Backyard Landscaping Ideas

Backyard landscaping does not have to be a difficult task. It can be as simple as putting in a lawn, with a border of flowers, or it can involve a swimming pool, children's play area, a grilling island and dining area. But, do make it a place you wish to visit often. With neglect, your backyard can be that place you dread mowing or cleaning up, or it can be a wonderful extra room of your house.

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.

You should start by taking a walk around your backyard to get a good sense of what can or needs to be done. Check the slopes and levels of your property and see how the drainage is. This way you will be able to tell which landscaping ideas are right for your backyard. It would be a waste of time and money to begin a backyard landscaping project, only to find that it is not suitable for your property.

Next, ask yourself, "what do I want to achieve with my backyard." Do you want a play space for your children? Do you want a tranquil place for yourself to read or meditate, or just get away from it all? Do you want to grow vegetables or flowers?

Tips on How to Landscape Your Backyard

Backyard landscaping is not just positioning plants in your backyard.  takes some thought and planning.

1. Set up your boundaries. Put up some fences or use a hedge or border to set the perimeter. Be creative, it does not have to be a fence or hedge. It might consist of bushes with a wooden fence and gate. Consider other alternatives and combinations that you might use also.
2. After setting up the boundaries of your yard, look for areas where planting might be a problem. You might use these areas as play areas for your children, your pets, or places to put such things as trash cans or a storage unit.
3. Decide if you want to add a lawn. You could choose grass or, if you dislike mowing, some other groundcover which doesn't require mowing. You may also want to use a combination of grass, along with river rock or wood chips to cut down on the maintenance. You would probably want to use grass or some other soft ground cover for the children's area.
4. You need to find a space for trees, shrubs, etc. Planting a tree close to the children’s play area would provide needed shade for them while playing.
5. Next thing is planning your planting area. This could be a vegetable garden or flower garden.
6. You should also consider creating a walkway from your backdoor to the areas you'll be spending time in, such as the children's play area, grilling station and dining table, or meditative area. This can be done by using bricks, pebbles, flagstone, etc., or you could simply cement it and put flowers either side.

Consider Using Themes in your Backyard Landscaping

There are so many plant and outdoor furniture option available that you may be overwhelmed trying to narrow down your choices. Using a theme can be very helpful. For example, perhaps you want a butterfly theme. You may then choose lawn furniture with butterfly patterns, or plant flowers which attract butterflies.

Backyard Landscaping Theme Ideas

Water Theme - With a water theme you could choose to build a pond, with a fountain, or put different types of fountains throughout the area. Ponds not only look great in a well landscaped back yard, they also make the area cooler.

Nautical Theme - A nautical theme incorporates all things boat and sea related, from statuary to lighthouses.

Tropical Theme - Think straw and palms, as well as a pond and waterfalls. A tropical-themed bar would look really good in a tropical-themed back yard, complete with a straw-thatched roof and bamboo front. Bird of Paradise and Calla Lilies are two plants that really make a tropical theme.

Desert Theme - A desert theme is really great if you want to cut down on mowing and watering. You could use small pebbles instead of grass, with beds of cacti, as well as other desert trees. If you have children, though, desert landscaping with sharp rocks and cacti may not be the best idea.

Meditative Garden Theme - Think calm and reflective, with fountains and nice sitting areas.

Entertaining Theme - For those of you who plan to entertain in your backyard, you will want areas set up for your guests to congregate, such as a swimming pool area or hot tub, as well as a large area to set up chairs and dining tables. Be sure to pick a nice spot for your grill or grilling island.

Kids Theme - If your backyard is primarily used for the enjoyment of your children, then design the yard with them in mind. Consider trees for shade, perhaps one that can support a tire swing. Be sure you have a wide open area for their swingset, playhouse, and sandbox. Keep out plants that are poisonous, or that could injure them, such as sharp cacti.

As with all backyard landscaping themes, you will want to have a separate area designated for the family dog, so that the dog can't dig up your plants, and your guests don't have to worry about stepping in any dog droppings.

Synonyms:  Back yard and backyard are used synonymously.

ackyard, abckyard, bckyard, bcakyard, bakyard, bakcyard, bacyard, bacykard, backard, backayrd, backyrd, backyrad, backyad,
backyadr, backyaard and backyar are typos for "backyard."