How can we landscape our yard inexpensively yet look like a pro?

We are getting ready to move into a newly built home. To help save on costs we are planning to landscape the front yard ourselves. I do love perennials and we live zone 4(if that helps). Also sod will be installed prior to moving in. What tips do you have to help establish a beautiful front yard on a tight budget?

I am including a picture of the front of the house, if that helps. Thanks!
  8 answers
  • 2dogal 2dogal on Jun 14, 2018

    Install trees first - deciduous will shade the house in the summer and let in the winter warmth. Figure out how the sun traverses your house, then plant them. Use flowering shrubs. You need to know how much sun and shade your house will get in order to plant the correct type of flowering shrub. Your house is very linear, so I would make the gardens have a curve to them.

  • Nan W. Nan W. on Jun 14, 2018

    my go to for color/ease: caladiums! (plant bulbs for extra savings!)

    • Pat Riew Pat Riew on Jun 15, 2018

      Find an established neighborhood nearby with a similar house and ask if you can photograph the front. There is a lot you can learn, from the placement of the shrubs, color combinations, sizes of the shrubs, and addition of annuals to fill in gaps while the larger shrubs grow to maturity. You dont have to put the garden in all at once, but you do need a plan. Soil quality is paramount, so enrich the soil around the house first. Believe the tag and try to choose perennials that wont be aggresive or giant 10 years from now. Avoid a line of plants, think triangles. Like the other commentor, think trees first. Deciduous on the south side, evergreens on the north. Go slowly! When I did my garden, I shopped clearance for several years and divided my perennials as they grew large. Now I am simplifying as I get older and have help with some chores Best of luck!

  • Happy Days Hometalker Happy Days Hometalker on Jun 27, 2018

    Put pen to paper and plan out a loose design, go slow, do a little each month, plants grow fast.

  • Bbunny42 Bbunny42 on Jun 27, 2018

    Also buy a good gardening book for your area to help you figure out what to put where -- don't put a 6' hedge under windows that are 3' off the ground; use a short hedge or shrub. The book will give you info on sun/shade requirements, water, height and width, etc. You obviously wouldn't want to plant anything requiring a daily watering in with low-water plants. I have one for Texas and I find it not only informative, but just plain interesting to read. Good luck and enjoy your new house; it's really pretty.

  • Dot Cofer Dot Cofer on Dec 10, 2021

    I recently retired from the University of Georgia Extension Service. I recommend you contact them for ideas for your lawn. Almost every county in the nation has an office for its citizens. Some county agents are experienced with actual helping you plan. If not, they will have a specialist come down from the main office to help you. Also, get the free materials on shrubs, flowers and lawns for reference. Then ask when there will be area live programs put on for those interested in landscaping.

    Your local Extension Service is really the first contact when thinking landscaping. Second choice would be a home decorating/landscape sevice who can help lay out your yard. Of course, they wish to sell so you will need control of the expenses and not overspend your budget.

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Dec 19, 2021

    I really like the idea of contacting your County Extension service, they have the master gardeners and can come up with some pretty impressive plans on what will do well on your property. Also taking a look around your neighborhood may also inspire you.