How to Landscape a Large Yard

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Plan the project.

   This is the key to having success and being satisfied with the outcome of your landscaping adventure.
   
   You cannot just decide for landscaping if you do not plan for other important things that you need to do for your outdoor space.
   
   Divide your space accordingly and set just enough area for landscaping.
   
   Plan for enough space.
   
   Consider things such as the playground for your kids or for your pets, your vegetable garden, your garage and other outdoor space ideas needed.
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   Step 2: Draw a diagram of the entire area

   Include the lawn and at least roughly show the location of large trees, permanent structures, and other existing elements which need to be incorporated in your plan. , Use these to show the slope of the land, noting conditions such as wetland sites, rocky areas, and anything else which will require special attention. , Low places and wetlands are not suitable for growing most common lawn grasses, and rocky bare hill-tops do not support grass growth well, either, so another type of landscaping may be more suitable for these areas.
   
   Areas under deep shade, such as beneath a large, broad hardwood tree might be better suited for some patio stones and a bench or swing, and very steep hills can be covered with vines or small shrubs instead of something requiring mowing or other maintenance. , Here in the south, we have pecan trees, blueberries, and grapevines which are often used in landscaping and provide a food source for wildlife, as well as ingredients for favorite recipes.
   
   Choose the right plants.
   
   It is better and smarter to choose native plants.
   
   Although it can also be tempting to go for plants that are uncommon in your place, it is still best to opt for native plants as these kinds of plants are already familiar with the natural habitat you have in your property.
   
   It will be easier for you to grow them.
   
   You can actually put other variety of plants, but make sure that you do not overcrowd your yard space with imported plants and always make room for the native ones. , Look for other areas you can "cut"
   
   or take some soil off to spread to these places.
   
   Often in large landscaping projects you will find that you have to "import"
   
   or haul in additional soil to level out the lawn, and it is best to bring this material in before any underground utilities are installed. , This is a math problem, and if the area is irregular in shape, try to imagine it as a square or rectangle, multiplying width X length X depth, to give you a cubic volume of material.
   
   Large volumes are measured either in tons or cubic yards or meters.
   
   If the amount is very large, you will need to hire someone to haul your material in with a dump truck, smaller amounts may be brought in with a pickup truck or utility trailer. , If you have a large amount to move, you may want to rent a small tractor with a front end loader bucket and a grader blade or box blade to do this job for you.
   
   Very large projects may require a bulldozer or other heavy equipment, but this may be too much for the average homeowner to attempt on their own. , After the landscaping is complete is not the time to build a swimming pool or utility shed! ,,, Large landscaping projects can be overwhelming if they are not broken down into a series of smaller projects. , If you use an electric mower, leaf blower, weed eater, or edger, you may want a couple of remote ground fault receptacles to eliminate the need for long extension cords.
   
   You will need to mount these with weatherproof boxes and covers on posts or attached to some type of structure. , Use landscape fabric in planting areas to keep the weeds from becoming a problem, and mulch all these areas to conserve water. , This is often done by dragging a section of fence material behind a lawn tractor or ATV, passing back and forth over the area until it is smooth. ,, These are perfect for outdoor activities such as afternoon teas with friends, evening talks with your spouse and weekend picnics with your kids.
   
   However, experts advise not to add features that you cannot really maintain as this will only make your lawn look dull and old.
   
   Make sure that you can maintain the features in your landscaped lawn.
   
   Clean the benches and chairs regularly as these can get easily damaged especially when they get wet during rainy days.
   
   Adding some features in your lawn can really add more beauty to its overall landscape design. ,
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   Step 3: to scale if possible.

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   Step 4: Draw arrows or topographic lines.

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   Step 5: Use the information you have gathered to look at the way you want to use the spaces in your large yard area.

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   Step 6: Check the local nursery or home center and find out if there are fruit or nut trees

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   Step 7: or berry producing shrubs and bushes that do well in your area.

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   Step 8: Measure any areas where you will need to add fill material to grade and smooth the existing site.

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   Step 9: Calculate how much fill you will need to import.

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    Step 10: Spread the new fill material and level all areas of the yard.

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    Step 11: Mark off any flower beds

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    Step 12: tree plantings

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    Step 13: or other features you are putting in your landscape

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    Step 14: and also consider any permanent structures you may want to add now or later.

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    Step 15: Leave some additional soil in areas where you want raised flower beds

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    Step 16: garden areas

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    Step 17: or other features that need it.

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    Step 18: Remove plants

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    Step 19: bushes

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    Step 20: or undesirable trees from the area so that areas to receive grass will get maximum sunlight.

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    Step 21: Plant all the shrubs

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    Step 22: bushes

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    Step 23: and trees that you have planned for each area

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    Step 24: and remember

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    Step 25: it is often easier to start working one area and finish it before moving to the next.

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    Step 26: Lay out and install whatever irrigation piping you have planned

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    Step 27: install conduits for underground electric to power landscape lighting and to operate pumps for fishponds or fountains you are building.

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    Step 28: Work out your flower beds and other permanent landscape features

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    Step 29: such as patios

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    Step 30: permanent barbecue pits

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    Step 31: fountains

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    Step 32: Finish grading the areas to receive grass.

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    Step 33: Install sod or plant your grass seed in the grassed areas

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    Step 34: pray for rain (but not flooding)

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    Step 35: and be prepared to water sufficiently to establish your grass.

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    Step 36: Add other features such benches

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    Step 37: chairs and tables

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    Step 38: swings and shaded tea areas.

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    Step 39: Sit back

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    Step 40: and allow your work to establish itself.

Detailed Guide

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