Hardscaping is a great way to customize your yard and add curb appeal. But if you’ve never done it before, it can be overwhelming.
Hardscaping is when you replace existing soil with other materials such as concrete or stone, which can add value and change the aesthetic of your home.
Hardscape projects are also a great way to improve drainage issues or create more usable space in your yard. However, there are some mistakes that people make when deciding how they want to hardscape their property.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. When hardscaping, be sure to avoid common mistakes like not considering drainage, selecting the wrong materials, or failing to plan for future maintenance requirements. |
| 2. Hardscaping can be a great way to add both beauty and functionality to your outdoor living space. |
| 3. To get the most out of your hardscaping project, take the time to carefully plan and design your space, and be sure to use quality materials and work with reputable contractors or designers. |
| 4. Stay up-to-date with the latest hardscape trends and design techniques to help you create a beautiful and functional outdoor space that you can enjoy for years to come. |
Here are some dos and don’ts for planning out your next hardscaping project:
Don’t Plant Your Garden Too Early
While it may be tempting to get your garden started early, it’s important to wait until the soil is ready. If you plant too early, diseases and pests can take hold of your plants before they have a chance to grow strong enough to fight them off.
Even if these problems don’t affect your harvest entirely (and they might), they’re still annoying and frustrating–and nobody wants that!
Plus, planting too soon means that certain plants won’t reach their full potential: for example, tomatoes need at least 70 days of warm weather before they’ll produce fruit; if planted earlier than this window opens up for them in springtime then there will be no harvestable tomatoes at all!
Hardscaping can transform any outdoor space into a beautiful and functional area. Learn everything you need to know about hardscaping in our comprehensive guide, The Ultimate Guide to Hardscaping, including expert tips, design ideas, and more.
Do Create A Focal Point In Your Yard
You may not be able to see it from your house, but there’s a lot of beauty in the world. Take advantage of it by creating a focal point in your yard.
This could be anything from a fountain or sculpture to an outdoor fireplace and seating area–it just needs to be something that you enjoy looking at and will catch the attention of those who visit your home.
The focal point should be placed in the center of your yard so that it can be seen from all sides when entering or leaving through either gate on either side of property (as well as any windows).
| Focal points for yards |
|---|
| Water features |
| Outdoor fireplaces or firepits |
| Garden statues |
| Decorative planters |
| Lighting fixtures |
| Hammocks or swings |
| Garden art |
| Pergolas or arbors |
This table lists different items or features that can serve as a focal point for your yard. Creating a focal point can help draw the eye and add visual interest to your outdoor space, and incorporating one or more of these elements can help you achieve that effect.
Do Choose The Right Plants For Your Climate
Choosing the right plants for your hardscape is a key part of creating an outdoor space that you’ll enjoy. It’s important to keep in mind the climate and sun exposure of your yard, as well as how much maintenance each plant requires.
Here are some tips:
Choose plants appropriate for your climate. If you live in an area with mild winters and hot summers, choose drought-tolerant shrubs like crepe myrtle or juniper that won’t need watering during those months when it’s too cold or hot outside.
If you live somewhere where winters are harsh but summers aren’t too bad, consider adding flowering perennials like hosta or hellebore instead–they’re easygoing until summer hits (and then they’ll grow quickly).
Looking for creative ideas to enhance your backyard? Discover our list of 17 Creative Hardscaping Ideas for Your Backyard that will help you transform your outdoor living space into a beautiful and functional oasis.
Don’t Use Too Many Perennials
It’s important to remember that perennials can be expensive. If you’re just starting out with your hardscaping project, it might be best to stick with annuals and other low-maintenance plants until you’re sure that this is something you’re going to want in your garden for years to come.
Perennials are great for small gardens because they don’t require much maintenance, but if your space is large enough for them (and if you have the budget), then by all means go ahead and give them a try!
When planting perennials in groups like this, it’s important not only that each plant get enough sunlight so that it can thrive individually; it also needs help from its neighbors so they can support each other as well.
It may seem counterintuitive at first glance–why would I want my plants competing against each other? But remember: Your goal here isn’t just beauty–it’s privacy as well!
Creating an inviting outdoor living space requires more than just furniture and decor. Learn expert tips and tricks for maximizing your outdoor living space with our guide, Maximizing Your Outdoor Living Space – Expert Tips and Tricks, which covers everything from layout and design to lighting and hardscaping.
Do Invest In Good Quality Mulch Or Ground Cover
Good quality mulch or ground cover will help to conserve water, keep soil temperature cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, prevent weeds from growing, add color and texture to your yard.
Do Use The Right Edging For Your Yard
Edging is the material that you place along the edges of your yard to define its boundaries and give it a clean look. There are many different types of edging materials, each with their own benefits and drawbacks.
Brick: This is one of the more popular options for hardscaping because it looks great and can be used in both formal or informal settings.
It’s also relatively easy to install yourself if you have access to bricks at a salvage yard or building supply store–just lay them out on top of your existing turfgrass (or even just dirt), fill any gaps between them with dirt, and then add mulch around them to finish off the look! If you’re not looking to dig up all those grasses though, consider another option instead:
Are you planning to start a hardscaping project but don’t know where to begin? Check out our article on 10 Surprising Hardscaping Tips You Need to Know for some useful tips and tricks that will help make the process smoother and more enjoyable.
Don’t Stake Everything In One Place
You might be tempted to place a single stake in the ground, and then tie all of your plants, flowers and fences to it. Don’t do this!
Hardscaping is about balance–you need some things that are more permanent than others. If you stake everything together with one big stake, then it’ll look like everything is connected in a way that’s not natural or realistic for the environment around it.
| Items to avoid staking in one location |
|---|
| Trees |
| Shrubs |
| Plants |
| Flowers |
| Horticulture |
| Vegetation |
| Grass |
| Bushes |
This table lists various items that should not be staked in one location when planting them in a garden or outdoor space. Doing so can disrupt the soil and lead to poor root growth or other issues, so it’s important to spread them out and give each item enough space to thrive.
Do Hire A Professional To Help You With Design And Installation Of Hardscaping Projects
If you’re planning to hire a professional, there are a number of reasons why it’s best to do so. For example, if you don’t have any experience with landscaping and hardscaping projects, then it’s probably best that you hire someone who does.
A professional will be able to help you choose the right materials for your project and ensure that everything is done correctly from start to finish.
They’ll also have experience working with different types of terrain and weather conditions so they know what will work best in each situation.
Additionally, many people hire professionals because they want their hardscaping project completed quickly without having to worry about doing all the labor themselves or getting injured while doing so (especially if there are heavy objects involved).
Keep up with the latest trends in hardscaping with our guide to The Top Trends in Hardscaping. From natural materials to smart technology, we explore the newest and most popular trends that can help you create a stunning outdoor space.
Conclusion
We hope you’ve found this guide helpful, and we encourage you to keep reading more about landscaping.
If you’re interested in creating an outdoor space that works with your home and lifestyle, contact us today!
We can help with everything from design to installation of hardscaping projects so that they will last for years to come.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources on hardscaping that you may find helpful:
Hardscaping Advice for Beginners – This blog post offers practical advice and tips for those who are new to hardscaping.
Common Problems with Hardscaping and How to Avoid Them – This article details some of the most common issues people run into with hardscaping and provides solutions for avoiding them.
Hardscape Design and Installation – Swick and Son offers hardscape design and installation services in Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia.
FAQs
Here are a few frequently asked questions about hardscaping:
What is hardscaping?
Hardscaping refers to the use of hard materials, such as stone, brick, or concrete, to create outdoor features and structures like patios, walkways, retaining walls, and fire pits.
What are some benefits of hardscaping?
Hardscaping can add visual interest and functionality to your outdoor living space, increase your home’s value, and reduce maintenance requirements by providing a solid surface that limits the growth of weeds and other vegetation.
How much does hardscaping cost?
The cost of a hardscaping project can vary widely depending on factors like the size and scope of the project, the materials used, and the location. It’s a good idea to get multiple quotes from reputable contractors to get an idea of what your project might cost.
What materials are typically used in hardscaping?
Common materials used in hardscaping projects include natural stone, brick, concrete pavers, and composite decking materials.
Do I need a permit to do hardscaping work?
Permit requirements can vary depending on your location and the scope of your project. It’s always a good idea to check with your local government offices to find out if any permits are required before beginning work on your project.
Hi! My name is Hellen James, and I’m a landscape designer in Los Angeles. I’ve been working with homeowners and businesses to help them improve the look of their properties for over 10 years.
