Home landscaping is a highly personal subject.  Some like a perfectly manicured lawn with every shrub and flower carefully placed.  Others prefer a backyard habitat-like area with tangled vines, meandering paths, and hidden garden rooms.  Designing the home landscape is a daunting proposition, both in new homes that have to be done from scratch, and in older homes where the previous owner may have put in shrubs and other plant material that has grown too big or has not been maintained properly.

There are basically two areas to consider when contemplating making changes to the landscape.  The front yard and the back yard are two completely different animals.  The front yard is the part of the house that is seen by the public.  We have all fallen in love with houses that are beautifully landscaped and have heard horror stories about houses with poor landscape plans that sit on the market for years.  Front yard landscaping plays a critical role in the value of the house overall, and as such, care should be taken to make it inviting, but without too much maintenance or fuss.  The back yard is a completely different story, however.  This is where you can let your imagination fly, putting in whatever features you like personally.  It is your own private retreat, and should be a fun, relaxing place for friends and family.  

To this end, this section will cover the basics of sound landscaping ideas and some pictures and ideas to help you get started on your way to that perfect home setting.  I will be adding to this page daily, so please Bookmark this site and return often for garden and landscaping ideas.  Meanwhile, check out the links below or go to the Home Page for Links to other important aspects of home gardening.

Related Links

Top 5 Front Yard Improvements

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Herbs Index Page

Companion Planting

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Free Landscape & Plant Pictures

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