- Hardscape refers to inanimate objects used in landscaping. Hardscape can be rocks, borders, stone walls, terraces, sidewalks or pathways. Decking, porches or patios as well as the furniture used on these structures can also be considered hardscape. To unify hardscape to the overall landscape design, always coordinate color as much as possible. Rocks should be uniform in color, planters should match lawn furniture and accent pieces. Adding furniture or planters is one of the easiest and fastest landscaping options open to homeowners. For instant impact, purchase ready-made planters from the nursery that contain vibrant and colorful plants.
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A quick and relatively easy hardscape project involves edging your gardens with landscape brick. Dig a trench along the edge of your garden and create a level surface. Place bricks on end, at an angle or recessed into the ground so just the top portion is visible. Landscape bricking fits together like pieces of a puzzle. The only hard part of this easy landscaping addition is digging the trench.
Planters create an instant border along a walkway or deck edge with minimal work. Fill these large containers with flowering annuals or ornamental grasses for a more sedate look. Purchase a number of plants and frame the base of your deck steps with a planter on each side. This easy update changes the whole look of a patio or deck, bringing the garden right close to home. - Softscape includes all the living things in your property. Plants, trees and shrubs all fall into this category. Easy landscaping with softscapes involves purchasing similar plants to use repeatedly throughout your gardens. This makes decision making really quick and simple. You create a sense of unity to the landscape and connect all the various pieces together by using similar plants and shrubs.
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Shrubs come in such a wide variety of colors, shapes and sizes that you can hide the eyesore dirt pile under your deck with an hour's worth of effort planting a few hardy shrubs. Shrubs can be the anchor plant for a garden or the main event standing all alone in the center of the yard. Plants cost a lot of money. One of the easiest home improvements involves prepping the soil for planting. Creating a mixture of compost and peat moss to work into the top foot of soil will help your plants thrive for many years.
Bunch flowers together to save planting time and create pockets of color throughout your gardens. Choose ground covers and slow growing perennials to cut down on maintenance. Give your gardens a tailored appearance by edging around the border areas with a flat shovel. Dig an angled trench around the perimeter of the garden. Remove the soil and blend the mulch from the upper part of the garden down into the trench.
