garden bed or a whole landscape transformation, you need to figure out what you can conquer yourself and what you need help with. On this page we will give you ideas and tips on how to evaluate the possibilities and challenges of do-it-yourself landscaping and we're here to help! 

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1. Analyze your skill Set: Do some research and start with a few good basics, as well as small containers, for an introduction on how to grow different types of plants in different situations and how to take a more measured and deliberate approach.

If you're fairly experienced with soil types and plants and have the time, then do-it-yourself landscaping may be just for you. Even so, an overall plan is a must so you can create a cohesive look to your do-it-yourself approach. 

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2. Figure Out Your Style: Depending on the current condition of your yard and your desired end result, your gardening style may determine how much or how little you're able to accomplish with do-it-yourself landscaping. Your landscape is really a direct expression of your taste and attitude, and it also can be a place that provides a thoughtful and deliberate spot for activities you wish to do. For example, some people may be content with small tweaks to what they already have -- a few beds and borders surrounding a lawn, for example. Those simpler landscapes which focus on maximizing existing elements lend themselves easily to do-it-yourself landscaping. But more extensive landscaping such as lots of shrubs, complicated beds, plenty of hardscaping, may require more muscle and expertise.

 

3. Clear the Clutter: It may seem insurmountable to think about do-it-yourself landscaping, but there's a trick to get your started. Look at your yard as a palette, and to do that, you have to get the biggest offenders out of the way. For example, take a few weekends to clear clutter or remove overgrown elements. Those are great tasks to do yourself and things that most people are comfortable with. Even small changes may help you step back and see your landscape with fresh eyes and help you establish a vision, which in turn helps you determine if you can take a do-it-yourself approach to landscaping.

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4. Consult an Expert: Even if you're convinced that you have what it takes for do-it-yourself landscaping, it may be worthwhile to budget a small fee to have a landscape professional help evaluate your ideas and come up with a concrete plan. A designer can sit down with you and help you think about activities and goals and pull together a realistic budget.

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5. Consider a Hybrid Approach: It's a newer approach but one that more and more landscape designers and homeowners are using: a combination of professional consultation and do-it-yourself landscaping. 

 

6. Break Out Pricing: Some landscape tasks may cost less than you think; some may cost more. To figure out what fits into your budget, break down an overall plan by section and price so that you can evaluate what you can and can't afford to do.

 

7. Divide and Conquer: Just because you've come up with a plan doesn't mean it has to be implemented in a single year. In fact, most homeowners should look at an overall vision that's phased in over a couple years. To gain the most in curb appeal, start in the front yard and work your way back. Phasing in a project may also allow you to pay for some landscaping tasks in later years while doing some yourself up front.

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