Landscaping consists of two key activities: maintenance and planting. Both of these are subject to seasons and the weather, which is sometimes unseasonal. While keeping an eye on how the sun moves around your yard during the day, start a list of landscaping ideas you like and don’t like, as well as what maintenance or cleaning up needs to be done right away.

Landscaping Ideas for New Homeowners

Clean up

Look for diseased and dying trees and shrubs as they will need to be removed. Check for anything like broken limbs about to fall and debris in flower beds. Also, look for signs of pests and infestations. Check for overhanging branches brushing against your home and gutters, as well as those that are crossing your property boundary lines. Look for dying roots and ways the roots of big trees are impacting the driveway, pathways, and sidewalks.

Be neighborly

The neighbors will be a fountain of information about weather patterns, sun movement, plants that work well, and where to plant them. They will also be able to advise you about boundary lines. Check with the neighbors to examine if any of your or their trees and shrubs are encroaching. Make friends with the local nursery owner and tap into their local expertise for trendy landscaping ideas.

Add and Subtract

Your landscaping ideas may only require the addition of plants and color. In other cases, it might need a complete garden design makeover. If so, treat the outdoor space as a blank canvas. Plan how you want it to look and how you will achieve that look when the budget allows. It is important to have a master design in mind instead of piecemeal, patchwork solutions. Everything we need should be built towards a common vision with the goal of creating a soothing and relaxing environment that is easy on the eye. Figure out where to put a fire pit, outdoor dining area, hot tub, and swimming pool if those are on your wish list.

Ideas

Opt for more privacy and seclusion by planting trees and taller shrubs. Add instant value to your new home by adding curb appeal to your front yard landscaping. This can be done by positioning rocks, paving stones, and low maintenance decorative grasses, interspersed with some color. Create a shaded area by planting a tall and fully grown tree. Spruce up the wash-line area with low-maintenance plants in large pots.

In larger gardens with lots of shrubs and trees, create pathways by placing pavers casually to give the impression that the path leads somewhere mysterious. Depending on if there is a patio, add a deck. Even in a small backyard, a deck is a great place for a barbecue. An overhanging deck umbrella is also an attractive accessory. Explore the options for a treehouse, even if it is only a few feet off the ground.

Prioritize

Money doesn’t grow on trees, so start with safety first. Discover landscaping ideas ideal for your home, set a budget, and stick to it. Unless you have a money tree.

Additional Reading: Hot Backyard Design Ideas to Try Now (HGTV)

Arbor Hills Landscaping Company Omaha | Best Landscaping Company in Omaha, NE

Arbor Hills Trees & Landscaping Services can provide you with everything from detailed maintenance programs to unique plant production, and other services in between. That means we build water features, walls, patios, irrigation, walkways, outdoor kitchens, lighting, and anything else you can help us dream up. Our professionally trained staff can build the landscape of your dreams and keep you from breaking any Home Landscaping Rules.

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Fire Pit Designs Landscaping Services

Imagine the ambiance created in your backyard landscape by a custom fire pit. In fact, nothing is more inviting on a cool spring night or for fall and winter gatherings of family and friends. A fire pit may be used to provide warmth during outdoor entertaining, but also as a heat source for outdoor cooking or simply roasting marshmallows. Our trained custom fire pit installers are experts in turning your vision into reality. More…

Outdoor Living Landscaping Services

Unlimited Outdoor Kitchen offers a professional outdoor kitchen, outdoor fireplace, and outdoor living room design, building, and installation services with FREE ESTIMATES. More…

Retaining Walls Landscaping Services

Enhance the beauty of your landscape with a retaining wall that is customized to coordinate with your home’s exterior. At Arbor Hills, our retaining wall designer will create a functional retaining wall that is aesthetically pleasing for your personal taste, and within your target budget. With the many materials available today, the retaining wall project you’ve been considering is just a phone call away! More…

Stamped and Colored Concrete

It is time to upgrade or replace some of the hardscape features surrounding your home? Stamped and colored concrete is a beautiful and affordable material. It enhances the color and texture featured on your home’s exterior. Stamped concrete in textures from modern to rustic is available to coordinate with your home’s existing design features. Colored concrete can be blended to match or enhance your home’s exterior color scheme. A designer from Arbor Hills will consider all these existing features at your site visit and when designing your project. More…

Patio Pavers Landscaping Services

Concrete pavers are a great way to improve your landscape and garden. In fact, they are super strong and lend themselves to many hardscaping projects. They rarely crack but if they do, each piece is easily replaceable. More…

Landscape Lighting Designs

Outdoor lighting can be nearly as important to the overall look and feel of your home as the landscaping itself. So you shouldn’t short-change yourself by skimping on quality lighting products. We are a full-service landscape and waterscape company that can solve all of your residential and commercial lighting needs anywhere in Omaha and the surrounding areas. More…

Water Feature Landscaping Designs

Imagine the sight and sound of bubbling water as you relax in your outdoor sanctuary. A water feature can give just the right ambiance to your outdoor retreat. Or, if you are looking for a water feature with traffic-slowing curb appeal, a designer from Arbor Hills will help you choose the water feature that best enhances your home. More…

Sod Installation Services

Whether you have just built your home, cleared agricultural land for your personal use or simply want to improve the look of your existing yard, having sod installed is a fast way to create the lush, green carpet of grass you want. It offers instant satisfaction rather than the weeks of waiting and anticipating whether or not your grass seed is going to grow. Plus, using sod offers a host of other benefits. More…

Mulch & Rock Landscaping Services

The concept, to design, to delivery and installation, we have more than 20 years of experience in the landscaping industry in Omaha and surrounding areas. Our services include delivery, full installation, and clean-up of mulch and rock around your beds, trees, and more. More…

Plants & Shrubs Landscaping

Plants and shrubs are the backbone of your landscape, therefore they should be the first things you plant. Proper selection will enhance a home’s appearance and increase property value while reflecting the homeowner’s style and personality. More…

Tree Nursery

Let our trained nursery professionals assist you in selecting the perfect tree or shrub to complete your landscape. We carry a selection that is unmatched in Omaha and the surrounding areas and are willing and eager to explain our favorites. Improved varieties are introduced each year and we always strive to carry the best and newest – varieties more resistant to disease, shade trees better able to withstand storm damage and ornamentals in unique colors, shapes, and sizes you have to see to believe. More…