According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), homeowners use between 30- and 70-percent of their water outdoors. The EPA also points out that up to 50-percent of this outdoor residential water usage is wasted through inefficient irrigation. Knowing this, one way to do cut down on our water usage is to assess our current landscaping and see if there are places where switching to low-water ground cover options makes sense. For example, could you reduce the size of your natural grass lawn by adding a gravel walkway or a flower island? Could you fill bare spots in your yard with a drought-resistant ground cover that thrives in full sun? Could you replace water-loving exotic plants with native plants that have lower water needs?

Let’s take a look at 10 ground covers that love the sun and can survive a drought to get some water-saving inspiration. 

10 Drought-Tolerant Ground Covers for Sun

1. Lantana

This common ground cover is easy to find at garden centers and home improvement stores. It requires very little care, loves the sun, and is drought tolerant once established. There are dozens of varieties from which to choose, and this flowering perennial is available with white, yellow, orange, red, pink, or blue blossoms.

Aside from choosing the right color to harmonize with your other plants, the most important thing to remember when buying lantana is that there are ground cover cultivars and shrub cultivars that can grow to more than six feet in height. So, you need to be sure you are purchasing a variety used for ground cover.

Lantana is great for filling in bare spots and will spread easily to provide a beautiful, colorful ground cover in your yard. It also attracts butterflies and bees, so planting lantana can help other plants in your garden thrive.

This drought-resistant ground cover is incredibly popular in Southern California and Central California, which is more evidence of its ability to thrive in this area.

2. Silver Carpet

Also known as Cerastium, chickweed, and snow in summer, this is another flowering perennial that does well in full sun. This is a popular choice for rock gardens and has small flowers. Silver carpet usually blooms in late spring and early summer, but the silver-gray leaves provide an attractive, low-water ground cover all year. Once established, silver carpet will only require extra irrigation during times of extreme drought or heat.

Silver Carpet is not native to California, but it is native to a similarly hot, dry climate in the coastal plains of South Africa, which is why it can do so well here. Because it is a coastal plant, it also can survive salt spray, which makes it a good choice for folks who live on or near the beach.

This evergreen perennial usually spreads slowly, but you can pick up the pace a bit by providing extra water early on to help it get established and encourage it to spread. Once established, you can back off on irrigation to save water.

3. Spanish Daisy

Growing to about eight inches in height, this flowering, fast-growing perennial is a great choice for use as a ground cover in borders, rock gardens, rock walls, and around pathways. Although it is native to Mexico and Central America, it thrives in Southern California. This one does require a bit more work when it comes to cleaning up your flowerbeds as lower foliage dies off, but for those who love the look of the flowers, it is worth the extra effort.

Spanish daisies are also known as Santa Barbara daisies, Mexican daisies, and Mexican fleabane. It is not a true daisy, but its flowers look like daisies, which is part of the reason for its popularity. It is also well loved for its ability to spread quickly to fill crevices and add color to flowerbeds.

4. Gazania

Gazanias are native to the southern part of the African continent and have proven to be a good choice for use as a drought-tolerant ground cover for sun in Southern California. Sometimes called treasure flowers or African daisies, be careful not to confuse these with true African daisies. True African daisies (Osteospermum) also do well in full sun, but they are annuals, so you will not get the same longevity from them.

Gazanias have larger blooms than most of the other choices on this list and flowers bloom through summer and into fall.

Flowers come in yellow, orange, yellow and orange, white and yellow, white and purple, red and pink. Because they grow in low mounds with large flowers, this is a particularly popular choice for borders and flowerbeds. Your gazania mounds will grow up to about 18 inches tall and wide. You can increase your plantings by propagating through cuttings.

This colorful option can also withstand salt spray, so they can be used in drought-tolerant gardens near or on the beach.

5. Creeping Rosemary

Also known as prostrate rosemary, this fast-growing evergreen does well in full sun and is a beautiful choice for cascading over rock walls or for use in rock gardens. This drought-tolerant ground cover for sun can be used for culinary purposes and usually grows to about six to twelve inches in height.

Creeping rosemary usually flowers during the summer, and the purple flowers usually stay through the beginning of fall. When not in bloom, the foliage provides an attractive, durable ground cover. As an added bonus, creeping rosemary attracts pollinators, which benefits the rest of your garden as well.

Creeping rosemary creates a fragrant ground cover so it also adds this additional dimension to your San Diego landscaping. It does a good job of crowding out weeds and is such a good spreader that it can become invasive. This is not necessarily a bad thing, since we generally do want ground covers to cover a lot of ground, but, if you find that your rosemary is covering too much ground, you can easily prune it to keep it under control.

6. Ice Plant

Low-growing ice plant (aka iceplant) is a low-water ground cover that Californians are accustomed to seeing all along the coast. It is so ubiquitous near our beaches that most of us already know that ice plant is a great choice for seaside homes and can thrive in full sun further inland as well. Depending on the variety you choose, your ice plant may bloom in white, yellow, purple, or pink flowers. It is usually in bloom through summer and fall.

Ice plant is a succulent, so too much water is actually bad for it. It will do well for you in poor soil but not in wet soil, so it is great for dry climates and areas that often experience drought. Since this is a succulent, it is easy to propagate, and you can do so through dividing your plants or by taking cuttings. This will help you more quickly cover a larger area.

7. Cape Weed

This tiny member of the sunflower family is considered a weed in many areas, which is actually good news for folks looking for a fast-growing ground cover that will quickly fill in a large, bare spot in their yard. With small, daisy-like flowers, these perennials are an inexpensive, easy way to cover large areas that receive full sun. Since California is one of the places where it is naturalized and grows like a weed, you know that it can thrive in drought conditions.

It can become invasive and can completely take over a natural grass lawn, so you may need to keep an eye on it. Capeweed is toxic to horses and other livestock, so do not grow it in pastures or near corrals. It does attract pollinators, though, so it can help bring bees and other pollinators into your yard to help out other plants.

8. Artificial Grass

If you want the look of a green, lush ground cover without the water requirements, synthetic turf is a great choice. Because it is a non-living ground cover, it can be used in full sun, partial sun or shade, and even in spots where nothing will grow. This no-water ground cover is easy to maintain, always looks its best and can be used in areas of high traffic. It can also be used as an attractive ground cover in dog runs, under playground equipment, and around swimming pools.

The versatility and longevity of artificial grass makes this a solid investment for folks looking for drought-resistant ground cover options. It looks, feels, and functions like natural grass but does not require the hours or weeding, mowing, aerating, edging, and fertilizing. It also requires very little water, since it needs no irrigation. Really, the only time you will need to use water on it at all is to spray off the dust every once in a while or to rinse down areas your pets use as a restroom.

Because artificial turf is a good choice for a variety of situations. For example, it is perfect for a low-maintenance backyard putting green or sports field, provides a level surface for kids to play on, and is easy to clean with a product like Urine Zero if you use it in a dog run or for a lawn that is shared with your pets. You can also use it for areas where you entertain guests or in high-traffic areas, since it is easy to fluff and can withstand heavy traffic.

9. Wood Chips or Bark

This is another no-water ground cover option that beautifies your yard and can help limit weed growth. You may need to refresh your bark or wood chips every year or every few years (depending on the type you use), since it may fade in the sun or break down into the soil. This drought-friendly ground cover option is a particularly good choice for homeowners looking for an inexpensive, easy-care option that requires very little maintenance.

Wood chips or bark can be used for walkways, around trees, to cover bare earth in flowerbeds, or to cover larger spaces, such as outdoor entertaining areas. Aside from limiting weed growth, it can also reduce mud after rain, help the soil retain moisture, help maintain soil temperature, and add texture and color to your landscape design.

10. Gravel

Gravel is great for walkways, driveways, dog runs, and outdoor living areas. With the wide variety of colors and sizes available, gravel is also an excellent ground cover option for folks looking for something that requires no water.

Gravel helps limit weed growth, retain soil moisture, control erosion, and maintain soil temperature. It is also generally a more affordable option, so this may be a more flexible choice for folks working with a smaller budget.

Saving Water with Drought-Resistant Ground Covers: Next Steps

If the above options inspired you to transition to low-water landscaping and start saving more water inside your home and in your landscaping, here are some next steps you can take to start saving water today:

1. Take the “I’m for Water” pledge on the EPA’s WaterSense website.
2. Use the EPA’s WaterSense monthly resolutions checklist to commit to making small changes to save more water every month.
3. Read 7 Drought-Tolerant Herbs for Southern California Gardens to learn more about drought-resistant plants that bring color and texture to your garden.
4. Read 8 Drought-Tolerant Plants to Line Your Driveway to learn more about low-water border plants you can use in your landscape design.
5. Subscribe to the WaterSense Current to get this newsletter filled with water-saving tips delivered regularly to your inbox.
6. Read 10 Easy Succulents for Your Drought-Tolerant Garden or, if you are not in to succulents, check out 10 Great Plants for Drought that Are not Succulents.
7. If you are considering synthetic turf as an option for a lush, green lawn without the water waste, visit the Artificial Grass Cost Calculator to get a better idea of how much your installation will cost.
8. Learn more about the artificial grass installation process and which type of turf is best for your project.

The post 10 Drought-Tolerant Ground Covers That Can Withstand Full Sun appeared first on INSTALL-IT-DIRECT.

Alternatives to Grass for your Backyard

For some, saving money is a key concern, and grass alternatives that require little or no water, pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides or gas-powered equipment is an appealing way to enjoy significant savings while still having a beautiful yard. For others, mowing, watering, feeding, weeding, edging and aerating a natural lawn is just too time consuming, and the cost of hiring landscape professionals to care for their lawn is just as undesirable.

Other homeowners look into grass alternatives as part of their efforts to lower their home’s impact on the environment, since conventional lawns require more than their fair share of water, and common lawn care products – like chemical-laden herbicides and pesticides – are harmful to the environment and are linked to a variety of health issues.

You can save money and time, limit your family’s exposure to harmful chemicals, decrease your environmental impact and still have a great-looking yard by replacing your lawn or decreasing your lawn space by choosing one of the alternatives listed below.

Low-Maintenance Grass Alternatives: Things to Consider

If you are looking into installing landscaping that does not include natural grass, replacing your current lawn or reducing the size of your lawn, there are a few things to consider to help ensure that you are making the right choice.

One of the most important considerations is determining how you want to use your yard.

• Is your front yard just for looks, or do you want it to serve an additional purpose?
• Do you want your backyard to be a place where your children or pets can play?
• Do you plan on entertaining guests often?
• Do you enjoy grilling and cooking outdoors enough to invest in an outdoor kitchen?
• Are there particular features you would like to include, such as a vegetable garden, children’s playground, dog run or putting green?

How you want to use your yard will have a significant influence on planning your low-maintenance landscaping, so be sure to consider your needs before you begin the design process.

The Cost of Grass Alternatives

Once you have decided how you want to use your yard and what features you would like to include, the next step is considering your budget.

For example, an outdoor kitchen would be an excellent addition to any backyard, but they can become quite pricey quite quickly, particularly when you add in running electricity and a water line to your patio. But if your budget does not allow for a full backyard kitchen, you still might be able to install a built-in barbecue and design a wallet-friendly alternative.

Or, if an in-ground rock fire pit is above your budget, you could still create a cozy place to stargaze or entertain with an affordable, portable fire pit and inexpensive patio furniture.

Lawn Replacement Maintenance Requirements

The next thing on your to-do list for planning your yard is to decide just how low maintenance you want it to be.

Do you want a yard that requires the least amount of maintenance possible?
This might mean designing a yard that is mostly made up of hardscape features and low-maintenance ground covers, such as a large patio and walkways with gravel or bark as a ground cover. This type of design would require very little maintenance with just an occasional sweeping or rinsing off for the patio, and a bit of raking and freshening up on occasion to keep the gravel or bark looking sharp.

Or would you prefer a bit of greenery that requires just a little maintenance?
This option might include drought-resistant plants, artificial turf, or easy-to-care-for trees or shrubs.

If you know that one of your goals is to avoid having a natural grass lawn or to have just a small lawn, the grass alternatives below will help you design a yard that is inviting and fits your needs. I have also included some pros and cons for each idea in order to help you choose the right lawn alternative for your home and family.

Be sure to check local ordinances — or your CC&Rs, if you live in a community with a homeowners association — before removing your lawn and replacing it with alternatives to grass. Some neighborhoods and areas have specific requirements or regulations governing how you can landscape your property.

Low Maintenance Lawn Alternatives

1. Wildflower Meadow

If you are tired of weekly mowing and rising water bills, try replacing your lawn with a wildflower meadow. Seed mixes are easy to come by at your local garden center, and you can have a beautiful, flowering meadow to enjoy instead of a typical grass lawn.

Pros:

• Easy to grow
• Requires less water than grass
• Provides beautiful flowers during blooming seasons
• Good alternative for slopes, rocky areas and uneven terrain

Cons:

• Will need to be reseeded every few years
• Requires weeding to remove wild grasses and weeds
• Not a hardy option for play areas for pets or children
• Not suitable for high-traffic areas and walkways

2. Vegetable Garden

A vegetable garden is a great addition to any backyard and can be an attractive landscaping feature when done right. Install raised planting beds for a tidy, uniform look, and you will have a great family project that lets you grow some of the food you eat.

Pros:

• Saves money by supplying some or most of your family’s produce needs
• Provides a fun activity the whole family can enjoy
• Reduces chemicals in your food if grown without pesticides and herbicides
• Great way to teach kids about how food is grown
• Helps to create functional landscaping

Cons:

• Requires regular watering, which can be accomplished with a drip system
• Requires regular weeding, which can be reduced by using ground covers around plants
• Many plants will need to be replanted for each growing season

3. Herb Garden

An herb garden is an attractive lawn alternative that adds color and texture to your landscaping. Herbs can be planted in borders, raised garden beds or in the ground with meandering pathways that lead through your garden. Aside from colorful blooms and easy care, an herb garden also allows you to grow useful plants that can be used for culinary or medicinal purposes or that can be used in cut flower arrangements.

Pros:

• Adds color and texture
• Versatile planting and design options
• Adds plants for culinary or medicinal purposes
• Most herbs are low maintenance
• Most herbs are easy to grow with children

Cons:

• Some herbs can be toxic or skin irritants for pets or children, so choose plants that are right for your situation
• Some herbs require extra water during times of drought
• Requires regular weeding, which can be reduced by using ground covers around plants
• Some herbs require pruning or deadheading to maintain appearance and health of plant

4. Moss

If you have a shady yard, or a shady area in your yard, moss can be a great, low-maintenance alternative to grass. This low-growing ground cover comes in many varieties, which allows you to choose between a smoother texture or options that look more like grass.

Pros:

• Low-maintenance ground cover that thrives in shade
• Attractive appearance

Cons:

• Most varieties cannot stand up to traffic or playing
• Requires regular watering in drier climates

5. Gravel

Gravel is an economical, simple alternative that can be used anywhere you need a ground cover. Your local garden center or rock yard will have a variety to choose from, giving you some choice in the size and color of gravel you use in your yard.

Pros:

• Essentially no maintenance, unless leaves need to be raked away
• Inhibits weed growth
• Inexpensive
• Requires no water
• Can enhance drainage
• Provides an easy-to-clean surface for dog runs and pet areas
• Inexpensive option for walkways and driveways

Cons:

• Not a good choice for children’s play areas
• Requires additional landscaping features to add color and texture to your yard
• Can pose a choking hazard for small children
• Can be tracked indoors in the tread of shoes

6. Wood Chips or Bark

Using wood chips or bark is a great way to cover ground with a low-maintenance material that is attractive and easy to care for. This affordable option is available at garden and home centers, and can easily be used as a lawn alternative. You may also be able to find free or low-cost wood chips in your area by contacting local tree trimming and removal services or through local programs. For example, San Diego residents can purchase natural wood chips for $24 per cubic yard at Miramar Greenery.

Pros:

• Attractive appearance
• Inexpensive
• Inhibits weed growth
• Requires no water
• Minimal maintenance (raking leaves, refreshing with new wood chips or bark periodically)
• Great for use around plants

Cons:

• Loses color and breaks down over time
• Can pose a choking hazard for small children
• Smaller pieces can be tracked indoors on shoes or paws
• Dyed wood chips and bark should not be used around food plants
• May attract ants, fleas or termites

7. Mulch

Mulch is a low-cost, low-maintenance, attractive alternative to grass that adds color to your yard, limits weed growth and helps to control erosion. You may be able to find free or low-cost mulch through local programs or from tree trimmers in your area. For example, San Diego residents can obtain up to two cubic yards of mulch for free at Miramar Greenery with proof of residency.

Pros:

• Attractive appearance
• Adds color to your landscaping
• Inexpensive
• Great for high-traffic areas
• Can be used in play areas and under play structures
• Inhibits weed growth
• Helps to control erosion
• Requires no water
• Minimal maintenance (raking leaves, refreshing mulch periodically)
• Breaks down over time to add nutrients to soil
• Great for use around plants

Cons:

• Breaks down over time and will need to be replenished
• Can pose a choking hazard for small children
• May be tracked indoors on shoes and paws
• May attract ants, fleas or termites

8. Rubber Mulch

Rubber mulch made from recycled tires is available in a variety of colors and is an easy lawn alternative that can last many years with minimal maintenance. Shredded rubber mulch looks like organic mulch and functions in much the same way to limit weed growth and control erosion as a colorful ground cover.

Pros:

• Attractive appearance similar to organic mulches
• Inhibits weed growth
• Requires no water and minimal maintenance
• Generally does not need replenishing for up to 10 years
• Recycled rubber product that keeps tires out of landfills
• Provides soft ground cover for play areas and under play structures

Cons:

• Does not increase soil health
• Should not be used around plants dues to the potential for leaching zinc into the soil
• Significantly more expensive than organic mulch
• Flammable and has been shown to catch fire easier, burn faster and burn hotter than organic mulch
• Questions remain about the safety of recycled rubber products, which is being looked at by the EPA

9. Artificial Grass

Synthetic turf is an ideal option for anyone who wants the look and feel of a natural grass lawn without the extreme water usage, chemicals and maintenance requirements. This low-maintenance option allows you to enjoy a lush lawn that you can use just as you would use a natural grass lawn, but without the frequent, ongoing water usage and high level of maintenance.

Pros:
Provides a lush, green lawn for your front yard or backyard
Good option for areas where pets and children play
Allows you to use your yard just as you would with a conventional lawn
Requires minimal maintenance (learn more about artificial grass maintenance)
Requires no mowing, aerating, weeding, watering, edging or fertilizing
Durable and long lasting

Cons:
Initial installation costs are higher than some other options
Requires some maintenance and water to keep it clean and free of bacteria in pet restroom areas (Pet Urine Odor Solution)

Find out how much artificial grass will cost for your backyard with our fake turf calculator.

10. Patio

Hardscape features of any type will take up space in your yard to allow you to avoid a grass lawn or limit its size. Patios, in particular, are a good option since they provide a high level of utility and can be used to entertain, relax at the end of the day or cook family meals on your grill or in your outdoor kitchen. This is also a good option for combining with an artificial grass lawn for an overall low-maintenance, functional backyard design that can be enjoyed throughout the year.

Pros:

• Low-maintenance option
• Many attractive designs available if you choose paving stones or stamped concrete
• Provides a good surface for outdoor entertaining, grilling and more
• Could potentially increase the value of your home
• Easy-to-clean surface for pet areas

Cons:
Can result in scraped knees and elbows if used in children’s play areas

Concrete patios can crack over time

Initial installation costs are higher than some other options

11. Wood or Composite Deck

Replacing a natural grass lawn with a wood or composite deck is an ideal way to increase your functional outdoor living space and lower your property’s irrigation needs. This option is particularly well suited for families who enjoy spending a lot of time outdoors or who entertain regularly.

Pros:

• Low-maintenance option
• Many attractive designs available
• Provides space for outdoor living and entertaining
• Could potentially increase the value of your home
• Composite decks last for many years with minimal upkeep

Cons:

• Wood decks require regular maintenance, including painting or staining and sealing
• Initial installation costs are higher than some other grass alternatives

12. Gazebo

Adding a gazebo to your backyard is a great way to reduce lawn size and can also be included in an overall plan for a no-lawn backyard when used with ground covers, patios and flowerbeds. This attractive addition also provides a space for reading, relaxing, meditation or entertaining.

Pros:

• Provides space for outdoor activities
• Attractive backyard feature
• Increases shade in outdoor living areas

Cons:

• Initial installation cost is higher than some other options
• Requires some maintenance, such as periodic painting or staining

13. Playground

If your natural grass lawn is functioning primarily as a play area, but you would like to remove it to save water and reduce the time you spend caring for your yard, installing a playground might be your best option. Once you remove your lawn and choose the play structures to install, you can use mulch or artificial grass as a ground cover beneath the play equipment.

Pros:

• Creates a fun, inviting space for your children and their guests
• Designates an area for play, leaving other areas for different purposes
• If using artificial grass or similar ground cover, can be used all year and right after rain (unlike natural grass)

Cons:

• Children will outgrow installed play structures
• Limits use of area
• Play structures can be expensive to purchase and have installed
• May require maintenance, depending on the ground cover and play structures you choose

14. Fire Pit

Adding a fire pit with a seating area is a great way to use space in your yard while adding an attractive, useful landscaping feature. A simple rock or paving stone fire pit can be surrounded by gravel, or a patio made from concrete or pavers, to provide a wonderful spot for entertaining guests or roasting marshmallows with your kids.

Pros:

• Low-maintenance option
• Provides space for entertaining and family activities
• Could potentially increase the value of your home

Cons:

• Depending on design and materials, installation costs may be higher than other options

15. Island Flowerbed

Island flowerbeds are good choices for people who either want to reduce their lawn size or replace their grass completely. For reducing lawn size, this type of flowerbed allows you to remove as much or as little as you want of your natural grass lawn. That area can then be planted with low-water, low-maintenance plants that add texture and color to your yard. To replace your lawn completely, you can pair and island flowerbed with another of the options on this list, such as artificial grass, mulch or gravel.

Pros:

• Adds color and texture to yard with or without lawn
• Increases curb appeal

Cons:

• May require regular watering and maintenance, depending on plant choice
• Limits use of area, which can no longer be used in the same manner as a lawn

16. Rock garden

Rock gardens can be small areas with strategically placed boulders and rocks, or they can be the basis of your entire landscape design. By using a variety of rocks and gravels in various sizes, textures and colors, you can create a beautiful, inviting outdoor living area that requires little to no water or maintenance.

Pros:

• May be able to source rocks locally
• Can enhance curb appeal with proper design and installation
• Requires little to no water, depending on inclusion of plants
• Low-maintenance landscaping option
• Can be installed anywhere regardless of heat or freezing temperatures

Cons:

• Can have stark appearance if succulents or other plants are not included
• Small rocks can pose a choking hazard for children

17. Xeriscape/Succulent Garden

If you are replacing your lawn to save money on your water bill and lower your home’s environmental impact, then you really cannot go wrong with xeriscaping. This type of low-water landscaping is popular in Southern California and can be seen throughout the Southwestern United States. The basic principle is to use drought-tolerant native plants and succulents to create a low-maintenance, low-water alternative to natural grass lawns and other water-wasting landscaping options.

Pros:

• Requires very little water
• Very low-maintenance grass alternatives
• Can be combined with a rock garden for added visual interest

Cons:

• Can be time-consuming and costly to initially install and maintain
• Requires some water and care while plants become established

18. Fruit Trees

Replacing your natural grass lawn with a family orchard transforms your lawn area into a functional, food-producing space you can enjoy with your family for years to come. To limit weed growth and make it as low-maintenance as possible, install a drip system and cover the bare earth between trees with mulch, gravel, wood chips or bark.

Pros:

• Adds shade to your yard
• Can lower cost of heating and cooling your home, depending on tree placement
• Adds food-producing trees to your property
• Can increase the perceived value of your home when selling

Enhances privacy of outdoor living areas, depending on tree placement

Cons:

• May block views as trees grow
• Requires regular watering, which can be accomplished with a drip system
• Requires some regular maintenance, such as fertilizing and pruning

19. Lantana

Lantana is incredibly easy to grow in Southern California, is drought-tolerant once established and grows quickly. Make sure you choose a variety that is used for ground cover, because some can grow into sizable shrubs. Plants can be found with white, red, pink, blue, orange or yellow blooms, so you are sure to be able to find one that suits your needs.

Pros:

• Non-invasive, perennial ground cover option
• Adds additional color during blooming seasons
• Deer resistant
• Low-maintenance, living ground cover
• Once it fills in, it will completely cover the ground and limit weed growth

Cons:

• Not appropriate for high-traffic areas
• Requires some maintenance to keep it within the borders as this is a good grower (but not a thug)
• Spiders like to spin webs between the stems (this can be a pro or a con depending on how you feel about spiders)

20. Clover

Clover is a great choice for people who want the look of a natural grass lawn, don’t mind a bit of mowing and are not concerned about a lot of traffic. This pretty ground cover requires little water and stays green all summer without the need for chemical fertilizers. It is an inexpensive option that looks great and can stand up to some traffic.

Pros:

• Lush, green look
• Requires little water and minimal mowing
• Inexpensive option
• Unlike natural grass, can withstand dog urine without brown spots

Cons:

• Requires some mowing
• Not a good option for high traffic areas
• Active pets may damage it more easily than a conventional lawn

21. Creeping Ivy

Creeping ivy is a vigorous grower that will be more than happy to cover your entire lawn area for you. This easy-to-grow option will take root almost anywhere and can even be grown from cuttings or divisions acquired at no cost from a friend or neighbor. While it is beautiful to look at, it can be a bit monochromatic if not paired with other plants.

Pros:

• Easy to grow
• Requires little water once established
• Can thrive in poor soils and poor conditions
• Provides shelter for small wildlife (this can be a pro or a con)

Cons:

• Can be invasive
• Requires regular maintenance to tame it and keep it from taking over your yard
• Can be monochromatic when used in large areas without other plants
• Can slow or stop the growth of other plants
• Provides shelter for small wildlife, such as rodents and snakes (this can be a pro or a con)

22. Creeping Thyme

Creeping thymes are low-maintenance ground cover plants that can even be harvested for culinary or medicinal purposes, depending on the variety you choose. It can be used in light traffic areas or around stepping stones, which allows its fragrance and tiny flowers to add character to walkways. Be sure you choose a variety of thyme that is appropriate for the size of the area you need to cover, since there are both slow- and fast-growing varieties. If you plan to harvest it for culinary or medicinal purposes, it is best to use this lawn alternative away from areas that are used for parking, walking or pet restroom areas.

Pros:

• Drought tolerant once established
• Adds both color and fragrance to your landscaping
• Low-maintenance ground cover that requires no mowing or fertilizing
• Can tolerate light traffic

Cons:

• Can be a slow grower so requires patience to fill in large areas
• Requires regular weeding until filled in
• Not good for high-traffic areas

23. Oregano

Oregano is another herb ground cover option that can be used to replace a natural grass lawn. This attractive choice brings a delightful fragrance to your yard and can handle light-to-moderate foot traffic, depending on the variety you choose. Creeping oregano is a fast grower that only gets about three inches tall, which makes it among the best choices of oregano varieties to use as living ground covers. Remember, if you plan on using your oregano for culinary or medicinal purposes, it is best to use it to replace lawns that are not near areas used for parking, walking or pet restrooms. Alternatively, you can always plant a separate crop in a container or in your herb garden for household use.

Pros:

• Beautiful, fragrant, fast-growing ground cover
• Some varieties can withstand moderate traffic
• Can be harvested for culinary or medicinal purposes
• Limits weed growth once established
• Natural pest repellent for mosquitoes and a variety of other insects
• Can be mowed or left to grow naturally
• Flowering perennial

Cons:

• Mowing every other week is necessary for those who want to maintain a well-groomed look
• Not a good choice for high-traffic areas

24. Prostrate Rosemary

Prostrate rosemary (also called creeping rosemary and trailing rosemary) is an attractive, drought-tolerant option that is ideal for use on slopes and hillsides, particularly if you have a paving stone retaining wall that it can spill over. This type of rosemary has a good root system for controlling erosion and is perfect for replacing a natural grass lawn in a low-traffic area, like a hillside. While it can withstand traffic, it is too bushy to walk on, so this is best used in areas where it can show off its white or bluish-lavender blooms and give off its lovely fragrance without encumbering walking paths. This also keeps it away from children, pets and parking areas if you intend to harvest it for household use.

Pros:

• Adds beautiful color and welcoming fragrance
• Drought-tolerant lawn alternative
• Helps to limit weed growth and control erosion
• Can be planted on hillsides
• Low-maintenance grass replacement
• Attracts pollinators
• Repels mosquitoes

Cons:

• Not easy enough to walk on for use in high-traffic areas
• May not be a good choice near play areas, since it attracts bees when blooming

25. Rosemary Hedges

If you have narrow strips of natural grass bordering walkways, you can replace the grass with rosemary hedges. This will enhance the visual appeal of your yard, add lovely color and fragrance, and allow you to enjoy drought-tolerant greenery along your garden paths. You can also replace a larger lawn area with a maze or labyrinth made from rosemary hedges. This whimsical addition will give your yard an old-world touch and take up plenty of space with an attractive, low-water, living grass lawn alternative.

Pros:

• Adds beautiful color and welcoming fragrance
• Drought-tolerant lawn alternative
• Helps to limit weed growth and control erosion
• Low-maintenance grass replacement
• Attracts pollinators
• Repels mosquitoes
• Can be harvested for culinary or medicinal purposes

Cons:

• Requires regular pruning and shaping if you want a clean look
• May not be a good choice near play areas, since it attracts bees when blooming

26. Low-Growing Shrubs

Low-growing shrubs, such as dwarf myrtle, can be drought-tolerant lawn alternatives that can be left to grow wild, or trimmed for a ground cover that is about one foot in height. Dwarf myrtle does fine in full sun and requires little water once established. It will also crowd out weeds once it fills in and has tiny, white blooms beginning in spring and lasting through summer. Low-growing shrubs are good for erosion control, so they can also be used as a lawn alternative on a slope.

Pros:

• Can be trimmed or allowed to grow naturally
• Low-maintenance grass alternatives when left to grow naturally
• Drought-tolerant
• Enhances erosion control
• Limits weed growth

Cons:

• Not appropriate for traffic areas
• Limits the use of the area
• Will need to include walkways if you need to traverse the area

27. Silver Ponyfoot

The silvery-green foliage of this drought-tolerant ground cover can seriously enhance the visual appeal of your lawn area. Fast growing and low to the ground, silver ponyfoot can thrive in part shade or full sun, which makes it a versatile option for Southern California gardens. It can be grown around stepping stones in a walkway or allowed to spread to fill in an entire lawn area. This one is not a thug, so you can also intersperse it with other low-water ground covers to replace grass.

Pros:

• Drought tolerant once established
• Limits weed growth
• Can be grown with other low-water ground covers
• Spreads quickly

Cons:

• Not good for traffic areas
• Not good for play areas

28. Moneywort (Creeping Jenny)

Moneywort is an invasive thug, which means that it will spread quickly and overtake pretty much anything in its path. Invasive thugs are usually not wanted in gardens, but it does make them a good choice for folks who have a large lawn area to replace. With proper edging and regular efforts to control the spread, moneywort can be an attractive grass alternative that will even grow in shade. Just keep in mind that this thug really will creep, so be aware of this before you plant it.

Pros:

• Spreads quickly
• Can withstand light traffic when used around stepping stones
• Low-maintenance lawn alternative (except for controlling the spread)

Cons:

• Requires regular irrigation
• Must be controlled with edging and regular cutting back or pulling
• Invasive thug plant

29. Creeping Charlie

Like Creeping Jenny, Creeping Charlie is an invasive, fast-spreading ground cover. However, unlike Creeping Jenny, Charlie is not a thug. So, while it will take over your lawn area and every flowerbed and border in sight, it actually can be used among other plants without killing them. Generally considered a weed, Creeping Charlie has soft, attractive leaves and is often grown as a salad ingredient when not being used as a ground cover.

Pros:

• Spreads quickly
• Creates a matted ground cover
• Can withstand light foot traffic
• Can be used around stepping stones
• Can be used to quickly replace an entire lawn

Cons:

• Invasive plant generally considered a weed
• Requires regular maintenance to control spreading behavior

30. Mint

Most gardeners know that all varieties of mint are best planted in containers so that they do not take over the entire garden. However, this invasive quality is precisely what makes mint such a great lawn substitute. If you want an attractive, fragrant, grass-free lawn, mint might be the right choice for you. As an added bonus, you can harvest it for making tea, cooking or medicinal purposes. If you do plan to harvest it, be sure to only take cuttings that are not close to parking areas, pet restroom areas or walking paths.

Pros:

• Fast growing and spreads quickly
• Low-maintenance requirements (except for controlling spread)
• Adds great color and fragrance to yard
• Tolerates some traffic, which releases aroma

Cons:

• Invasive, aggressive grower
• Requires some maintenance to control spread
• Requires regular irrigation

31. Chamomile

Some chamomile varieties can be used as lawn alternatives, such as English chamomile and Roman chamomile. While this grass replacement is fairly time consuming in the beginning, it becomes an attractive, low-maintenance option that can even withstand traffic once it is well established. The small, white flowers on many creeping and low-growing varieties make chamomile lawns particularly appealing.

Pros:

• Low maintenance once well established
• Can be mowed periodically to shear and deadhead
• Attractive, fragrant lawn alternative
• Grows well in sunny areas
• Can withstand traffic once established

Cons:

• Requires a lot of care in the beginning, including watering, weeding, thinning and seeding
• Requires regular watering, particularly in times of drought
• Does not do well in heavy clay soil, which is common in San Diego and surrounding areas
• Cannot walk on a chamomile lawn for at least three to four months after planting

32. Yarrow

Several varieties of yarrow can be used as a dense, traffic-tolerant lawn alternative. Dwarf yarrows are often the best choice for those who want something that looks and acts more like a traditional lawn. Flowering varieties are also a popular choice, since they add more color to your yard. While yarrow is not drought tolerant, it only requires about half of the water needed to keep a natural grass lawn healthy, so it is a water-saving lawn replacement. To create a lawn that can withstand a lot of traffic, mow your yarrow regularly for a denser ground cover.

Pros:

• Requires about half of the water needed for a natural grass lawn
• Attractive, popular grass substitute successfully used in Southern California
• Can withstand traffic

Cons:

• Requires regular irrigation
• May require regular weeding if not mowed regularly

33. Ornamental Grasses

Drought-tolerant ornamental grasses are a good choice for folks who know they need to give up their conventional grass lawn for the sake of the environment, to save money and to save time on yard care tasks but who are not quite ready to completely give up grass. These attractive lawn alternatives require no mowing and little water once established, plus the clumping varieties will grow only where you plant them, so you do not have to worry about invasive spreading. The biggest downside is that most ornamental grasses are only for looks, so this lawn alternative will not work in areas where you actually want to use your lawn. Check out mondo grass for low-growing varieties if you are looking for a shorter grass that will look a bit more like a conventional lawn but without the regular mowing requirements.

Pros:

• Drought tolerant once established
• Clumping varieties are non-invasive
• Low-maintenance landscaping option
• Requires no mowing

Cons:

• Limits use of the area
• Not good for traffic areas

34. Creeping Lilyturf

Lilyturf is an ornamental grass that is a popular lawn substitute but needs to be addressed separately, because its qualities differ from the ornamental grasses mentioned above. Creeping lilyturf, as the name implies, is a creeper, which means it send out runners and will continue to spread if not controlled. While it can withstand a little traffic, lilyturf makes for a pretty lumpy lawn, so it is not ideal for play areas or walkways.

Pros:

• Drought tolerant once established
• Deer resistant
• Can grow in sun or shade
• Limits weed growth
• Spreads quickly

Cons:

• Not good for traffic areas
• Invasive when not controlled

35. California Meadow Sedge

California meadow sedge is one of several sedge varieties that can grow well in Southern California. In terms of living lawn alternatives, sedges are among the fastest growing in popularity and, once you have seen just how conventional-grass-like some of these sedges can be, you will know why. While they do require regular irrigation, sedges require little to no mowing, thrive in a variety of soils, and can withstand foot traffic. For higher-traffic areas, California meadow sedge is a particularly good choice. Plus, this variety can grow well in the clay soils we see throughout San Diego, as well as the sandier soils near the coast.

Pros:

• Sedge lawns are natural grass lawns
• Native sedges require little maintenance once established
• Mowing a few times a year keeps sedges looking more like conventional lawns
• Requires less water than conventional grass if you choose a native variety

Cons:

• Requires regular irrigation
• Requires regular weeding until established as a ground cover

36. Ice Plant

Ice plant is the type of plant folks either love or hate. It can be seen everywhere in coastal California, often taking over a large area, since it can be quite invasive. This invasive tendency can be a problem, but it also makes it an easy-to-grow choice as a grass alternative that will quickly cover your lawn area with greenery and seasonal blooms.

Pros:

• Grows well in coastal California
• Drought-tolerant
• Will easily cover a large area
• Limits weed growth
• Controls erosion
• Forms a thick ground cover

Cons:

• Invasive thug plant that will crowd out native plants
• Not good for traffic areas
• Requires maintenance to cut it back or remove it as it spreads
• California Department of Fish & Wildlife has it listed as an invasive plant to avoid

37. Stonecrop

The terms stonecrop and sedum refer to a large range of succulents that thrive in sunny spots and require little water once established. Creeping varieties are particularly good choices as grass alternatives and can be planted from clippings, which makes this an inexpensive option. This option is just for show and cannot be used in areas with traffic or where children or pets play.

Pros:

• Drought-tolerant ground cover
• Limits weed growth
• Helps to control erosion
• Can be planted almost anywhere that receives sun
• Many varieties have colorful blooms

Cons:

• Cannot withstand foot traffic
• Some varieties have thuggish qualities and will choke out native plants or other stonecrops

Natural Grass Alternatives: Final Thoughts

If you simply must have at least a small patch of natural grass, you can still save money and limit your environmental impact. You can do this by choosing drought-tolerant grasses, such as buffalo grass, zoysia or switchgrass, that require less water and by using a push mower, instead of a lawnmower powered by gas or electricity. Low-maintenance, drought-resistant grasses also require less weeding and fewer chemical lawn care products, making them a better choice than conventional lawns.

You can also limit the space you dedicate to natural grass by including walkways, flowerbeds and plant borders in your landscape design. Limiting your lawn space, or replacing a grass lawn completely, can help you lower your water bill, save time on maintenance and limit the chemical products required to keep your yard looking great.

With the alternatives listed above and a bit of creative landscaping design, you will find that you can have an inviting, visually appealing yard with little or no natural grass. If you’re in the Southern California area and are looking for a grass alternative for your yard, Install It Direct has a solution for you. Schedule a free estimate and consultation today.

The post Alternatives to Grass in Backyard Or Lawn appeared first on INSTALL-IT-DIRECT.

Backyard fences serve some rather important purposes, like keeping your kids and pets in the yard, keeping unwanted guests out of your yard, providing your family with privacy, and clearly showing where your property ends and your neighbors’ properties begin.

Aside from their official functions as yard dividers and property definers, fences are also part of our overall landscape design and help define the style of our yards.

An attractive fence can significantly enhance the visual appeal of your backyard, while an unattractive one can be so distracting that it can seriously take away from even the most beautiful landscape design.

After all, your fence is the backdrop for your landscaping, so it makes sense that your yard can only be as attractive as the fence surrounding it.

A good fence not only enhances the look of your yard, it can also increase the privacy of your outdoor entertaining spaces, hide a neighbor’s ugly or overgrown yard, or provide a foundation for additional landscaping features, such as vertical gardens.

Essentially, your fence is one of the most important components in your backyard and can have a significant impact on just how much you can enjoy spending time there.

If you have an ugly backyard fence, a fence that is in serious disrepair or a fence that does not adequately separate your yard from those of your neighbors, you basically have four options: You can replace your fence, repair your fence, hide your fence or reface your fence.

Option #1: Replace Your Fence —

Replacing an existing fence can be an expensive and complicated endeavor, particularly if you have a large yard or share your fence with your neighbors.

Fencing an average-sized backyard can easily cost thousands of dollars and requires getting intimately familiar with things like permits and posthole diggers.

While you can make installing a fence a DIY project, the labor and skill required to do a good job generally requires calling in professionals.

Additionally, most suburban and urban homeowners have a shared fence that separates their yard from the yards of their neighbors.

If this is your situation, replacing your fence would mean consulting with the neighbors beside and behind your house to try to convince them all to agree on a fence design and to, hopefully, pitch in to pay to replace your shared fence.

If you have the budget to remove your current fence and install a new one, and if you can get the approval of your neighbors to allow you to install an attractive fence with or without their financial input, then replacing your fence may be the easiest way to quickly update the look of your yard and get rid of a fence that may be an eyesore.

Of course, not everyone has thousands of dollars to spend on a new fence or good enough relationships with their neighbors to convince them to approve the installation of a fence of their choosing between their yards.

If that is the case, you may need to opt for an alternative solution that allows you to improve the look of your fence without replacing it.

Option #2: Fix Your Fence —

Unless the fence is in a state of serious disrepair, most somewhat-handy homeowners can fix their own fences without calling in professionals.

It may be the case that you have a wood fence that has simply aged and weathered and just needs a fresh coat of stain or paint.

If so, you can inexpensively refresh the look of your fence in a single weekend.

You may want to consider sanding or pressure washing your fence to remove old paint and any debris prior to painting or staining it.

If you have a wood fence that needs a bit more than a simple paint job, here are five things to look for and repair when fixing your fence:

1. Check for rails that are no longer properly attached to the posts, and make needed repairs.

2. Check the entire fence for rot, which is common with older, wood fences. If you find rot, particularly at joints, you do not necessarily have to replace the fence, but you will need to replace the rotted pieces.

3. Look for broken or splintered boards, rails and posts to repair with wood glue or replace with new ones.

4. Look for leaning, sagging or damaged fence sections that may need reinforcing, repairs or replacement.

5. Look for posts that are leaning or wobbly, and determine whether you can repair them or need to replace them.

If you have a chain link fence in need of repair, you can likely also make that a DIY project, as long as you have the help of a friend or family member.

The most common issues are posts that loosen and become wobbly, bent top rails and sagging chain link mesh.

All of these can be fixed by handy homeowners who have a friend or two around who can help them complete some of the tasks that require two people, such as stretching chain link mesh over posts.

If your fence is in pretty good shape, you can probably fix it without too much trouble or expense.

If your fence is in a state of serious disrepair, it might not be in your budget to make the necessary repairs.

If this is the case, make sure your fence is at least in good enough shape to do the jobs you need it to do, such as keeping your pets inside your yard.

If not, you may consider making some very inexpensive but effective repairs to patch any holes or stabilize leaning sections to keep your fence functional.

Then, you can hide your fence – and those unsightly repairs – with one or more of the ideas below.

Option #3: Hide Your Fence —

Sometimes the best way to fix an ugly fence situation is to simply hide the fence from view.

You can somewhat camouflage a wood or chain link fence by painting it brown or green to better blend in with your landscape design, but this will likely not be enough to take care of a truly unattractive fence or a fence in a state of significant disrepair.

If you need to camouflage an ugly fence by blocking it from view, here are eight ideas you might consider:

1. Plant trees in front of the fence that will grow to at least the height of the fence.

2. Plant plants, bushes or hedges with dense foliage to cover an ugly fence.

3. If your fence is far enough away from the house, you may be able to block the view with a weeping willow or pepper tree strategically planted in your yard.

4. Plant climbing vines that will grow up the fence and camouflage it.

5. Block the view of ugly fence posts with tall potted plants.

6. Hide damaged sections of your fence with attractive fence art or garden art that you create or purchase from your local garden center.

7. Increase the privacy of your outdoor entertaining areas and block the view of your fence by placing privacy screens or a trellis along the edge of your patio.

8. Draw attention away from the fence with attractive features that at least partially block the view, such as water features. Strategically placing other landscaping features to block the view of an ugly fence is a more affordable way to increase the visual appeal of your yard without taking on the costs of replacing your fence.

But if you have a bit more money in your backyard improvement budget, you may want to reface your fence instead, which is generally a more permanent solution that does not require you to take up space in your yard for planting extra trees or hedges.

Option #4: Reface Your Fence —

A fence that is lacking in visual appeal but is structurally sound is the perfect candidate for a bit of fence refacing that can quickly spruce up your yard and make your fence more closely match the style of your landscape design.

This is a great option if you do not have the budget to replace your fence with one more to your liking, have one or more neighbors who are not willing to allow a new fence to be installed, or just want to increase privacy by covering the openings between slats or links.

In most areas, the finished side of the fence has to be facing out to your neighbors or the street, so if you are tired of looking at the backside of your fence and would like a more finished appearance for you and your guests to enjoy when in your backyard, refacing your fence can also take care of this.

If you share a typical wood fence with your neighbors, it is likely that every other section has the finished side of the fence facing you, while the backside of the fence is showing in the sections in between.

This can be just as unattractive, but is fixable by simply refacing your fence.

When you want to update the look of your kitchen but do not want to go through the headaches and expense of a full remodel, you can just reface your cabinets.

The same thing is true for your fence.

Rather than installing a new fence, you can just reface the one you have to make it work better for you.

Here are nine ways you can save time, save money and improve the look of your yard by giving your current fence a bit of a facelift.

1. Change the look of a chain link fence by adding flexible inserts into the links in a color that blends with your landscaping.

2. Cover a chain link or wood fence with sturdy canvas fabric to increase privacy and change the look. You can either paint the fabric, let your kids paint the fabric or leave it as is.

3. Add commercial privacy screening to a wood or chain link fence to block the view of a neighbor’s ugly yard. Fencing companies make screening that is made to be attached to fences.

4. If you have a shared fence with some sections showing the finished side and some showing the backside, add boards to the areas showing the backside to make it a cohesive, finished look all across your fence.

5. You can create a modern or rustic look by attaching metal panels to your fence, which will also increase privacy.

6. A chain link or wood fence can get an instant facelift by attaching rolls of bamboo or reed fencing to the posts. It is best to buy reed or bamboo fencing rolls that are just a little taller than your fence to make sure that it is completely covered. To keep this type of fencing from sagging and looking sloppy, you will want to securely fasten it all along your fence with a staple gun or ties.

7. Attach a trellis to your wood or chain link fence, and plant climbing vines to cover it.

8. If your budget allows, you can float a new fence right in front of the old one. This can be less expensive than installing a new fence, since you can skimp on materials a bit if you attach it to the existing posts, but it is more expensive than other fence improvement options.

9. Install a vertical garden on the fence, or build a vertical garden frame to attach to the fence. One easy way to install a DIY vertical garden – rather than purchasing a pre-made growing wall – is to attach colorful flowerpots to your fence by screwing flowerpot holders onto the fence boards.

Your Turn…

Have you turned an ugly fence into an attractive addition to your backyard? If so, let us know your fence refacing tips and tricks in the comments below.

Photo Credits (in order of appearance): morgueFile.com, krosseel; morgueFile.com, DodgertonSkillhause; morgueFile.com, jade; morgueFile.com, Ricorocks; Angela Davis, Gardening in My Rubber Boots blog; morgueFile.com, MGDboston

The post How to Hide an Ugly Fence Guide appeared first on INSTALL-IT-DIRECT.

That narrow strip of land that connects your front yard to your backyard on each side of your house – better known as a side yard – is usually seen as wasted space that is good for little more than storing your garbage cans for easy access on trash day.

Often just a few feet wide, this part of your property can be a bit more challenging to fit into your overall landscape design, but before you write it off as a waste of space, it is worth taking another look at your side yard to recognize its potential as a great garden space, private patio, outdoor entertaining area or hiding place for a functional backyard feature that you do not want in plain sight.

Read on to get some inspiration for ways you can make better use of your side yard and turn this valuable property into a usable, functional space.

Side Yard Landscaping Tips: Easy Ways to Maximize Your Functional Outdoor Living Space

Here are 18 ways you can easily transform your side yard into a usable space:

1. A Convenient Hiding Place

The easiest and cheapest way to make side yards more usable is to install a fence at each end, and use the space for hiding things you need but do not want to have visible in your front yard or backyard.

One common use is as a hiding place for garbage cans, but you can also use this fenced-off area to store yard maintenance tools, your compost pile, children’s toys or extra patio furniture that only comes out when you plan on entertaining in your backyard.

2. The Perfect Place for Your Garden Shed

There are some very nice backyard shed designs that can easily be incorporated into your overall landscaping, but if you would rather opt for a less expensive option, you can always place your shed in your side yard to keep it out of sight and always have convenient storage close at hand.

If you have a long, narrow side yard, you can also have a shed custom built to fit the space and maximize storage.

This is a great way to free up space in your garage that is currently being used to store gardening tools or long-term storage items that are rarely used.

3. A Dog Run

The ideal dog run provides your furry pal with enough room to run and play, and side yards are often the perfect size for this.

If you already have a fence along the side of your yard and a gate or fence that sections off your side yard, you get the added bonus of spending less money on making a safe enclosure for your dogs.

A side yard dog run works best if you have a window facing the yard so that you can keep an eye on your pets when they are outside.

If you decide to use this section of your yard as a dog run, you might want to consider installing artificial grass in the enclosure.

Opting for synthetic turf allows you to have an attractive, low-maintenance dog run ground cover option that requires very little care and is easy to clean after your pet uses it for restroom activities.

4. A Work Area

Small side yards make great work or hobby spaces.

For example, these long, narrow areas are perfect for potting benches and provide a nice, secluded area where you can garden or partake in other hobbies in peace.

5. A Vegetable Garden

Many side yards do not get much sun, but if yours happens to get at least six to eight hours of sun each day, you can use this space to grow your own fruits, vegetables or herbs.

If you have been considering a vegetable garden but were not sure if you want to change your existing landscape design to include one, using your side yard for this purpose is a great way to grow some of your own food without taking away from the visual appeal of your backyard.

6. A Vertical Garden

Narrow side yards may not have a lot of surface area in which to plant, but they have great potential when it comes to vertical gardens.

A vertical garden installed along the side of your house or your fence is an easy way to increase your planting area and maximize the space in your side yard.

7. A Container Garden

If you are concerned that your side yard might not get enough sun to grow your favorite flowers or vegetables, you could consider planting a container garden.

Colorful containers will bring life to the space and can be moved into the sun to let your plants soak up the rays.

8. A Putting Green

Golfers who would love to get in a little practice without having to head to the country club can perfect their game and impress their friends with an at-home putting green.

Long, narrow side yards are perfect for this and provide a great space for including this fun backyard feature into your landscaping without taking away from your current outdoor living and entertaining spaces.

If you opt for artificial turf for your putting green, you will get the added benefit of never having to mow, water, fertilize or aerate your green to keep it looking its best.

9. A Horseshoe Pit

The reason most homeowners leave their side yards bare and miss out on using this space is because the long, narrow shape makes it seem like an impossible space for doing anything attractive or functional.

But a long, narrow space is exactly what you need for a horseshoe pit.

If you want a regulation-size pit, you will need about 50 feet of space that is at least six feet wide, but it is your yard, so you get to play by your rules, which means a smaller side yard will work just fine to install a playing field that works with the size of your yard.

For an attractive, lower-maintenance horseshoe pit, consider using synthetic grass between the pitching areas.

10. A Bocce Ball Court

Installing a bocce ball court is another family-friendly backyard game option that may work for those with larger side yards.

If your side yard is between 10 and 15 feet wide, you can likely use this space to get in a little lawn bowling after work or when you have friends over on the weekend.

Ideally, you need a length of at least about 60 feet for a good game of bocce ball, which may mean your court will need to stretch along the side of your backyard as well.

Since you can play this game on natural or artificial grass, you will have no trouble blending it in with the rest of your landscaping.

Keep in mind that fake grass will provide a playing field that is level and does not have clumps or holes, which will make for a better game.

11. An Entryway to Your Backyard

Not all side yards are fenced, and some are perfectly placed to provide a walkway from your front yard to your backyard.

Taking advantage of this and designing an attractive pathway along the side of your house makes for an inviting entrance to your backyard and a great way to get guests to your backyard entertaining spaces without the need for them to venture through your house.

A paving stone walkway with colorful flowerbeds on each side is the perfect side yard improvement for homeowners who love entertaining outdoors.

12. A Chicken Coop

If you like the idea of raising backyard chickens, but are not so keen on actually having chickens in your backyard, you might consider building your chicken coop and enclosure in an out-of-the-way side yard.

This way, you can enjoy fresh eggs without worrying about your guests or children stepping in chicken droppings while in your backyard.

13. A Meditation or Yoga Retreat

Your backyard should function as a private retreat where you can relax at the end of the day or spend quality time with loved ones.

But there is an even more secluded area that makes for the perfect private escape where you can steal away to meditate, practice yoga or partake in other relaxing ventures.

If you children are playing in the yard or your partner is singing with the radio while grilling up dinner, you can escape to a well-designed side yard to get some quality alone time.

14. An Additional Patio

Whether you want a private retreat or are okay with bringing along some guests, a small patio area placed in a side yard is a great way to expand your usable outdoor living space.

Depending on the location of your main backyard entertaining area, you may even be able to extend your patio around the side of your house and make your side yard part of your primary outdoor living area.

This may also be the perfect spot for your barbecue grill or outdoor kitchen, which will leave more room for seating and mingling on your main patio.

15. A Backyard Movie Theater

Even a small side yard can be easily transformed into a backyard cinema.

While you can go all out and purchase a professional setup, you can also just hang a white sheet on the fence, add a few comfy chairs and enjoy your favorite flicks in the privacy of your side yard.

Do keep in mind that outdoor movie theaters can be a bit loud, so this may not work well for your side yard if your neighbor’s bedroom is right on the other side of the fence.

16. Kids’ Play Area

Here’s a place where toys can remain potentially out of sight from the house and main outdoor living space. Even the narrowest side yards provide an opportunity for kid fun whether it’s a simple chalk board hung on or built in to an existing fence, a playhouse or a small sandbox for sensory play.

One thing to think about is how to supervise the kids if sight lines are limited. Perhaps a nice bench swing or other small seating area might be a nice place to pop open a book or enjoy a drink while they play.

17. Outdoor Shower

No need to track sand from the beach into the house with an outdoor shower, especially since water has been turned off at state beaches due to the California drought. Outdoor showers are also an excellent place to give the dog a bath.

An  outdoor shower can be as ornate as a indoor shower with creative use of tile. Consider natural elements like stone or a backdrop of pebbles so that it blends into existing yard and home aesthetics.

A number of homeowners install outdoor showers as a DIY home improvement projects because they are often sold in kits, but be aware that permits may be required. Some cities require outdoor shower drains to be tied into the sanitary sewage. However, they are good opportunities to repurpose water for irrigation elsewhere, provided any bath products used are biodegradable.

18. Water Features

Drown out traffic and neighborhood noise with a water feature in the side yard. Not only does it look good, but running water tends to relieve stress and is an outdoor feng shui technique. Consider placing a fountain or similar near a home office window or bedroom. Make sure it has a recirculating pump which helps limit the need to add new water by keeping it moving, a requirement in many California cities due to the drought.

Side Yard Landscaping Tips: Basic Tips for Landscaping Side Yards

The strips of land between your house and your fence – or your house and your neighbors house – can be used as functional outdoor living space; however, they do often come with a few challenges.

For example, many side yards do not receive much sun or are barely wide enough for a walkway.

You may also have nosy or noisy neighbors, which can make using your side yard less appealing.

Here are 10 basic tips for overcoming side yard landscaping challenges:

1. Check with your local governing body to make sure your design ideas do not go against building codes or setback requirements.

2. If your side yard does not receive much sun, consider planting a shade garden to add color and texture with plants that do not require direct sunlight.

3. Natural grass usually does not do well in shade and requires a lot of maintenance. Opt for artificial grass instead for an attractive, low-maintenance side yard.

4. Install a fence, privacy screen or trellis to increase privacy in your side yard.

5. For a more cohesive look, continue your backyard landscaping into your side yard by using the same ground cover, hardscape or plants.

6. If your side yard is small, fill your flowerbeds or line your walkway with plants that do not spread much to avoid overwhelming the space.

7. Create visual interest by using tall plants that do not require much room, such as bamboo, which can also increase privacy.

8. If you live next to a noisy street or loud neighbors, reduce outside noise by installing a water fountain as part of your side yard landscape design.

9. Avoid the temptation to use this valuable space as a dumping ground for yard waste and clutter.

10. Think of side yards as the studio apartments of landscape design – a minimalist approach that focuses on function and visual appeal without a lot of extra stuff taking up space is best.

Your Turn…

With a little inspiration, you can transform your side yard from wasted space to an appealing outdoor living area.

Do you use your side yard for more than storing trash cans?

If so, let us know your tips for maximizing side yard space in the comments below.

The post Side Yard Landscaping Ideas: How to Maximize Your Side Yard appeared first on INSTALL-IT-DIRECT.

Landscape design in San Diego can be tricky. We talk a lot about how to maximize space in small yards, but there are also homeowners who have the opposite challenge: finding tips for low-maintenance landscaping for large yards. While more space is always nice, it can feel pretty overwhelming when you are looking at a large area with no landscaping or landscaping that needs to be replaced. This can be quite the home improvement project and — even if you have hired a professional landscaper to assist you — you might not know what you want or where to start.

Folks with acreage or large backyards sometimes install a swimming pool, a vineyard, an orchard, or an expansive, natural grass lawn to cover the area. If they have enough space, some homeowners choose to install a combination of these features. However, not everyone is interested in taking on the list of chores that comes with maintaining any of these options.

If you do not want to spend hours every week taking care of your landscaping or pay someone to do it for you, you are much better off choosing low-maintenance landscaping for large yards. Opting for easy-care landscaping features will allow you to beautify your yard and create usable spaces while also having more time to enjoy these outdoor living areas.

8 Tips for Low-Maintenance Landscaping for Large Yards

1. Install a large patio.

This may be one of the most expensive options on this list, but it is also one of the easiest ways to almost instantly have an attractive, low-maintenance space that you can use for anything from relaxing with your family to entertaining large groups of people.

For the greatest longevity and durability, consider installing a paving stone patio. One of the many benefits of going with this option for a large area is that you can more easily make repairs if damage occurs. For example, if a concrete patio gets a small crack or stain, you may be able to repair just the area and cross your fingers that the color will match. However, if it is a large crack or particularly stubborn stain, you will most likely need to replace the entire slab. If you replace only the damaged slab, it is nearly impossible to get the new concrete to match the older slabs that are still intact.

If you have stamped concrete, which is a much more attractive option, these repairs are even more expensive. If you choose a paving stone patio and a paving stone happens to crack or become stained, your professional installer can essentially unzip the pavers to replace only the paving stone that is damaged.

Aside from sweeping or spraying down your patio to remove dust and debris, patios are a low-maintenance landscaping option that can be used to cover a large area easily.

2. Install multiple decks and patios.

Another option is to install multiple patios and decks to cover the area, create functional spaces and enhance visual appeal. If you think you might want to use various materials to keep things interesting, such as a wood deck, a river rock patio and a paving stone patio, we recommend enlisting the assistance of a professional landscape designer to help you ensure a satisfactory end result. We love the idea of using different materials to create a unique look, but mixing various materials can quickly create a hodge-podge look without a carefully thought out plan.

3. Create multiple outdoor living areas.

Creating multiple outdoor living areas to cover a large area may or may not include one or more patios or decks. You will likely want to have at least some solid ground for entertaining, so a patio is a good idea, but you can mix this with gravel areas, artificial turf areas and garden areas to create separate spaces.

This option essentially entails creating various outdoor rooms or spaces that can serve different purposes. This may include more intimate, cozy areas surrounded by a privacy hedge to use as a reading nook or a spot for smaller groups to congregate. It may also include a large, open area where you can entertain bigger groups or have large dinner parties.

You could create a separate outdoor living room, outdoor kitchen and outdoor dining room, or you could install a fire pit area, a putting green, a meditation deck and an outdoor movie theater.

4. Install an artificial grass lawn.

If you love the idea of a huge, lush lawn that covers your entire yard but do not want the headaches, maintenance tasks and higher water bill that come along with natural grass, synthetic turf might be your best choice.

This is a fast, easy way to cover a large area with a low-maintenance landscaping feature that requires none of the watering, mowing, edging, fertilizing, aerating or weeding that comes with natural grass. While you get to enjoy an inviting, kid- and dog-friendly lawn that requires very little maintenance, you will not have to worry about brown spots, wet blades of grass being tracked into your home or mud after it rains.

Artificial grass lends itself well to multiple purposes and can withstand heavy traffic, so you can easily transform your yard into a field for impromptu soccer games, a play area for children or pets, an outdoor entertaining area, or simply an expansive lawn that you can admire from your patio while enjoying your morning coffee. To keep high-traffic areas looking fresh all year long, there are simple turf maintenance tasks that you or a professional can complete.

5. Cover the area with gravel, wood chips or bark.

In most cases, this will be the lowest-cost option on this list. So if you are on a tighter budget and need low-maintenance landscaping for large yards, you might want to consider gravel, wood chips or bark. Any of these options provides an easy way to quickly cover large areas of bare earth and enhance the visual appeal of your yard.

While they may not provide the same type of entertaining surface as a deck or patio, you can add picnic tables or patio furniture to areas with gravel, wood chips or bark to create functional outdoor living areas.

7. Opt for xeriscaping.

When some folks think of xeriscaping, they envision barren, desert-like landscapes void of color or inviting textures. In reality, drought-tolerant landscape design can include vibrant colors, multiple layers of texture, and truly attractive features that are warm and welcoming.

You might consider including a rock garden or walking path, or interspersing xeriscaping between patios and outdoor living areas.

8. Lay out a labyrinth.

For this option you can rely on your inner inspiration to come up with a labyrinth design or you can hire a landscape designer who specializes in these unique landscaping features.

Labyrinths have been used since at least the time of the ancient Egyptians and could date back considerably further. Walking a labyrinth is most often considered a meditative or spiritual practice, but modern labyrinths are sometimes simply used as a way to relax or focus your mind.

There are essentially two types of labyrinths to consider. The first is the maze labyrinth, which is laid out much like the hedge mazes you have seen in Europe or the corn mazes that are popular around Halloween. Of course, a low-maintenance labyrinth has no hedges, but it is laid out in a way that causes the visitor to make directional choices and to, perhaps, double back in search of another route.

There is also the meandering labyrinth, which is the type of labyrinth most of us are more used to seeing. These labyrinths may be laid out using artificial grass, natural grass, stepping stones surrounded by gravel, or a paving stone walkway.

A labyrinth can be as simple or intricate as you choose, but it will always ultimately lead to a set point in the center. It can also be as small or as large as you choose, which makes this a creative, visually interesting option for covering a large space.

Low-Maintenance Landscaping: Further Reading

• Preparing for Retirement: Creating a Low-Maintenance Yard for Your Golden Years
• 20 Low-Maintenance Plants for Your Yard
• 10 Ideas + Tips for Landscaping with Sedum
• Common Area Guide: Low-Maintenance Ideas + Tips

The post Low-Maintenance Landscaping for Large Yards {PRO Tips} appeared first on INSTALL-IT-DIRECT.

Colorful flowerbeds, vegetable gardens and expansive lawns are common sights in backyards, but they aren’t for everyone.

Some people prefer lower-maintenance landscaping options that will allow them to spend more time enjoying their yards and less time taking care of them.

This might include xeriscaping with native plants, installing large patio areas for outdoor entertaining, sticking to an easy-care container garden or planting low-water, evergreen perennials that look great with little care.

For some, even this is too much greenery.

If you have severe allergies, strong feelings about dirt or a seriously black thumb, you may prefer a backyard that is completely free of plants, flowers and other greenery.

While it might seem nearly impossible to have cozy, inviting outdoor spaces without a bit of shrubbery or pretty petals to soften things up, it is entirely possible to create a relaxing, beautiful backyard retreat that is free of flowery things.

Plus, you don’t have to sacrifice style or end up with a stark, sterile sea of concrete either.

You can have some fantastic, low-maintenance outdoor living and entertaining spaces that your neighbors will envy and your guests will enjoy even if there isn’t a flower in sight.

Here are 10 low-maintenance, plant-free backyard landscaping ideas and tips to consider when designing your private oasis.

1. Choose your hardscape carefully.

When planning a plant-free yard, hardscape features become even more important.

Your patio or deck will likely be a focal point in your landscaping and will provide the foundation on which you design the rest of your yard.

If you are working within a budget, it might be tempting to go for lower-cost options, like concrete, but many homeowners regret skimping on their hardscape once it is installed and doesn’t look quite as inviting or appealing as they had hoped.

Your outdoor living areas are an incredibly important part of your yard, and the hardscape options you choose set the tone for the overall look of your landscaping.

If you choose to have large concrete slabs in your plant-free yard, you might appreciate the upfront savings, but you also might regret your decision down the line – particularly once the concrete begins to age and crack.

Even if you are on a budget, a larger portion of your landscaping dollars should be dedicated to your patios and walkways, since these features are especially important.

Incorporating more attractive options like travertine, granite, slate, marble or paving stones is sure to pay off in the long run – both in the enjoyment you and your guests experience and in the overall value of your home.

Paving stones, in particular, immediately enhance your yard’s visual appeal and can increase your home’s value.

They also offer the perfect foundation from which to design your plant-free yard and provide beautiful, slip-resistant spaces for outdoor living and outdoor entertaining.

If higher-end options are not in your budget right now and you are looking for lower-cost choices, you might want to consider gravel, rather than settling for concrete.

Entertaining spaces and walkways with gravel as a ground cover can be attractive and inviting, particularly if you bring in bright colors with the patio cushions and keep the gravel raked and smooth.

One of the advantages of using gravel is that it can provide an attractive, temporary fix for your landscaping needs while helping you stay within your budget and not requiring removal by jackhammer a few years down the road when your budget might allow for paving stones or another hardscape option.

2. Choose non-living ground covers for texture, color and visual appeal.

Just because you don’t want a bunch of plants in your yard, that doesn’t mean that you want a bunch of patches of bare dirt.

In areas where you do not have patios or walkways, add visual interest, color and texture by incorporating a variety of non-living, low-maintenance ground covers.

Options include:

— Sand

— Decorative Gravel

— Tumbled Glass

— Drainage Rock

— Beach Pebbles

— Mulch

— Wood Chips

— Bark

— Rubber Mulch or Mats (for play areas or outdoor gyms)

Most of these options require very little care, such as occasional raking or mixing in new material every once in a while to keep it looking fresh.

Ground covers are a great way to cover dirt, reduce weed growth, and bring in a variety of textures and colors to enhance your yard’s visual appeal.

Most of these ground covers come in red, brown, gray and black hues, which provides more options for finding the perfect choice for your landscape design.

3. Use landscaping fabric.

Landscaping fabric, also known as weed fabric, is a must-have product for anyone using ground covers or creating a plant-free yard.

After all, weeds are plants, so if you are planning an outdoor entertaining area that is free of greenery, you certainly do not want weeds coming to the party.

This is an affordable investment that will not add much expense to your budget or time to your project, and it is well worth this upfront effort to significantly cut down on maintenance requirements moving forward.

4. Bring in a water feature.

Plants are just one element you can bring into your landscaping design; there are many other options.

Water is another popular landscaping element that enhances visual appeal, can provide a focal point for your yard and provides the soothing sound of running water for a more inviting outdoor living area.

A swimming pool is a great option for Southern California homes, and it is an option that can take up a sizable chunk of your yard, which can provide some relief when it comes to designing backyard landscaping.

If a pool is not in your budget or not a feature you are interested in including, you can also bring in the element of water with a waterfall, fountain or pond.

To better incorporate your water feature into your plant-free yard, surround it with a patio large enough for a seating area.

This provides a relaxing place to mingle with guests or enjoy an afternoon with a good book.

5. Avoid clutter.

When some homeowners commit to plant-free landscaping, they seem to feel compelled to fill the space with other objects to distract from the fact that their yard has no greenery.

A row of statues along your walkway, an abundance of fence art or a collection of garden gnomes is not going to make your yard more inviting; it is just going to make it look more cluttered and take away from the overall appeal.

Landscaping without plants allows for entertaining areas that are not cluttered with hanging planters, container gardens or overflowing flowerbeds, so fight the urge to fill the space with inanimate objects in an effort to make up for not having plants in your yard.

While greenery is expected, and your yard can feel a little bare without it, good landscape design will provide you with a welcoming space that will not feel lacking.

Commit to having clutter-free outdoor living areas for you, your family and your guests to enjoy.

6. Include functional features.

If you are not going to have the stereotypical large lawn in your backyard, you can free up lots of space for more functional features that will better meet your needs.

This might include a fire pit surrounded by gravel or a paving stone patio, an outdoor kitchen, a patio fireplace, a playground or just more room for a larger deck for entertaining.

Part of creating plant-free outdoor living spaces where you won’t miss the plants is making sure you include these functional features in the design.

For example, if you have a gorgeous, river rock fireplace on your patio, an outdoor movie theater or a travertine wall with a waterfall flowing into a pond, do you really think anyone will notice that there aren’t any flowerbeds along your fence?

7. Bring in color and textures.

Hardscape and ground covers provide lots of opportunities to bring color and texture to your landscape design, but you can enhance this further with your finishing touches.

Patio cushions and colorful outdoor rugs are easy, affordable additions that add color, texture and style to your outdoor living spaces.

You can also add vibrant color to your landscape design with ethnic art pieces or other global goods, such as Talavera stools, birdbaths or accent tables.

8. Light it up.

Landscape lighting provides necessary illumination for patios and walkways, helps create the mood for evening gatherings and is a great way to emphasize your interesting landscaping features.

When you choose to landscape without plants, other elements increase in importance; lighting is one of those elements that can add visual interest to your yard without adding features that require a lot of maintenance.

For those who want a low-maintenance, low-cost backyard, solar lighting is a great option.

When you choose solar-powered landscape lighting, you do not have to run wires or rely on electricity.

You can simply stick them in the ground and let them soak up the rays of the sun during the day to provide plenty of light for evening entertaining.

9. Consider artificial grass.

If your reason for not wanting to include plants in your landscape design is based on allergies, a desire to conserve water or the desire for a low-maintenance backyard, then you should consider installing artificial grass.

Synthetic turf is a great alternative to natural grass lawns and allows you to have the benefits of grass without the headaches.

With fake grass, you can have a lush, green lawn for you, your kids, your pets and your guests to enjoy without ever having to weed, aerate, water, fertilize, edge or mow.

Considering that Southern Californians seem to often find ourselves in a state of drought, water-saving landscape options like artificial turf are an ideal way to enjoy guilt-free greenery.

10. Remember that it does not have to be all or nothing.

Just because you have decided that a low-maintenance yard without gardens or flowerbeds is right for you, that does not mean that you cannot have any type of flora in your landscape design.

Low-maintenance, low-water ornamental grasses, container gardens or native plants can add plenty of color and visual interest to your yard without adding hours to your weekly home maintenance routine.

You can easily place a few accent plants around a patio or install a rock garden with a few plants that thrive with little care.

Wildflowers are another great option for folks who want flowers but do not want to increase their chore list.

Native wildflowers that are known to thrive in your area take little effort to plant, do not require pesticides or fertilizers, and do not require as much water as other options.

They are perfectly happy to do their thing with little help, which makes them a great choice for homeowners who want to let their backyard express its wild side with little effort on their part.

If you do choose to include a little container garden, a few fruit trees or some flowers in your landscape design, be sure to also include automatic irrigation, which will help you save time and water.

Some homeowners are not going to be happy with the end result if there isn’t at least a little green thrown in there, so you might want to consider a few strategically placed plants or trees to cover your bases.

Plant-Free Landscaping: Final Thoughts

Forgoing flowerbeds and a large, natural grass lawn may be a challenge for some, but the money, water and time you can save when you opt for low-maintenance landscaping is a pretty good tradeoff for those who are not overly concerned with filling their yard with greenery.

If you don’t have a green thumb, have allergies, or simply do not want to spend hours taking care of your yard – or thousands of dollars each year paying someone else to do it for you – a plant-free outdoor living space might be the best option for you.

Photo Credits (in order of appearance): morgueFile, kconnors; morgueFile, click; morgueFile, beglib; morgueFile, beglib; morgueFile, GaborfromHungary; morgueFile, wallir.

The post How to Go Plant-Free in Your Landscape Design appeared first on INSTALL-IT-DIRECT.

There are several types of easements, but for the purpose of this blog post, we are primarily talking about the very front portion of your property where there is probably a sidewalk, and then a small strip of land between the sidewalk and the street.

The sidewalk, which is probably technically on your property, is most likely a right-of-way easement, which allows access to travel across your property. The strip of land that may be between the sidewalk and the curb is often also an easement that may have utility lines above or below the ground to which the city or utility companies may need access.

As for the sidewalk, homeowners are required to keep it free of debris and are not allowed to block access by parking your car across it, placing your garbage cans on it or keeping personal belongings in this space.

However, while you are responsible for that sort of maintenance, if the sidewalk cracks or is in disrepair, these repairs often are the responsibility of the city.

But it is not always that simple.

For example, within the city limits of San Diego, residents in some neighborhoods are responsible for the repair and maintenance of a sidewalk that abuts their property; in other neighborhoods, the sidewalk areas have been essentially deeded to the city, making the city the property owner and responsible for repairs.

If you have to look at a concrete sidewalk every time you pull into your driveway or step outside your home, you may be tempted to replace it with something far more attractive, such as paving stones, but you will need to contact your local government first to determine who owns the property and make sure you have permission to make this sort of change to a possible right-of-way easement on your property.

If you just want to put in a paving stone driveway that will not interfere with the easement or HOA, you should not have a problem.

Landscaping Tips for Curbside Right-of-Way Easements: What to Consider

Right-of-way easements are usually strips of land that range between three and 10 feet in width that run between the street and residential or commercial properties.

The city, county and utility companies have the right to access this area to maintain, repair, widen or build streets, curbs and sidewalks.

The property owners may or not be responsible for sidewalk maintenance and repairs, but the homeowner is responsible for landscaping and maintenance of the strip of land on their property that lies between the curb or street and the sidewalk. This means a few things:

Firstly, it means that you are responsible for weed abatement, debris removal and maintaining access to this section of land.

It also means that you are responsible for ensuring that the landscaping you choose for this strip of land does not block the view of drivers as they travel down the street in front of your property.

While your homeowners association or neighborhood governing body may have codes that regulate the type of landscaping allowed in your front yard, you are generally able to landscape this area as you see fit – as long as it does not block access, block drivers’ view of the street or cross streets, or create a safety hazard.

You generally cannot fence the area, since this would block access, and you may not want to blow much of your landscaping budget on this strip of land, since your expensive landscaping could be ripped out if a utility company needs to access underground lines at some point in the future.

So with these limitations in mind, you may be wondering how best to landscape the strip of land between the curb and the sidewalk in front of your home.

Let’s start with seven things to consider before designing your landscaping:

1. Your landscaping could be removed at some point to allow access to underground lines, so do not get too attached to it or spend too much money on it.

2. People parking on the street are likely going to step out of their cars onto the curb, so fragile flowers or ground-cover is probably not a good choice.

3. You are responsible for ongoing maintenance of this area, so choosing low-maintenance landscaping options is likely the best idea.

4. Unless you want to run a drip system or install sprinklers in this area, you may want to consider landscaping options that require little to no water.

5. This area is part of your front yard but is not really protected by your fence or your neighbors’ sense of property ownership rights, so it should visually flow with the rest of your landscaping. But understand that neighborhood kids might pick your flowers or steal your fruit.

6. When it comes to increasing your home’s curb appeal, this area should not be overlooked, particularly since it is the first thing your guests will see as they park their cars in front of your home.

7. Blocking the view of your home from the street is bad for home security, so tall hedges and full trees may not be the best ideas for landscaping along the curb.

Landscaping Tips for Curbside Right-of-Way Easements

That strip of land between the curb and the sidewalk – which is sometimes called a parking strip or planting strip – may be an awkward area to landscape, but leaving a dirt patch or letting the weeds grow freely is wasting space in your front yard and taking away from your home’s curb appeal.

This is the first area visitors see when arriving at your home or driving by, which makes this small patch of land essential to the overall visual appeal of your property and makes a statement about you to your neighbors and guests.

Cleaning up and landscaping this area shows that you take pride in your home while also showing your neighbors that you take pride in the neighborhood and want to do your part in making it a pleasant place to call home.

Of course, when beautifying this section of your front yard, you do have to keep in mind that car doors, foot traffic and neighborhood pets may impact your parking strip garden, so strong plants or low-maintenance ground-cover should likely be at the top of your list during the design process.

After all, you can pretty much guarantee that neighborhood kids are going to trample your sidewalk landscaping on their way home from the bus stop and that your neighbors’ dogs will use your little garden as a bathroom.

However, this should not stop you from creating an inviting, attractive patch of land that complements your front yard landscaping and welcomes guests to your home.

Here are 15 ways you can improve your home’s curb appeal right at the curb:

1. Plant a fragrance garden.

Walkers and joggers will love passing your home if you plant shrub roses, lavender or other easy-care options near the curb to add color and fragrance to your front yard.

2. Plant a container garden.

If you are concerned that your parking strip landscaping may be ripped up by a utility company, you can always plant a container garden that can be easily moved if someone needs to dig up a gas pipe.

3. Plant native or ornamental grasses.

Fill this street-side garden bed with low-maintenance ornamental grasses or native grasses that will add texture and color without the need for excessive watering and care.

4. Go simple with gravel or mulch.

If you want an incredibly low-maintenance ground-cover option that will provide a simple, clean look, you can always just fill this strip of land with gravel, wood chips, bark or mulch.

These options are easy to maintain and occasionally refresh to keep them looking new.

To make one of these options even lower maintenance, place weed cloth underneath to limit weed growth even more.

5. Plant a cutting garden.

If you love fresh flowers but do not have much room in other areas of your yard for a cutting garden, plant flowers along the curb to ensure you always have flowers ready to cut and bring indoors.

6. Install a paving stone border.

If your sidewalk garden is located where people park their cars in the street, install a paving stone border around your planting space will provide people with a place to step out of their cars with out disturbing your flowers or grasses.

7. Choose xeriscaping to save water.

For a low-maintenance, low-water garden near the street, consider xeriscaping with native plants, succulents, salvias or cacti.

8. Plant a vegetable garden.

This option is not going to work for every homeowner, but if you feel comfortable growing vegetables or herbs near the street in front of your home, this is a great way to make this small strip of land a functional part of your front yard.

9. Install artificial grass.

Synthetic turf is the perfect option for planting strips in any neighborhood, particularly in communities where most homes have expansive grass lawns in the front yard with more grass in the area between the sidewalk and curb.

You get to have the look and feel of natural grass without ever having to worry about brown spots from neighborhood dogs visiting frequently or dead spots where people step out of their cars.

Artificial grass is easy to clean if pets use it as a restroom, can stand up to heavy traffic, and does not require mowing, weeding, watering, aerating, edging, fertilizing or any of the other maintenance tasks needed to keep natural grass looking its best.

10. Head to the rock yard.

Another low-maintenance option that requires no water and keeps weeds down is the use of large rocks as a ground-cover.

Rather than using small gravel, opt for rocks that are about the size of your fist to add a different texture to your landscaping and keep your curbside area looking clean and well kept.

You can just use the rocks, or you can add a few strategically placed plants or ornamental grasses to bring color to the space.

11. Make a walkway.

If you would like to plant something pretty along the front of your property but are afraid guests will trample your tulips walking out to their cars, make stepping stones or a paving stone walkway part of your landscape design.

12. Throw in some curves.

Curbs and sidewalks tend to have hard, straight lines of concrete, but you can soften the look by adding curvy lines in your landscaping design for your curbside garden bed.

13. Plant small shrubs or a hedge.

If you do not mind some occasional pruning, planting a short hedge or small shrubs along the sidewalk can increase the privacy of your property without completely blocking the view from the street.

14. Install paving stones.

Hardscape is the way to go if you want an essentially no-maintenance option for the front of your property.

By installing paving stones in the parking strip in front of your home, you can significantly improve the visual appeal of the space, particularly if the pavers match the paving stones used in your driveway or the walkway leading to your door.

15. Install a raised garden bed.

One way to keep people from walking through your curbside garden is to install a raised garden bed made from wood, bricks or rocks.

Be sure that you are not limiting access to the sidewalk and that folks have enough room to open car doors without banging into the sides of your garden beds.

Raised garden beds are a great place to grow ornamental grasses, perennials or a vegetable garden.

Your Turn…

Have you improved your home’s landscape design with a sidewalk garden?

If so, we would love for you to share your creative landscaping tips in the comments below.

Photo Credits (in order of appearance): morgueFile, kamuelaboy; morgueFile, dee; morgueFile, click; morgueFile, RobbinsSky; morgueFile, EmmiP

The post Sidewalk Landscaping Guide: Curbside Easements {Ideas + Tips} appeared first on INSTALL-IT-DIRECT.

Hosting an at-home wedding is a great way for a bride on a budget to save money on her big day while still having her dream wedding.

Renting out your property for backyard weddings is also a great way for homeowners to generate income while helping couples create a special day their guests will never forget.

Whether your daughter just asked if you can host her wedding reception in your backyard, or you are considering renting out a particular area of your property to couples in search of a unique venue for their ceremony, there are plenty of things to consider before taking on this fun but challenging venture.

Of course, it is much simpler to clean up your yard for a one-time event than it is to create a destination that will appeal to couples and generate regular income, but either situation is a possibility – even if your backyard is small or currently lacking landscaping.

After all, a small venue makes for a more intimate setting for a couple to celebrate their special day with their family and closest friends, and a yard without landscaping is a blank canvas just waiting for someone to transform it into a welcoming oasis.

Read on for simple tips and ideas that will help you create the perfect venue for a one-time affair or ongoing, supplemental income for your family.

How to Create a Backyard Wedding Venue: First Things First

Before you start advertising your space for rent or you promise your nephew to provide the perfect place for his reception, make sure you are prepared to take on this challenge.

Here are 10 questions you need to ask yourself well before you invest in landscape design or commit to hosting a friend’s commitment ceremony in your outdoor living space:

1. Is nearby guest parking available on your property, on the street or in a nearby parking lot from which shuttle service can be provided?

2. Is there bathroom access for guests? This may include allowing guests to use one or more bathrooms in your home or outdoor space for rented restrooms.

3. If you have a natural grass lawn that will be part of the space used, are you prepared for it to be trampled by guests or for a dance floor left on the grass a little too long to kill parts of it?

4. Are there local noise ordinances or zoning issues that could pose a problem with hosting a one-time event or making this an ongoing business?

5. Are your neighbors close enough to hear the loud music and late-night festivities? If so, are they cool enough to put up with it without complaining to the authorities?

6. Can your outdoor living spaces hold enough guests to make your yard an appealing option?

7. Do you feel confident that your insurance policies will cover property damage or injuries that may occur during the event?

8. Are you prepared for guests to wander through your home on their way to the bathroom or your backyard – potentially breaking, stealing or handling family heirlooms and personal belongings?

9. Can you commit the time and money it will take to prepare your yard for the event and clean up after the festivities?

10. Do you have a separate space where your children or pets can be during the event so that they are not heard by or mingling with the guests?

If you have answered these 10 questions and have come to the conclusion that a backyard wedding venue is a viable option for you, read on for tips that can help you transform your yard into a beautiful, inviting outdoor space perfect for celebrating special occasions.

How to Create a Backyard Wedding Venue: Doing the Groundwork

Before you hang the paper lanterns and set up folding chairs, you need to do the groundwork required to build a foundation and atmosphere that is safe, welcoming and attractive.

The first step in accomplishing this is determining which hardscape and ground cover options will work best for your space.

Not only do you need a great outdoor space for entertaining, you also need a way for guests to get to that space.

Preferably, this will not require guests to walk through your home to reach the venue.

A paving stone walkway that leads from the parking or shuttle drop-off area is an ideal option that provides a beautiful entrance through which guests will arrive.

If there is room, you can line this walkway with low-maintenance native plants, decorative gravel or perennials that will add color to the pathway.

Next, you will need to determine a ground cover option for the main outdoor entertaining space.

This may include hardscape features, such as an expansive patio that can be used for guest seating, serving food or a dance floor.

If so, a paving stone patio is a good choice, which will beautify the area, provide a slip-resistant surface for guests and can even increase the value of your home.

If you already have a concrete patio or another functional but less attractive option, you may want to consider investing in outdoor rugs, which can bring color to the space and increase visual interest.

Many outdoor event venues have a grassy area where couples can exchange vows or guests can mingle during the reception.

If you currently have a natural grass lawn you intend to use as part of your venue, follow these six tips to make sure it looks its best and provides a safer surface for guests:

1. Mow your lawn so that it is short enough for guests to easily walk on it.

2. Fill holes and remove clumpy areas to reduce tripping hazards.

3. Do not water your lawn for a few days before the event so that the area will be dry.

4. Do not fertilize your lawn, use herbicides or apply pesticides in the days leading up to the event. Take care of these tasks at least a few weeks before the special day to avoid exposing guests to chemicals.

5. Keep your dogs off of the grass for at least a few weeks before the event to limit brown spots and allow current brown spots to grow in green.

6. Consider reseeding your lawn a few weeks before the event to fill in bare patches and create a lush look.

A one-time event should not destroy your natural grass lawn beyond repair, but if you plan to regularly host weddings or other events in your backyard, you may want to consider installing an artificial turf lawn.

Synthetic grass always looks lush and green, which provides a beautiful space for entertaining guests.

It is also a low-maintenance landscaping option that requires no weeding, edging, mowing, watering, aerating, pesticides or herbicides.

Owners of outdoor event venues that use artificial grass benefit from lower maintenance requirements and lower ongoing maintenance costs, which makes this an appealing option for those who plan to use one or more of the outdoor living spaces on their property for outdoor event rental income.

How to Create a Backyard Wedding Venue: Landscape Design

Hiring a landscape designer that can help you turn your ideas into reality and design a beautiful area for celebrations is the best way to create a venue for a one-time event or an ongoing rental space.

A professional designer can create exterior spaces that can serve multiple purposes, such as providing attractive entertaining areas that can also be used as comfortable outdoor living spaces for your family when not in use for special events.

They can help you turn your dreams of a beautiful backyard into a reality and have the know-how to design a space that will appeal to couples looking for a unique space in which to hold their ceremony or reception.

However, you do not have to hire a professional to create a backyard oasis that is perfect for both everyday outdoor living and entertaining.

Here are 11 landscape design tips for creating a venue in your backyard:

1. Keep in mind that plants need time to mature and flowers need time to bloom, so implement your landscape design well before the date of the event.

2. To save time, money and headaches, work with what is already there. If you have a great tree, a water feature or just some pretty cool plants, try to incorporate them into your design or make them a focal point that will add visual interest to your yard.

3. Maximize small spaces by prioritizing necessities, avoiding unnecessary features that take up room and separating your outdoor entertaining spaces into areas that flow together but can be used for different purposes.

4. If you happen to have a great view somewhere on your property, take full advantage of it by making it a focal point or creating an area where photographs can be taken with the view as the backdrop.

5. Consider installing a white garden to beautify the space without bringing in too many different colors. A tasteful garden that focuses on white flowers and green foliage will work with any couple’s wedding colors and theme, and white is a traditional wedding color.

6. If you plan on frequently using the space for events and portable bathrooms will regularly be placed in your yard, consider installing a gravel area dedicated for this purpose.

7. Even in Southern California, mornings and evenings can be quite chilly, so consider installing an outdoor fireplace or a fire pit to help keep guests warm.

8. If your budget allows, consider installing a full outdoor kitchen, which can significantly broaden the appeal of your space for potential renters.

9. Implement natural pest control measures to keep guests comfortable, such as planting sage, rosemary or basil.

10. Make sure you leave plenty of open space for guest seating or mingling by not overdoing it on landscaping features that take up a lot of room in your yard.

11. Consider using native plant species and ground covers that require little or no water to save on ongoing maintenance costs.

How to Create a Backyard Wedding Venue: The Importance of Curb Appeal

Keep in mind that it is not just your backyard that guests will see.

When they arrive at your home, your front yard is the first thing they will see and should provide an inviting, appealing first impression.

You can easily enhance your home’s curb appeal with these simple tips:

1. Enhance the look of your sidewalk easement with a sidewalk garden or decorative gravel.

2. Make sure your yard and porch are clear of debris and toys.

3. Make sure walkways are well lit and clear of debris and low-hanging branches.

4. Ensure guests can easily find the event location by prominently displaying your address.

5. Enhance the look of your front porch with hanging flowerpots, attractive seating or a few well-placed containers overflowing with flowers.

How to Create a Backyard Wedding Venue: Final Thoughts

Weddings taking place at private homes are a growing trend, particularly with many couples looking for ways to save money or for something a bit more personalized or unique than a traditional church ceremony.

With the growing popularity of destination weddings, many couples are also looking for attractive venues where they can host their receptions once they return home after getting married.

This has created the opportunity for a cottage industry through which homeowners can supplement their income by renting their outdoor entertaining spaces.

If you do plan to make this a business, check with your local governing body to make sure you are in compliance with any local ordinances or licensing requirements.

You will also want to build relationships with local vendors, such as caterers, party rental companies, wedding officiates, florists and deejays so that you can refer business to each other and be able to assist your clients in making the connections they need for successful party planning.

Did you have a backyard wedding?

If so, how did you create the perfect venue for your special day?

Photo Credits (in order of appearance): venuelust.com morgueFile, earl53; morgueFile, Penywise; author, morgueFile, earl53; author.

The post Backyard Wedding Venues Guide: Turning Your Property Into A Wedding Venue appeared first on INSTALL-IT-DIRECT.

Knowing at least a few basic landscape terms will help facilitate communication with your landscape designer or contractor. It will help you achieve the look and function you want and avoid an end result that is not exactly what you had in mind. Even if you are not working with a designer and will be doing your landscaping as a do-it-yourself project, knowing landscape terminology will help as you research features you might want to include in your design and when you head to the home improvement store or garden center to buy plants and materials.

And, of course, it never hurts to throw out a few fancy landscaping terms to impress your friends and neighbors while giving tours of your finished project.

You will find lots of long, alphabetical lists of landscaping terminology online, many of which contain terms you will likely never use and that your landscaper might not even know. So, to help save you some time and find the terms that pertain to your projects, we have put together this truncated – or, shall we say, pruned – list of basic landscape terms, terminology commonly used in Southern California, and a few slightly-above-basic terms that might be helpful. We also organized them by category to make finding what you are looking for in regards to your particular project quicker and easier.

Landscaping Terms: Plants, Flowers, and Trees

Annuals –

Annuals are flowering plants that bloom for a single season and need to be replanted each year. Annuals are usually used to add fast, easy color in containers, borders, and flowerbeds.

Biennials –

Biennials have a lifespan of two years, which means that they germinate, grow to maturity, flower, and die over a two-year period. Biennials will germinate and grow the first year, and then bloom the second year.

Perennials –

Perennials continue to bloom each year for many years. Because you will have them for several years to come, make sure you pick a good spot for your perennials where they can beautify your outdoor living areas well into the future.

Deciduous –

Deciduous trees and shrubs lose their leaves each year and are usually bare and dormant during the winter months. If you are strategically planting trees to reduce energy consumption and lower your utility bills, this is the type you want. The reason you want deciduous trees is that their leaves will help shade your home in the warmer months of a Southern California summer to help keep your home cooler, but their lack of leaves in the winter will allow your home to soak up the warming rays of the sun.

Evergreen –

Evergreen trees and shrubs keep their foliage throughout the year and do not lose their leaves in winter. This makes them a better choice for privacy screens and is often appealing to Southern California homeowners, since we can entertain outdoors all year long.

Herbaceous –

Herbaceous plants have non-woody stems and grow to maturity and bloom in the first year. They will then die back in winter and return in spring to do it all over again.

Monoecious –

Monoecious plants and trees have both male and female sex organs, which means they are self-fertile and can produce flowers or fruits without the need for cross-pollination. If you are planting fruit trees, this is important information to know, since you will need to know if you need to plant a male tree and a female tree or if you will be okay with just one tree.

Dioecious –

Dioecious plants and trees are either male or female and require cross-pollination with an opposite sex plant in order to produce flowers or fruit. This is important to know when planting fruit trees if you are hoping to get fruit. It is also important to know if you are choosing trees for landscaping and do not care about the fruit, since female trees are more likely to shed fruit, pods, or seeds and often require more cleanup; whereas, male trees produce more allergy-inducing pollen.

Ornamental Grass –

Ornamental grasses include both true grasses and sedges and come in many varieties, which makes this a versatile option for landscape design. Ornamental grasses generally require no mowing or only occasional mowing, so they are also a low-maintenance option. You can use taller varieties to add height to borders, low-growing varieties as low-care groundcovers, or clumping varieties as privacy screens. Look for drought-tolerant options for Southern California gardens.

Living Ground Cover –

Living ground covers are low-growing plants or grasses planted to cover bare ground. This might include ground covers used around larger plants in containers or borders, or it might be large swathes of land covered by mass plantings for erosion control.

Clumping –

Some ground covers and grasses come in either clumping or spreading varieties. It is important to research the varieties you are considering to see if they are clumping, which means that they spread slowly forming clumps of plants. Clumping plants are more likely to stay in the area where you planted them and not invade other parts of your garden.

Spreading (or Running) –

Spreading plants spread quickly, which is good for mass plantings and areas where you are looking for a fast-growing ground cover. The downside to spreading plants is that they may spread outside of the area in which they are planted to overtake your lawn or nearby flowerbeds.

Underplanting –

Underplanting is the practice of planting smaller plants and flowers close to the base of larger plants in an effort to fill out your space and add more color to your landscaping design.

Barrier Plants –

Barrier plants include thorny varieties and others with deterring characteristics that help protect all or part of your yard. Their purpose is to keep dogs from getting into your vegetable garden, keep wildlife away from food plants, or keep bad guys out of your yard.

Native Plants –

Plants that grow in the area naturally and were not introduced to the area are considered native plants. Native plants will thrive with little maintenance needed, which means less irrigation and no need for fertilizing. In Southern California, landscaping with drought-tolerant, native plants conserves water and requires less maintenance while adding texture, color, and visual appeal.

Exotic Plants –

Plants that are not native to the area are referred to as exotic plants in landscape terminology. Exotic plants may be invasive and may require more water and care, but this is not always true. Some exotics may be from parts of the world with similar climates and soil, so they may be drought tolerant and able to thrive locally.

Invasive Plants –

Invasive plants are those that were introduced to an area and grow and spread in a manner that is detrimental to the local environment. They may increase the risk of wildfire or flooding, may crowd out native plants, or may be harmful to the health of people or animals in the area.

Espalier –

In Southern California, espalier is generally used with fruit trees as a way to control growth and, in some cases, grow fruit in smaller spaces. Espalier is used as a noun to describe trees and shrubs that are trained to grow flat on lattice or a trellis against a wall and also as a verb to describe the process of training the trees or shrubs to grow flat against a wall.

Landscaping Terms: Garden Structures and Features

Arbor –

An arbor is an open framework structure often shaped in an arch and usually made of wood. Arbors provide trellis-like support for vines or plants and provide shade to walkways or seating areas.

Trellis –

Trellises are often made of wood, metal, plastic, or lattice and are used to support vines and plants.

Allee –

An allee is a walkway lined with trees, a tall hedge, or tall shrubs.

Patte d’oie –

A patte d’oie is a landscaping feature made up of three, four, or five allees radiating out from a central point.

Pergola –

This landscaping feature is an open framework structure, like an arbor or trellis, but are larger and sturdier. Pergolas are designed to provide shade for patios or walkways and can be left open at the top or covered with fabric or vines.

Gazebo –

These free-standing garden structures have roofs usually made of wood. They are generally open-sided structures with half walls made from wood or lattice with columns or beams holding up a solid roof.

Belvedere –

Belvederes look like gazebos or open galleries. They differ from these structures because they are designed specifically to accentuate an amazing view or a focal point in the garden.

Privacy Screen –

Privacy screens include pretty much any landscaping feature that is used to block the view of a particular area of your yard to hide an air conditioning unit, trash cans, or some other unsightly item or to enhance privacy by blocking the view of your yard. Examples of privacy screens include shrubs and hedges, trellises, fences, patio curtains, and hanging planters.

Deck –

A deck is usually a raised structure made of wood or composite material made to look like wood.

Patio –

Patios are outdoor living areas generally made from pavers, concrete, bricks, river rocks, flagstones, other hardscape materials. Some are covered, while others are open. Some are attached to the residence, while others are detached and providing a seating area in the yard. The term patio is the most common word for residential outdoor living areas used in Southern California.

Terrace –

A terrace is very similar to a patio. They are made from hardscape materials and may or may not be attached to the house. The difference between a terrace and a patio is that patios are directly on the ground, while terraces are built above ground level.

Veranda –

Veranda is a term more often used in the South but sometimes used in Southern California. This landscaping term describes a covered outdoor living area that is attached to the house.

Porch –

Porches are covered outdoor living areas that are attached to the house and are associated with the main entrance or back entrance to a home.

Portico –

Portico is Italian for porch and describes a covered structure that is attached to a house and associated with an entryway. A portico functions as a porch but may extend out to cover a walkway.

It should be noted that veranda, porch, and portico are landscaping terms that are often confused and sometimes used interchangeably. There are subtle differences, but the term you use in SoCal is most likely to be determined by the architectural style of your home. For example, Craftsman-style homes have porches, Mediterranean-style homes have porticos, and if your home happens to be a Nantucket-inspired mansion, you are probably going to call it a veranda.

Retaining Wall –

This functional landscaping feature is used to prevent erosion and stabilize slopes. Retaining walls can be built from concrete, bricks, paving stones, rocks, wood, or other solid materials.

Raised Garden Bed –

Raised garden beds, which are often just called raised beds, are garden structures that allow you to grow food, flowers, or other plants above the soil line. Some gardeners choose raised beds because of their orderly visual appeal, while others use raised beds to overcome drainage issues or to better control the soil content and structure.

Landscaping Terms: Legal Stuff

Building Codes –

Building codes are laws and regulations that tell you how, where and with what you can build structures and features in your yard. One of the benefits of working with a professional landscape designer is that he or she should be well versed when it comes to building codes.

Building Permits (aka Construction Permits) –

Some landscaping features require a permit from your local government. This will entail submitting plans to your city or county so that they can approve your project before you begin. Fences, patios, swimming pools, and permanent structures are examples of some of the features in your design that will likely require a building permit. Electrical work and plumbing work also usually require permits.

Easement –

You know that strip of land between the sidewalk and the curb in front of your house? That is called an easement. Depending on where you live and the zoning in your area, there may be other easements on your property as well. Basically, an easement gives someone land use rights for land that does not belong to them. For example, that strip of land between the sidewalk and the curb is most likely your responsibility as far as maintenance goes, but a utility company can come in and dig it up any time to repair or install lines.

Set Back –

A set back is the required distance for placement of trees, plants, or structures from houses and property lines. For example, most cities will not allow you to build a shed or other permanent structure within five feet of a property line.

General Landscaping Terms

Hardscape –

Hardscape refers to walls, patios, walkways, and other non-living structures in your landscaping design often made from wood, brick, stone, or concrete. Artificial grass is also considered hardscape.

Softscape –

Softscape refers to the natural components in your landscaping, such as plants and soil.

Ground Cover –

Ground cover is pretty much anything used to cover soil, which may include low-growing plants, mulch, gravel, wood chips, or bark.

Landscaping Fabric (aka Weed Fabric) –

Landscaping fabric comes in rolls and can be placed over bare soil prior to installing your ground cover to limit weed growth.

Grading –

This process is used to move earth to adjust the slope of the land to allow for proper drainage and functionality.

Zoning –

Zoning laws control how properties can be used in a community. This likely will not apply to you in regards to landscape design, unless you need to be zoned for horses or livestock as part of your plan.

Drainage –

Drainage refers to how surface water moves, including into the soil and running through your yard to an exit point. Working with a grading professional will help ensure your property is graded for good drainage.

Drought Tolerant –

Drought tolerance refers to a plants ability to survive and produce in times of drought or arid conditions.

Terracing –

Land with a significant slope may benefit from and become more usable with terracing, which is the process of creating multiple level areas in a stair-like fashion that often includes the use of retaining walls to control erosion and soil movement.

Xeriscaping –

This refers to a type of landscaping that is most often used in areas that are prone to drought and focuses on reducing the amount of water used for landscaping by selecting native plants, improving the soil, and designing with water conservation in mind.

Urban Farming –

Urban farming is landscape terminology that is used to describe different things but, for the purpose of landscape design, it refers to the current trend of homeowners dedicating at least a small portion of their property to growing food, tending bees, or raising livestock.

Soil Test –

When your landscape designer or contractor says they want to do a soil test, they just mean they want to conduct a simple test on your soil to check out its nutrient levels and see which improvements they might recommend adding before they begin planting your plants.

Backfill –

In landscape design, backfill generally refers to the soil or soil and other materials that are added back to an area after excavation.

French Drain –

A landscape designer may suggest adding a French drain to improve drainage in your yard. This will involve a trench with or without a perforated pipe backfilled with gravel or rock to direct water.

Concept Plan –

This is an initial drawing of your landscape design that includes the basic features, such as existing hardscapes, planned hardscapes, and basic plant placement.

Landscape Plan –

This is more like a final plan (although things might change) that will be drawn after you and your landscape designer have finalized your design. It will include much more detail than the concept plan.

Rendering/3D Rendering –

If you are working with a landscape designer, you will likely receive a rendering during the final planning stages. This requires a computer program that creates a 2D or 3D image that really lets you see how your landscaping will look when completed.

CADD/CADD Drawing –

CADD stands for computer-aided design and drafting. Sometimes you will instead see CAD, which stands for computer-aided design. A CADD drawing is a 2D or 3D image created with the use of a computer program.

Landscape Terminology: Final Thoughts

If all this sounds like a bit too much to learn, or you just want to ease the landscape design and installation process, consider working with a landscape designer or contractor who can help you each step of the way. To get started today, contact one of our professional design consultants.

The post 57 Landscape Design Terms You Need to Know in Southern California appeared first on INSTALL-IT-DIRECT.

Most people living in San Diego County live within driving distance – or even walking distance – to some fantastic beaches.

There are also plenty of homeowners who live right on the beach, but not all of us are fortunate enough to have the ocean just steps away from our front door—like those in Del Mar, La Jolla, or Solana Beach.

Not everyone can carve time out of their busy schedules to grab a towel and head down to the beach, while others just do not like the idea of having to share their day on the sand with dozens – or hundreds – of other people at popular local beaches.

For those of us who do not live right on the beach, or even for those who do but want something a little more private, there is a solution.

You can create a beach paradise to enjoy any time of the day by installing your own oasis right in your backyard.

Backyard landscaping ideas range from tropical themes to elegant English gardens, but most people tend to relegate features like sand to their children’s sandbox tucked in a corner of their play area.

When we bring the sand out of the sandbox and use it as a main feature in our landscaping, along with other beach décor, we can enjoy a beachside retreat any time of the day or night.

Sand castle competitions with our friends or family, sunbathing on the sand, dipping our toes in soothing saltwater and playing beach volleyball without ever leaving the house are all possible with a backyard beach.

Whether you are interested in adding a mini coastal retreat to a corner of your yard or transforming your entire outdoor living space into a beach-themed sanctuary, the tips and ideas below will help you build your private beach from the ground up.

Designing a Backyard Beach: Initial Considerations

While you can create a beach-themed yard without the use of sand, if you truly want to create the look and feel of a seaside resort, sand is pretty much a requirement.

This relatively affordable landscaping material is easy to come by and easy to work with, but it is imperative that you consider the ramifications of adding this amount of sand to your soil.

Much of the soil in San Diego County is ideal from growing a wide variety of landscaping options, including fruit trees, vegetable gardens, many flowers and just about anything else you might want to grow.

But all of that can change once you introduce tons of sand to the environment.

You may have heard that adding a bit of sand to San Diego’s clay soil can benefit your garden beds, and this is often true, but when you are creating a beach in your yard, you will be using much more than a little bit of sand.

Most plants and flowers do not grow well in overly sandy soil, so you will need to take special care when designing your beach landscape to ensure that your added sand stays in your beach area and out of your flowerbeds or vegetable garden.

This can be easily accomplished by using a wood or paving stone border to separate your sand from the rest of your yard.

Creating a border will keep the majority of the sand in your beach area, which will help protect your other landscaping features.

If you have a swimming pool or plan to install one as part of your beach theme, make sure you have a wide pool deck or patio around your pool to help keep sand out of the water.

If you plan to install an in-ground or above-ground pool as part of your backyard beach landscaping, you will want to install this feature prior to bringing tons of sand into your yard for use as landscaping material.

Before you bring in the sand, you should also have a good idea of the layout you want for your beach.

You may need to include solid borders to section off different sandy areas, install your boardwalk-style walkways or build up areas with heavier landscaping material for sand dunes before bringing in your beach sand.

Design Ideas for Backyard Beaches

Much of the beach-like feel of your patio and backyard will come from the décor, but before we go into beach chairs, driftwood and umbrellas, we should first address the more permanent landscaping features that will need to be considered during the design stage.

Sand Dunes

If you have enough space to include sand dunes in your landscape design, this feature can truly make your backyard feel like a real beach.

You do not need very many dunes to produce a beach look, and you can even use them to create separate seating areas or a more intimate space for a fire pit.

Rather than piling up tons of sand to create each dune, you may want to go the easier route of building mounds with small gravel or a similar landscaping material, and then covering the mounds with sand.

This will also add stability to your backyard sand dunes.

Fire Pit

There is nothing quite like gathering around a bonfire on the beach to watch the sunset.

You can recreate this scene in your backyard by installing a fire pit surrounded by Adirondack chairs.

Sand is a much safer landscaping material to use around a fire pit than many other options, but you can enhance safety further and create a solid seating area by surrounding your fire pit with a small paving stone patio.

You do not necessarily need a bonfire-size fire pit in order to enjoy a sandy, fireside retreat in your yard; even a small fire pit will create a cozy atmosphere for cuddling under the stars or roasting hot dogs with your kids.

Saltwater Pool

Conventional swimming pools make a great addition to any Southern California backyard, but a saltwater pool will definitely make you feel more like you are at the beach.

Conventional pools can be converted to saltwater, but speak to an expert before taking on this project on your own.

While many pools can easily be converted, some are not good candidates for saltwater, depending on the materials used to manufacture the pool, such as the grout.

Saltwater pools are generally considered a more eco-friendly option and, while they are more expensive to install initially, you can experience savings over time, since you do not need to purchase the same chemicals for ongoing maintenance.

Pools filled with soothing saltwater are a growing trend in San Diego and the surrounding areas, so you should have no problem finding a professional to install your pool or assist you in converting your conventional pool.

Whichever type of pool you have, if you do not want sand getting in the water regularly, make sure you have a wide pool deck or patio between the pool and sandy areas of your yard.

Pond with a Beach

If you have an existing pond in your backyard, or are considering installing one, this is one water feature where you can allow the sand to come right up to the edge to create an inviting beach.

Ideally, you will want a gently sloping grade leading down to the water to create a comfortable space for laying out on the sand at the water’s edge.

Sand Volleyball Court

Beach volleyball is big in San Diego, but if you do not like the idea of showing off your skills on a public beach, you can create your own sand volleyball court as part of your backyard oasis.

Building a volleyball court in your backyard may seem like a simple, do-it-yourself project, but you may want to call in the pros to ensure proper drainage and safety.

If your court will be used frequently, it is important that the area is properly graded, that drainage is installed, that there is a safety zone around the court and that the appropriate type of sand is used.

If you simply plan to have a quick, casual game among friends every once in a while, you mostly need to make sure you have a good net and deep sand.

Outdoor Shower

An outdoor shower is a handy feature for folks with backyard beaches, as well as those who just have a conventional pool.

Rinsing off before heading into the house is particularly important when there is sand involved.

Plus, an outdoor shower will surely make your backyard feel more like a beach.

This is a project that you may be able to complete yourself, if you are the handy sort and you turn to handy guides like the one available at the DIY Network.

Whether you install this feature yourself or call in the pros, make sure you choose a slip-resistant surface for your outdoor shower floor, such as a small paving stone patio.

You can even include this feature in a corner of your existing patio to save money during your backyard transformation.

Boardwalk Walkways

Weathered logs or railroad ties are perfect for creating boardwalk-style walkways leading to seating areas, your fire pit or your volleyball court.

This is the type of project handy homeowners can accomplish in a weekend or two, but it is a lot of physical labor and does require proper grading for drainage and stability.

If your budget allows, hire professionals to help ensure a satisfactory end product if you plan to make your boardwalk longer than just a few weathered boards meant mostly for looks.

You can also use weathered logs or railroad ties to create steps leading over your dunes.

If you want to avoid the long-term maintenance needs of a wood boardwalk, you can also install walkways made from pavers.

Lifeguard Stand or Chair

Lifeguard stands dotting the landscape are a regular sight on beaches all along the California coast.

To bring authenticity to your private beach haven, build a lifeguard stand that can be used as a pool house, viewing deck, or storage room for pool toys and patio furniture.

A less expensive option that is better suited for smaller yards is a raised lifeguard chair, which will add the same look at a lower cost.

Palm Trees

There are many types of beaches in the world, and not all of them are lined with palm trees, but if you are looking for a more tropical atmosphere, palm trees are a must for your backyard beach.

Tiki Bar

A Tiki bar is the quintessential addition to a backyard beach, but any type of bar will do.

While an exotic, tropical look is a great way to create a beach-like atmosphere in your yard, it is more important that a larger addition, like a bar, complements the design of your existing patio or outdoor kitchen.

If you have a built-in barbecue, an outdoor kitchen or a patio, use similar materials to build your beach bar.

The edge of an existing patio is a great place to put your bar, since this will allow you to have a solid foundation under the bar, such as concrete or paving stones, while allowing your bar patrons to stand in the sand on the other side while they are being served.

If space allows, you can create a two-sided bar that serves both the patio and the beach in your backyard.

Backyard Beach Décor and Plants

To finish off your beach-themed backyard, you will need the right decorations and plants to complete the overall look.

If you have a favorite seaside resort or coastal retreat, now is the time to draw inspiration from that establishment or area as you choose the right décor to create the type of beach atmosphere you prefer.

Here are 12 plants and decorative items you should consider when putting the finishing touches on your beach landscaping:

1. Beach umbrellas
2. Tiki torches
3. Beach chairs
4. Landscape lighting to accentuate landscaping features
5. Old fishermen’s nets
6. Ice plant
7. Driftwood
8. Anchors and ropes
9. Shells and rocks
10. Beach daisies
11. Yellow lupines
12. Surfboards

Final Thoughts on Backyard Beach Landscape Design

Building a beach in your yard is not just a great way to make a coastal oasis right at home; using sand in place of a conventional lawn is an excellent way to conserve water and to save money on ongoing maintenance.

Including a beach area in your landscaping is also a great way to complement other water-conserving landscape options, such as rock gardens, Zen gardens and xeriscaping.

If you love building sand castles, sunbathing on the sand or sitting around a fire pit to stargaze, installing a private beach in your yard might be the right landscaping choice for you.

Photo credits (in order of appearance): stock.xchng, amalrik; stock.xchng, iprole; stock.xchng, tommco; stock.xchng, jjneau; stock.xchng, jjneau; stock.xchng, pale.

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Since a dormant lawn will return to health when weather conditions improve but a dead lawn will need to be removed and replaced, it is always best to confirm the current state of your lawn before taking any drastic (and expensive) measures.

Dormant Grass

When your grass goes dormant, it is conserving energy and water to stay alive. Instead of sending vital resources to developing lush, green blades of grass, your lawn is sending those resources to the roots and crowns to keep them alive during times of stress.

In many parts of the country, natural grass lawns go dormant during the winter when the temperatures drop, and then come back as the temperature rises in spring. However, here in Southern California, natural grass lawns usually thrive during the winter and go dormant during the hotter months of summer or during times of drought.

When a natural grass lawn goes dormant, it can generally stay in that state for up to about a month before it starts dying. Unfortunately, California’s summer heat usually lasts longer than a month, which means folks with natural grass have to significantly increase their lawn irrigation during the summer, or they may need to replace some or all of their grass once drought conditions improve or temperatures lower in fall.

Dead Grass

Dead grass usually looks the same as dormant grass, but it does not come back when the weather improves or when you take measures to revive it. If your grass is dead, you will need to reseed or replace the grass to once again enjoy a thriving, green lawn.

How to Tell the Difference Between Dormant Grass and Dead Grass

It can be difficult to tell the difference between dormant grass and dead grass, since both appear brown and lifeless.

The first thing to note is that grass lawns generally go completely dormant in a uniform manner; therefore, if your grass looks patchy or if you have brown spots among fields of green, then you likely have a different problem.

If your lawn is patchy or has spots that look dead, or if it looks like just one section of your lawn may be dormant, the first thing to check is your irrigation system. It is possible for just one section of grass to go dormant if that section is not receiving water when the rest of the lawn is being irrigated. And, of course, it is also possible for your grass to die in sections due to lack of water.

If your irrigation system is functioning properly, then your problem is probably not dormancy. This means that you will need to look into other possible causes, such as disease, pests or your pets frequenting those areas for bathroom activities.

If your lawn is not patchy and is uniformly brown, then you will need to take additional steps to determine whether it is dormant or dead.

The most common way to differentiate between dead grass and dormant grass is to simply increase irrigation for a few days. If your lawn is dormant, it should begin to turn green again. If it stays brown, it is probably dead. However, there are some instances, such as extreme heat or drought, in which a few days of extra water will not be enough to bring back your lawn. Therefore, even if you think your lawn is dead, it is generally best to wait for better weather conditions so that you can try the extra irrigation test again and see if it works.

Alternatively, if you live in an area where grass goes dormant in winter, you may need to wait until the temperature rises in spring to confirm whether you have dormant grass vs dead grass. If it is just dormant, then it will naturally begin to come back in the spring.

Another test you can use to determine if you have dormant grass or dead grass is to pull some grass out. Dead grass comes out easily, while dormant grass will have some resistance and feel more like pulling out healthy grass.

Caring for Dormant Grass

Whether your lawn naturally goes dormant in winter or you encourage it to go dormant during the summer to conserve water, it will still require care. While you will not have to mow it, aerate it or spend as much time watering it, a natural grass lawn requires regular maintenance when it is dormant just like it does when it is thriving.

Your primary tasks when caring for a dormant lawn is to reduce the risk of damage by limiting traffic, continue to pull weeds so that they are not using water and nutrients your grass needs to survive, and water it just often enough so that it does not die.

You do not want to fertilize your lawn during this time and you should avoid herbicides for weed control while your grass is dormant.

How to Revive Dormant Grass

Revive dormant grass by limiting traffic, reseeding or replacing patches that do not come back, and limiting traffic by keeping kids, pets and guests off of the lawn.

It is best to not mow your lawn and to allow the longer grass blades to reduce loss of moisture through evaporation. Once it begins to come back, it is okay to mow it at a high setting, such as about 3.5 inches. While it may be tempting to chop off the brown blade tops to get down to the green, do not do this. Allow the new blades to grow up through the brown and keep mowing to a minimum so that you do not further stress your lawn.

How to Enjoy a Green Lawn in Any Season and During Drought Conditions

Whether your grass is dead or dormant, it is still brown. It still has an unappealing look and feel, no one is going to want to hang out on it, and it is certainly not doing anything for your home’s curb appeal. Plus, when a natural grass lawn goes dormant, you still must take care of it even when it is ugly and taking away from your outdoor living areas.

In Southern California, we can enjoy our outdoor living spaces any time of the year, so why would we choose landscaping features that render large sections of our yards unusable for months at a time?

If you would like to have a lush, green lawn that is just as inviting and just as attractive in August as it is in May, it is time to replace your lawn with low-maintenance artificial turf that looks, feels and functions like natural grass. No matter how bad the drought conditions may be or how long the thermometer stays past 100 degrees, synthetic grass always stays green.

If you are ready to make the switch and start spending more time enjoying your lawn than maintaining it, give us a call and speak to one of our design consultants or request a quote today.

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Poolscaping Considerations

When landscaping a pool area, four major elements should be top of mind: safety, privacy, function, and aesthetics.

Safety —

If you have small kids and/or pets, or entertain often, safety will be of prime importance. This means you’ll want to consider fencing, slip-resistant surfaces, and adequate lighting.

Privacy —

If neighbors can peek into your yard and you’d rather they not, fences can again take center stage in your pool’s landscaping. Other options include vines, plants, and shade structures.

Function —

Easy entry to your pool is a must in most cases, so overdoing boulders and other typically potential stumbling areas may be ill advised. Good visibility is also a key concern, and will inform where you place landscape and pool lighting.

Aesthetics —

The sky’s the limit here, depending on your personal taste and preference. Natural, tropical, modern – they’re all looks on the table that can be incorporated into your poolscape. Also, keep in mind that well designed pool landscaping tends to increase your home’s resale value.

Poolscaping Planning

Before you start landscaping, you’ll probably give a lot of thought to the look you want to achieve and how your space will be used. For instance, do you want a classic landscape design or a minimalist one? As previously mentioned, different pool landscaping themes include natural, tropical, and modern, and homeowners typically try to extend the vibe of a home to the pool area. This means that if you have a traditional home, an overly designed and modern pool landscape may not be for you. Consider the materials and colors used in your home and apply them to your poolscape.

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

— How will I primarily use the pool? Will it be for exercise, entertainment or visual enjoyment?

— What impression do I want my pool to make? Do I want it to be a major part of my home’s design or viewed as a fun add-on?

— Where is my pool located? Is it right outside my door or is it a bit removed from the center of the home?

— Is my pool accessible in all seasons?

— What kind of storage will I need? Do I need to add a shed or other option for pool games and toys and pool equipment?

— How do people access my pool right now? Do I need to make access more convenient?

— Do I prefer a more formal or informal setting?

— What colors do I like?

— How many hours a week can I devote to maintenance?

— What’s my budget?

Once you have some answers, it’s a great idea to do a site analysis and draw (or have a pro do it for you) your property elements to scale on a piece of paper. Note where your pool is in relation to your home, any existing landscape features, and any surrounding buildings/structures. Other elements to detail include locations of electrical sources, utility lines, water spigots, and air conditioner units.

All this detailing will help you decide what elements you can reasonably infuse into your landscape for maximum appearance and efficiency.

Poolscaping Elements

Once you decide the best combination of form and function, and the overall look you’re going for, you’re ready to select some landscaping components.

Fencing —

Fencing around pools is typically adopted when homeowners have small children. Privacy is another reason to add a fence, which you can jazz up with training vines for a softer look. The type of fence you choose depends on your aesthetic preference, but options include aluminum, wood, and PVC, which can be molded into a variety of looks. Take into consideration whether or not you have a salt water or chlorine pool before adding a fence, because the salt can corrode some fencing materials. Many inground pool designs with fences tend to feature black ornamental aluminum fences because they have a simple look and require little maintenance.

Lighting —

Lighting provides beauty and safety around pools. It’s advisable to use a combination of path lights, tree uplights, spotlights and down lights. String patio lights can be added to trees and other areas for extra glow. If you are going for a tropical design, which is popular in Southern California, tiki torches is another cool add-on.

For energy efficiency, low-voltage LED systems can be used for landscape lighting to light stairs or paths and fiber-optic lighting lights areas but don’t transmit electricity. Solar lights are also easy to maintain and will remain lit into the evening around the pool.

Other lighting options can include a fireplace or fire pit for entertaining.

Plants —

Incorporating plants into your pool’s landscape design can be a sticky wicket. For one, you want to ensure you don’t select plants or trees that shed leaves, seeds, needles or other debris that can be swept into your pool. Secondly, fruit trees and other bee-attracting plants can be a nuisance to swimmers. You also want to know what types of shrubs, flowers and trees do best in your region and climate. Tropical plants do well here in San Diego, and blend with the existing natural landscape, but this won’t be the case on the East Coast.

When choosing plants for your pool landscape design, find out what USDA hardiness zone you live in, write down the plants and trees that thrive in your zone, and choose those that integrate with your desired look and need.

If you already have a lot of trees on the property or face a tree-lined area or other lush backdrop, adding a lot of plants around your pool may not be necessary.

In any case, low-maintenance, water-wise plants are best.

Evergreen plants are typically the most recommended for pool landscaping before they stay green year round and don’t shed a lot of leaves that could get into your pool and pool filter. If you go for evergreen trees, they’re also great for privacy. Low-growing evergreen shrubs and dense ground covers such as juniper and dwarf nandina provide nice barriers and filters between the yard and pool and prevent leaves, mulch, and other debris from blowing onto the patio and into the pool.

Flowering annuals round out pool landscape designs to give a shot of color and look nice in containers from terra cotta to metal that fit the overall landscape theme. A good rule of thumb is to plant about 70% evergreen plants and fill in the remaining areas with 30% annuals like verbena and marigolds.

Succulents are great for pool landscaping, too, and are wonderful drought-resistant plants. Consider agave attenuata, sedum, and plumeria.

For an extra decorative touch, vines are worthy choices to weave over fences and through trellises. Try jasmine, trumpet vine, and bougainvillea.

Finally, popular tropical plant choices include palm trees, birds of paradise, and bromeliads.

Decks/Patios —

Patios and decks can feature beauty and safety for swimming pool areas. Material options include stamped concrete, limestone, brick, tile, and pavers. Consider non-slip surfaces to protect kid injuries if your pool is used by children. Keep pool access in mind, too. If the cement around your inground pool borders your lawn, and swimmers have to trek through grass to get to the pool. they’ll take debris with them into the pool. Stepping stones and walkways leading to the pool will eliminate that situation to a large extent and provide a natural path to your pool. Landscape borders with polished river rocks to match the decor of your pool area. Besides blending well with waterscapes, river rocks are smooth and rounded enough that they won’t hurt bare feet.

Shade Structures —

Many pool owners add gazebos, arbors, pergolas, and other shade structures to pool areas to tie swimmers places to cool off before heading back into the pool. Pool houses and cabanas are also popular options and give guests a place to relax when they’re not in the pool.

Boulders —

Boulders should be in context to your pool’s design. If you’re not going for a natural look, boulders will seem out of place. If you do use boulders, it’s best to group them around the pool and include them amidst lush landscaping otherwise they will look too stark against your pool.

Your Turn…

Swimming pool landscaping is a definite extension of your home’s design and so should blend well with your existing aesthetic. Plus, the pool’s role as an entertainment mecca, relaxation spot, and kid play zone, means that how you choose to landscape impacts the enjoyment of your pool. Comfort, convenience, and fun are all part of the decision process, so choose wisely! Get a better idea of how much your landscape project will cost with our landscape design costs guide. 

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Homeowners who choose artificial grass are often drawn to the way it consistently looks like a lush, green, perfect lawn with very little effort. This clean look enhances the visual appeal of your yard and ensures that your lawn will complement a wide variety of landscaping styles. For those who appreciate a clean look, a clearly defined edge is a must, which is one reason artificial grass installations almost always include some type of edging. While this is not necessarily required, adding curbing or landscape edging is certainly recommended for a finished, clean look.

Synthetic turf can be easily installed to abut existing hardscapes, such as a driveway, paving stone patio or brick walkway. It can also be edged with a variety of natural or manufactured border materials or installed with no border at all. However, if you are installing your artificial grass lawn as a do-it-yourself project, you may appreciate having a border to help cover any uneven edges.

How to Edge Artificial Grass: 7 Options

1. Curbing: Landscape curbing is a popular hardscape option for lawn edging. Concrete and stamped concrete are common choices. This border option can be quite attractive, but the permanency of this choice should be considered prior to installation. Be sure that you will not want to redesign your lawn or overall landscaping for many years before opting for concrete curbing.

2. Paving Stones: Paving stones are a durable, attractive option that can be used to create a narrow border or a full patio at the edge of your lawn. Paving stone hardscapes and artificial grass lawns go together very well to form balanced, cohesive landscapes that are low maintenance and require little water. This makes this combination of features particularly appealing for those interested in drought-tolerant landscaping that does not require sacrificing style or visual appeal.

3. Bendable Borders: Bendable landscaping borders are an affordable, simple solution that can be easily acquired at home improvement stores, garden centers or online. This is the type of border material that almost anyone can install, which makes it a convenient option for do-it-yourselfers. Bendable landscape edging is most often made from plastics or metal and is generally a durable option you can expect to last for several years.

4. Logs or Wood: Logs, lumber and other forms of timber are border options that are best used around manufactured lawns with straight edges. However, there are some options that have small sections of cut logs that can be pushed into the ground. These sections, which generally look a bit like groupings of tiny stumps, offer a more flexible option that can be used around curved lawns.

5. Railroad Ties: Railroad ties have long been a popular choice for landscaping borders and are a versatile option that can be paired with a variety of other landscaping features and hardscapes, such as paving stones or gravel. They can be cut to fit many applications and this is a great way to include repurposed materials in your landscape design. If you need to build up your lawn area before installing artificial grass, railroad ties can provide a sturdy border for this.

6. Gravel: Gravel is, of course, not a solid border, but it can be used around the edge of a lawn as a complementary ground cover. To make ongoing yard maintenance easier, you may want to put a bendable border or other type of edging between your lawn and the gravel simply to help keep the gravel off of your lawn, but this is not necessary.

7. Wood Chips or Bark: Like gravel, wood chips or bark can be used around the edge of your lawn and gives a great contrast of color while maintaining a natural look. Again, using a solid form of edging between your grass and wood chips will make life easier by helping to keep the wood chips or bark off of your lawn.

Artificial Grass: Further Reading

• 6 Artificial Grass Frequently Asked Questions
• 10 Places Homeowners Use Artificial Grass & Why
• 9 Reasons Southern California Homeowners Are Installing Artificial Grass
• Artificial Grass Cost: Fake Turf Installation Prices Guide {PRO Tips}
• Artificial Grass Maintenance: How to Clean Artificial Grass Guide

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Our backyards are the best place to spend time with the family, relax, or entertain guests. If you have a boring or sloped backyard, you may be looking to spruce up the landscaping. We put together 50 backyard landscaping ideas to help you decide which outdoor elements will work best for your outdoor living space. Use the filters below to browse through the different ideas.

Instructions: Select the filters below to browse through the different backyard landscaping elements. To view the full image, click on the image itself.

This landscape combines multiple hardscape options such as pavers, a fireplace, and a gazebo. Contrasted with a pool, waterfall, and splash pad, these water features create an inviting ambiance.

This tranquil backyard pool is surrounded by a sophisticated deck of interlocking pavers. The stone is also the setting for a spa and a sweeping waterslide.

This welcoming pool area matches a patio laid with elegant paving stones and hewn stone walls leading up to a dark wood decking, but the eye catching element is the amazing waterfall that brings the beautiful setting together.

The theater style seating wall mixed with the circular pavers and firepit are great for entertaining large parties. The seat wall is a great way to transform a retaining wall into a usable area.

Tastefully matching a pool patio area with a putting green is a lovely way to incorporate all of the family's favorite activities into one backyard.

A water feature, in this case a small pond, can add serenity to your outdoor space, especially when it sits near a nicely framed gazebo

The colors of the red pavers and flowers help this artisan backyard landscape stand out. Grouped with a rustic gazebo, you have a timeless entertainment space.

Level up your backyard landscape with an outdoor kitchen. Surrounded with gorgeous hardscape features, you will surely impress your guests.

Perfectly punctuated with pavers, clean beauty gives way here to a lovely water feature. The pond even has a calming waterfall for contemplative days in the backyard.

Even with modern paving stones, like the ones here, it is possible to match with a rustic water feature and still get a consistent outdoor atmosphere that is at once elegant and based in nature.

Positioning rough-hewn stone properly in this backyard water feature creates a lovely waterfall that flows serenely into a larger pool.

This tranquil pool like this one is an aquascaping element that makes a backyard feel cooler, calmer and more attuned to the natural environment.

In this rustic backyard garden, a pond crafted of hewn stones gives off a feeling of quotidian grace. The addition of a trickling waterfall is a relaxing bonus for the eyes and ears.

A fireplace and angled roof structure adds year-round usefulness to this outdoor patio, so it is possible to entertain or enjoy a romantic late night outside, even in winter.

This is a lovely setting to enjoy the outdoors with a paving stone patio and full fireplace on the deck. These wooden benches are a perfect place to gaze up at the stars with guests.

This pebbled pathway is a wonderful way to welcome guests to a backyard hideaway under a series of pergolas surrounded by lovely outdoor fauna.

This landscape combines natural colors of the home and pergola with large pavers and pebbles for a natural aesthetic.

The winding stone walkway that leads to this patio is a whimsical and aesthetically pleasing way to let guests know to expect a hospitable atmosphere of friendship.

This purposefully ivy-overgrown trellis makes for a surprise hideaway in a garden set with elegant cobblestone pavers.

A gorgeous modern pergola is the perfect accent for sophisticated smooth lines of smooth stone on a patio. This seems like a wonderful place to enjoy a sunset after a long day.

Perfect for warming up after a day on the water, the in-ground fire pit and flagstone pavers mesh well in this lakeside backyard.

This backyard setup lets you enjoy s'mores in style. Smooth lines and a fire pit fire strip keeps things safe and clean while giving the yard warmth. Perfect for an outdoor Fall cocktail party.

The abundance of trees and rock stream make this backyard design feel secluded. A nice hidden area for catching up with loved ones by the fireplace.

An outdoor fireplace turns even a chilly night into a time to enjoy outdoor space. Imagine sitting by the fire and snuggling on crisp evenings.

Adding a putting green to the backyard is aesthetically pleasing and great for anyone trying to lower their handicap on the course.

Pavers and a putting green are a great way to transform any backyard into an eventful entertaining space. Not only is the putting green great for practicing but for pets and kids to play on.

Artificial grass and a loose rock walkway create a unique landscape, especially with an Easter Island moai statue. This is a water smart landscape with beautiful drought tolerant plants throughout.

The putting green with multiple putting cups and surrounding palm trees create a relaxing vacation scene.

A garden half-wall of stone creates a leveling effect that makes the backyard landscape feel fuller and more verdant.

Neatly set flower beds, leveled with arching walls, creates a sweeping beauty that cascades down onto a manicured lawn.

A well-appointed tiki bar and matching pavers and firepit turn this backyard landscape into a paradise.

This beautifully arranged gas fire pit, surrounded neatly with interlocking pavers, has an advantage of never needing kindling or lighter fluid to get going, and it is so much cleaner than a regular wood burning counterpart.

Multiple levels are a great way to utilize space in some backyard landscapes. Couple this with a pool and patio fire pit for a place to wind down.

A fireplace adds comfort and style to a well-appointed paver laid back patio. This one made of rough hewn stone lends a rustic feel to the backyard landscape.

This elegant backyard set up includes a full fireplace for nights when you want to stay toasty on your patio. The faux gaslights give a classic victorian feeling to it all.

This ultra-modern patio is a part of the house itself, with a vaulted ceiling and clean lines leading to a balanced stone fireplace. It looks like the ideal spot for a warm drink on a cold night.

This outdoor space, with its beadboard ceilings, feels like a real part of the home, but walls that open out into nature to allow the comforts of inside in the outdoors. The added fireplace means that that outdoor setting never gets too chilly to enjoy.

The drought tolerant design is brought to life with artificial grass and putting green. Utilize your backyard lawn space for practicing putts and family time.

Backyard putting greens are a great way to enjoy the outdoors in the comfort of your home. No matter the size of your backyard, they can be installed in any size or shape desired.

If you are into a Southwestern style backyard, incorporating red flagstone pavers with loose rocks and drought tolerant plants will do the trick.

Pavers can be installed in different ways, as depicted here with tumbled pebbles in between.

Paving stones and nicely set landscaping can include plants and shrubs rather than grass to surround a patio with a verdant yard atmosphere without the hassle of mowing.

A steep slope can be transformed into a staircase with multiple garden beds, providing a relaxing stroll in your backyard.

The rustic feel of overgrown flagstones can be a romantic treat, like in this casually quaint backyard setting.

Pavers don't have to be interlocked together entirely. Integrate grass into your backyard walkways with pavers installed in sections.

Grass pavers are a great addition to any backyard landscape. They allow rain to filter into the soil and look beautiful next to natural features

For a contemporary landscape, combine smooth concrete with wood and even a shade sail.

Replacing your grass with drought resistant plants is a great way to liven up your landscaping. They add a raised plant bed here for more levels and a better aesthetic feel.

Elegantly lined concrete slabs matched with a gravel path give a clean and beautiful sense of balance to this backyard landscape which is surrounded by a nicely stained wooden fence.

Introduce contrasting natural elements into your landscape with a fountain and firepit. Also, hillsides are a great way to show off different colors of vegetation.

If you are interested in working with a professional landscape architect and designer, we can help! We service the city of San Diego, CA and can transform your backyard into the outdoor living space you have always dreamed of.

The post Backyard Landscaping Ideas appeared first on INSTALL-IT-DIRECT.

Of course, most exterior water usage at private homes goes towards watering natural grass lawns; therefore, the most important first step for anyone who still has natural grass is to reduce the size of their lawn or replace it with low-water alternatives. This, alone, will significantly reduce water waste and will help these homeowners save money on their water bills.

Aside from reducing or replacing natural grass lawns, homeowners can also reduce water waste by landscaping with native plants or non-natives that originate in similar climates and can thrive in Southern California with minimal irrigation and care. We can use drought-tolerant ornamental options for landscaping borders and flowerbeds, while also choosing low-water options for growing in our food gardens or herb gardens. We can also use a combination of both to create edible landscaping that adds texture and color to our outdoor living areas while also providing herbs for culinary or medicinal purposes.

For those of us who like to grow herbs for use in cooking, crafts, or home remedies, we can look to low-maintenance, drought-tolerant herbs to grow in containers, raised beds, or in the ground. It is most obvious to look to native herbs when selecting varieties for your garden, but there are also many herbs that are not native to Southern California but that are native to a similar client in Mediterranean countries. This means that we can add these herbs to our list of options that will thrive here with minimal water and care. Oregano and thyme are two good examples of herbs that are not native to Southern California but can be grown as natives here.

Uses for Drought-Tolerant Herbs

Herbs are easy to grow in containers, raised garden beds, raised herb gardens, or in the ground. This makes them an easy way to add color, texture, and visual appeal to your food garden, landscaping, or outdoor living areas.

You can grow herbs in containers to add color and texture to a paving stone patio. Herbs can be grown around your artificial grass lawn as a living, water-saving border. They can also be grown along walkways or driveways or as ground covers in large areas where you want to increase visual appeal without significantly increasing the area’s water needs.

Aside from enhancing the look of your yard and outdoor living areas, growing herbs provides you with aromatic ingredients for use in and around your home. Here are just a handful of the ways you can use drought-tolerant herbs.

• Herbs can be used for flavoring soups, stews, sauces, side dishes, and main courses.
• Herbs can be used to make a variety of cocktails and mocktails.
• Fresh herbs can be used to flavor sparkling or still water.
• Dried or fresh herbs can be used to make herbal teas.
• Herbs can be used to make household cleaning products and room sprays.
• Herbs can be used to make potpourri, sachets, eye pillows, or other craft and self-care products.
• Herbs can be used for their medicinal qualities to make natural home remedies.
• Fresh or dried herbs can be used to make home décor, such as wreaths or centerpieces.
• Dried herbs can be used to create custom flavoring blends.
• Herbs can be used to flavor honey, oil, or vinegar.

It is important to remember that herbs grown for culinary or medicinal uses should be grown organically with no chemical fertilizers or pesticides. If you are planning on making home remedies with your herbs, it is important to research each herb beforehand to learn about possible side effects, interactions, and usages that are recommended or not recommended.

7 Drought-Tolerant Herbs for Southern California Landscaping

1. Lavender

Lavender is commonly found in Southern California gardens and is most often grown for its beautiful blooms, ability to thrive with minimal care, and drought resistance. This hardy, shrubby herb is often grown along walkways or driveways to add color and a softer texture along gravel, concrete, or paving stone hardscapes.

Lavender is also popular for home gardens because of its versatility. This includes culinary purposes, such as flavoring dishes or making herbal teas. It can also be used in an array of crafts and self-care products, such as eye pillows, bath salts, aromatic sachets, and floral arrangements.

You may want to consider planting it near your food garden, since it attracts pollinators to your yard. You can also use it to repel mosquitoes and flies.

2. Sage

Sage varieties are common in Southern California landscaping and are usually chosen for their ability to add silvery-green foliage and colorful blooms while requiring minimal care and irrigation. Mexican sage is one of the most common varieties found here, but there are also several types of culinary sages grown in containers, as border plants, or in herb gardens.

Culinary sages can be used to flavor oils, butter, marinades, meat dishes, and pastas. It can also be used to make sage bundles for smudging and for crafting home remedies. Traditionally, sages have been used in folk remedies to treat heartburn, depression, dementia and memory loss, and digestive issues.

Sages are usually cooked or dried for later use; it is not common to eat raw sage leaves. Sprigs of sage can be tossed into the fire in your fire pit or patio fireplace to help keep mosquitos and other insects away from your guests.

3. Rosemary

Rosemary is well known for its culinary and medicinal qualities, but it is most often grown in Southern California as a landscaping plant. This is an ideal choice for those looking for an option that they can use as a natural or well-groomed hedge. It can be used as a privacy screen, grown in a container, or used for topiary. You may want to consider growing it as a low hedge around your vegetable garden to help keep slugs and snails away.

You can toss sprigs on the fire in your fire feature to help keep mosquitos away or harvest the rosemary to craft homemade mosquito-repellent spray. Rosemary also has quite a reputation in the kitchen and can be used to flavor breads, cookies, meat dishes, soups, stews, potatoes, other vegetable dishes, and cooking oils.

4. Thyme

Varieties of thyme can be placed in two basic categories: low-growing ground covers and taller varieties used for culinary purposes. The drought-tolerant, low-growing ground cover varieties spread out across an area forming a mat and can be walked on. This makes them a good choice for growing in turfstones, around stepping stones in walkways, or bordering paving stone patios and paths.

If you are looking for a living ground cover, thyme might be a good choice, since it will give you the look you want without the excessive irrigation requirements of other living options.

If you want to grow thyme in your container garden or herb garden for culinary use, choose a taller variety specifically intended for flavoring beans, potatoes, vegetable dishes, soups, stews, casseroles, and meat dishes.

Thyme is another herb that deters mosquitos, but the leaves need to be bruised a little to release the repellent. Therefore, if you want to use thyme as a mosquito deterrent, you might want to consider using it as a ground cover that will be walked on to bruise the leaves.

5. Feverfew

Historically, feverfew has been best known for its medicinal uses. Over the ages, this popular herb has been used in home remedies to treat a wide range of ailments, including toothaches, headaches, allergies, arthritis, fever, anemia, and the common cold. It is best known as a natural remedy for headaches and migraines.

It can be used to craft homemade insect repellent, brewed into an herbal tea, made into a tincture, or dried and placed in capsules for easier consumption. It can also be made into an herb butter to be used when cooking.

For landscaping purposes, feverfew has delicate, white flowers that look like miniature daisies, which make them a great choice for use as an ornamental plant in a drought-tolerant garden.

6. Echinacea

Echinacea is best known for its use in herbal remedies to treat and prevent the flu and the common cold. You will find it in many over-the-counter concoctions at your local drugstore, and it is most often available in capsules, extracts, tinctures, and teas. You can grow your own Echinacea to dry and use in teas or home remedies, or you can use this member of the daisy family as an ornamental plant in your drought-tolerant landscaping.

It is most common to see pink flowers, but you can also find Echinacea plants that bloom in white, orange, or red if that better suits your landscaping design.

7. Oregano

Oregano is commonly found in backyard herb gardens and is a versatile, easy-to-grow plant that can be used for ornamental, culinary, or medicinal purposes. Most folks grow oregano along with basil for flavoring pasta dishes, soups, and sauces. You can use it fresh or dried and can grow it in the ground, in raised garden beds, or in a container.

As an ornamental addition to your garden, it can be used in borders or containers around outdoor living areas to add color and deter pests.

Traditionally, oregano has been used in folk medicine to create treatments for sore muscles, blood sugar regulation, relieving inflammation, and improving gut health.

Tips for Growing Drought-Tolerant Herbs

Here are five tips for helping your drought-tolerant herbs thrive in Southern California:

1. Install a Drip System.

Drip irrigation is the most efficient way to water plants without losing excessive water to wind or evaporation. It achieves this by delivering the water directly to the base of the plant. This will help you save even more water while making sure your plants receive the irrigation they need.

2. Water Early or Late in the Day.

To avoid evaporation and conserve water, it is best to water your food plants and landscaping either early in the morning or later in the evening. If you are using an automatic irrigation system, you can set it to water in the early hours of the morning. If you water by hand, do your watering soon after you get up or in the early or late evening.

3. Layer on the Mulch.

A good layer of mulch helps soil retain moisture, which will help your plants thrive with less irrigation. Mulch also helps maintain soil temperature and limit weed growth. As it breaks down, natural mulches will also add nutrients to the soil.

4. Remember that Growing in Containers is Different.

Plants growing in containers may need more or less water, depending on the type of container. Glazed pots hold water well, which generally calls for less frequent watering. Terra cotta pots and other unglazed planters generally dry out faster and may need a bit more water.

5. Amend Your Soil.

Drought-tolerant herbs generally prefer well-draining soil, which is pretty much the opposite of the clay soil found in much of the San Diego area and in Southern California. If your soil is particularly dense, you may need to amend it with compost or mulch to improve drainage.

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