Spring is the perfect time to get outdoors and flex your green thumb. After a long winter, your garden will likely need some serious maintenance. When done well, landscaping can significantly improve your home’s curb appeal. If it’s done poorly, however, your home can quickly become lost in a sea of weeds and overgrown bushes. As you begin to make your plans for spring, be sure to consult these three things to consider when landscaping.
Permits and zoning
The first thing you’ll need to consider when landscaping is the necessary permits for your intended plans. Zoning regulations and building permits are generally governed on a local scale, so be sure to contact your local ordinance offices regarding specific permits. In general, permits are only required for large renovations. If you plan to build a gazebo or koi pond in your yard, for instance, you will likely need to acquire a building permit beforehand. Smaller landscaping projects such as trimming bushes or rearranging gardens, however, probably won’t require a permit. Even if a permit isn’t required for your project, you should still familiarize yourself with local ordinances and be aware of your home’s property lines. When planning your project, be sure to keep all foliage within your property lines to keep your neighbors on your good side.
Maintenance and longevity
If you’re planning to plant additional foliage in your yard, you’ll also need to consider the plants’ future maintenance needs and longevity. A lush garden overflowing with bushes and blossoms may seem fantastic in theory, but it will require significant upkeep through the years. When you’re planning any landscaping project, it’s important to remember that less is often more. A few well-placed bushes and trees and a carefully curated garden can be equally as stunning as a yard teeming with flora and fauna. Pick your plants according to how much time you have to tend to them through the years. If you’d prefer a more laid-back approach to gardening, consider choosing perennial plants, which will reappear every year with little to no assistance.
Waste removal methods
One thing people commonly overlook when they’re landscaping is waste removal. Landscaping produces far more waste than many people realize, and disposing of it can be quite a hassle. Additionally, some yard waste isn’t acceptable for disposal in a regular garbage can. Depending on the type of landscaping you’re doing and the amount of waste you’ve produced, you may need to consider alternate methods for yard waste disposal.
