Natural Landscaping: Go With the Grain
People have a history of battling nature in ways that simply don’t make sense. We use weed killer in our driveway and fertilizer in the yard. We cut down blooming wild flowers, and then plant marigolds. We even claim that we are nature lovers, and then try to make our natural surroundings change to reflect our personality. However, the best outdoor decorations aren’t the ones where we create great change, but where we enhance what is already there.
Take a look at the surroundings of your property. Are there trees and grass surrounding your house? Then a wooden picnic table would be much more suited for the backyard than a wrought iron or plastic one. With a plethora of stains and sealants on the market, wood lasts just as long as anything synthetic and compliments the natural beauty already in place.
Every yard has a natural flow to it. Position flower beds in such a way to accentuate that physical phenomenon. If your yard is perfectly flat and symmetrical, use bricks to design square, linear flowerbeds around the frame of your house. If your yard has hills and downswings, a looser and flowing flower bed set apart by river rocks or colored mulch will enhance and soften the appearance of the ebbs in the land.
For water wells or drainage pipes that stick out but don’t need to be constantly accessed, many garden shops sell wooden miniature wells that look great on the property and cover up unsightly PVC piping. Avoid fake rocks. They are usually made of cheap plastic and look like it. Remember, you want your yard to celebrate nature, not destroy it.
The best lawn decor you can add are things that enhance the existing flora, and show the beauty of your lawn in all its fullness.
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July 30th, 2007 at 8:11 pm
Great idea! Anything that prevents more poisons from going into the ground and helps the local eco system is all right by me!
July 31st, 2007 at 2:49 pm
Hi hannah,
I share your view on this one!!nice article.
-Mansi
http://funnfud.blogspot.com
August 10th, 2007 at 11:55 am
This is great advice. We have a very natural but park-like front and back yard… and how you describe using a looser and flowing flower beds and river rocks is exactly what I envisioned for our place. Thanks for the great post.
November 7th, 2007 at 9:00 pm
Unique Custom Design Resources…
I couldn’t understand some parts of this article, but it sounds interesting…
January 8th, 2008 at 11:06 am
Yep - I think you are right on again..
March 23rd, 2008 at 7:42 pm
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