Dreams of backyard bliss don’t have to turn into nightmarish weekends of hard labor if your space is thoughtfully planned and properly maintained. Choosing the right materials, plantings, tools and techniques will help reduce your yard work and maximize relaxation time. Steven Johnson, President of S. Johnson Landscape Management, shares his knowledge and expertise gained from 20 years of creating and maintaining beautiful landscapes for homes across New Jersey. Read on for his helpful advice on creating your own backyard paradise.
Plan Ahead
The first step you should take in creating an effortless escape is to identify the purpose of your space and properly plan for it. Factors to consider include size and space for hardscape and lawn, layout of seating areas and placement of focal points like the grill, a fire pit, seating walls and planters. There is no right or wrong way for your outdoor space to look. “When it comes to backyards, many work well as one cohesive outdoor escape, while others may lend themselves to being broken out into different outdoor ‘rooms’ or spaces,” Johnson explains. Make sure to consider the existing terrain of the land, along with drainage and the impact of trees, plantings and hedges on the lawn. Proper planning upfront allows you to get the most benefit out of your backyard down the road. [bibblio style=”bib–default bib–hover bib–white-label bib–row-2 bib–title-only bib–size-16 bib–font-arial” query_string_params=”e30=” recommendation_type=”optimised”]
Focus on the Patio
Your patio is the transition from indoor space to the outside. Johnson notes that concrete pavers are one of the most versatile patio surfaces due to the endless color, textures, sizes and styles available. “Given all the choices, there is a concrete paver that can fit within just about any type of landscape setting,” says Johnson. Other popular patio choices include bluestone or flagstone, clay brick pavers and even outdoor tile. Stone options have great durability and can withstand a good degree of weathering. According to Johnson, periodic cleaning, proper maintenance and avoiding harsh chemicals are key to keeping your patio looking its best.
Use Water Wisely
Lawn care is synonymous with maintenance. Johnson recommends giving it an inch of water per week, only watering occasionally and not mowing off too much at once. Shrubs such as boxwood, false spirea, butterfly bush, junipers and bayberry don’t require much watering, however keep in mind that plants require at least some water, especially when newly planted. “Ignoring a plant entirely or depending on rainfall to ensure watering means that you will wind up with struggling and unhappy plants,” Johnson explains.
Create a Natural Environment
Less maintenance doesn’t necessarily mean compromising on the look and feel of your outdoor space. For an orderly and elegant look, choose plants with a tight compact habit such as boxwood or yew shrubs, Japanese holly, or arborvitae. Arrange plantings in straight lines or ordered groupings for a more formal appearance.
A woodsy natural escape isn’t out of reach, even in the suburbs. Dogwood trees, azalea, viburnum, oakleaf hydrangea, cypress or cedar trees, ferns, hosta or any native plant will give your yard a woodsy feel. “To really replicate a natural setting, you want to have a good combination of canopy trees and shade, understory plantings and low, or floor level, plantings,” advises Johnson.
Keep it Simple
Having the right tools to maintain your backyard doesn’t require an expensive trip to a home improvement store. Johnson suggests soaker hoses or watering timers for easy plant watering and a slow release fertilizer for less frequent and more consistent feeding. Don’t waste your money on fancy gadgets. “My favorite tool is just a good pair of pruners for occasional pruning; shears make for faster work but can result in a sheared or ‘meatballed’ look on plants,” says Johnson. He stresses that giving plants enough room to grow to their natural shape and size, along with occasional selective pruning, is all that is needed to keep them looking their best.
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S. Johnson Landscape Management
S. Johnson Landscape Management
S. Johnson Landscape Management
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