5 Tips for Designing Your Dream Landscape

Creating the landscape of your dreams in Northern Kentucky is more than just adding a few plants and hoping for the best. It's about:

• thoughtful planning,
• understanding the Northern Kentucky environment,
• and making choices that enhance the beauty while adding enjoyment.

Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to revamp your current outdoor space, these five tips will guide you through designing a landscape that's both beautiful and functional.

1. Understand Your Yard's Ecosystem

Before you plant a single seed, it's crucial to understand the ecosystem of your the Northern Kentucky yard. This means taking into account the type of soil, the patterns of sunlight and shade, and the average rainfall our area receives. These factors will significantly influence what types of plants will thrive in your space. Additionally, consider the topography of your land; areas with slopes may need special attention to prevent erosion and manage water flow.

Northern Kentucky Topography:
The topography of the Northern Kentucky landscape is hilly, most residences and businesses will deal with some level of slope in their yard creating a dynamic need to combat water run off and soil erosion.
Rainfall:
The city of Covington gets roughly 45 inches of rain each year. Anyone like us who is from here knows that sometimes, we can get considerable amounts, 1-4 inches or rain in one storm. Having a landscape that not only survives a deluge of rain, but is created so that the water either is safely absorbed by plants, or runs off the property without the soil.

Soil Construction:
The Soil in our Tri-state area of Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana is created from erosion of the Ohio River. We have roughly 4-8 inches of topsoil before we meet a clay base formed bc our area was once at the bottom of a shallow sea millions of years ago. Sedimentary rock exists not far below the clay base; that is why you see so many retaining walls in Northern Kentucky made from sedimentary rock with seashell fossils in them.

2. Define Your Landscape Needs and Wants

Make a list of needs and wants for your landscape. Do you need a play area for kids, or a vegetable garden for your culinary adventures? Would you like a patio for entertaining guests, or a pond to add tranquility to your space? Sketching a rough layout can help you visualize how these elements can integrate harmoniously into your landscape design.

3. Create and Stick to a Theme

A coherent landscape theme can tie your landscape together. This doesn't mean everything has to be uniform, but a consistent style or theme can bring harmony to the diversity of plants and structures in your yard. Whether you're drawn to a Japanese Zen garden, a Mediterranean oasis, or a rustic English cottage garden, let your chosen theme guide your selections of plants, materials, and decor.

4. Choose the Right Plants

Selecting the right plants for your landscape is about more than just aesthetics. Consider the growth habit and mature size of plants to ensure they fit well in their designated spots without overcrowding. Use a mix of perennial plants for year-round greenery and annuals for seasonal color bursts. Remember to plant in zones based on water needs to conserve water and ensure plant health.

5. Focus on Sustainability

Designing your dream landscape also means making it sustainable for the environment. Opt for native plants, which are adapted to your local climate and often require less water and maintenance. Incorporate rain gardens or permeable pavers to manage stormwater runoff and reduce erosion. Also, consider installing a drip irrigation system to minimize water waste and ensure plants get the moisture they need efficiently.

Bonus Tip: Think About the Future

Plants grow and landscapes change. When designing your dream landscape, consider how the elements will interact and evolve over time. Space plants according to their mature sizes, and think about how changing shades and growth patterns will affect the overall design. Future-proofing your landscape means less work and more enjoyment as it matures.

Designing your dream landscape is a journey of understanding your space, defining your desires, and making thoughtful choices that benefit both the environment and your lifestyle.

The professional landscapers at Decor Smart have decades of experience creating designer landscapes in Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio. Call us today to discuss the landscape at your home or business.

(859) 586-4784