Important Details of Your Backyard Planning
It can be extremely exciting to start a backyard makeover, but do not forget that the planning can be the most important part. If you do not plan accordingly, what you are hoping to accomplish won’t come to fruition whether because it does not look like you thought or because you run out of money or space. Consider the follow when executing the planning for the backyard of your dreams.
Build Your Budget
Before you get sold on doing a specific thing with your yard, consider your budget. If you want a pool, consider the pool cost. Some people have the dream of building a tennis or basketball court in their backyard, but this can be unrealistic if you do not have the funds to do so. Sit down with your finances and establish how much money you are willing to spend on your backyard and decide if there is anything that is a priority when determining your budget. That can help you decide if something is really worth the money before you start the concrete planning and therefore avoid some disappointment later on. After determining a more concrete plan, you can also revise the budget. A good rule of thumb is that you will almost always run into something in a large project that will cost more than expected, so when creating your budget, leave some wiggle room.
Assess Your Space and Audience
Once you have a basic idea of your budget, take a look at your space and dream within that space. This can pertain to a lot of different aspects of creating the backyard you have always wanted. If you want a tennis court or pool and have determined you have the budget for it, it is ultimately up to the space to decide if this is a possibility. If you have a small space, then a tennis court or a pool may not be an option, but you can consider building a half court or installing a hot tub instead.
If plants are going to be a large part of your space, then consider what environment you live in. A great resource is the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. This will allow you to determine what plants will thrive in your yard where others would perish quickly. Also take into consideration how much sun your backyard receives. This is also very important when considering potential plants in the overall design of your backyard.
Your audience is a very important detail to assess when planning your backyard. If you have children, do you want to set aside space for them? Do you need to prioritize different safety features? Are some plants not safe to include if the children are younger? Are you hoping to host in your yard? If so, a place to cook and eat could be beneficial. Considering your audience will help narrow down the specific use you want to build your yard for.
Consider Your Preferred Purpose
Once you assess the space itself and the audience you are catering to, consider what function you want your yard to serve. Do you want to host parties? Do you want it to be an oasis for you and your spouse? Do you want it to be dedicated to your kids and their passions?
Choose the Plants That Will Work For You
After determining what zone you live in, look at what plants would both thrive and serve you well. If you want natural shade, invest in a tree. If you want fresh herbs and vegetables, build a gardening space. But also consider any recurring investments. If you have your heart set on an annual plant, remember you will need to buy and replant every year, whereas if you invest in perennial plants, they will last longer than a year and will give you a larger return on the money you spend.
There are endless opportunities when creating the backyard that you want, but it can be beneficial to plan before diving right into the project. Your budget is a great place to start, but how you plan is completely up to you.
