Spring is almost upon us in the U.S. and people all over are beginning to conjure some great landscaping ideas for their homes this year. Whether you are just tired of your existing landscape or are looking to add some spice to what you already have, there are many great ideas out there. Here are three of my favorite landscaping ideas to consider as we roll into the spring.
Using Black Mulch to Define Existing Landscape
While some landscaping ideas are more complex than others, mulching existing landscape can be quite simple and will add that extra flare to help make your home stand out. There are many types of mulch you can use, but a favorite is black hardwood mulch. The reason this is so sought after is because it’s dark color contrasts that of bright flowers and bushes and hardwood mulch will last many seasons.
Of course, over the span of a few years, your mulch will fade to a gray color, but there are cheap and easy ways to fix this! There are multiple natural, charcoal-based products that you can apply to renew that deep dark color that defines your property.
Where Do You Buy Black Mulch?
The idea of adding black mulch to your landscape is intriguing, but obviously you have some questions (if you have never done this before, of course). You can purchase black mulch at any of the large hardware stores (Lowes / Home Depot), Tractor Supply, or any landscaping store nearby. Lowes and Home Depot usually sell it by the bag – commonly you will find a 2 cubic foot bag for around $4. In the early spring you may come across the Lowe’s black mulch 5 for $10 deal which is about half off of the normal price.
You can also purchase black mulch in bulk from landscaping companies. In this instance, you bring your own truck or trailer and they scoop the mulch into it for you. Prices vary but can be around $30 – $45 per cubic yard. Either way you look at it, you should be able to find some black mulch deals in the late winter or early spring.
How Much Black Mulch Do You Need?
As stated above, you can typically purchase black mulch either by the bag or in bulk. A bag of mulch can be anywhere between 1.5 to 3 cubic feet. When you purchase in bulk it comes by the cubic yard. To equate the two, there are 27 cubic feet in 1 cubic yard. There are calculators on the internet you can use to figure out how much you need, but in short, 1 cubic yard will cover 324 square feet at a depth of 1 inch, or 162 square feet at a depth of 2 inches. You’ll find that if you can buy in bulk, it will generally save you some money. Mulch doesn’t always go as far as you’d like it to!
End of Driveway Landscape Ideas
The end of the driveway is something that goes largely un-noticed by homeowners. Many people just don’t think about landscaping the end of the driveway because they very rarely look at their house from the outside in. That is a reason in itself to pay extra attention to this area of your yard because everyone else sees it daily!
Flower Beds at the End of the Driveway
Many people add flower beds to each side of the end of their driveway to liven up the area with color. Whether it’s a raised bed or level with the ground around it, this is a versatile way to add some expression to an otherwise drab part of your landscaping. If you don’t want to spend too much time maintaining this area, plant perennials in a lightly mulched bed. If you want to customize it for the seasons, go with annuals – pansies and petunias are good for spring into summer, and mums are a great idea for fall time with their deep fall like colors.
Landscape Timbers or Stone
Do you already have flower beds at the end of your driveway and want to take it to the next level? Add some landscape timbers or stone around the beds. You can use landscape timbers to build a raised bed, or simply line the existing bed at ground level with the timbers or stone. Another idea is to build a small stone or brick wall behind the flower beds perpendicular to your driveway. This will help the flower beds to stand out – you can even add some accent lighting!
Upgrade Your Mailbox
If the last two ideas are not enough for you, maybe you should think about upgrading your mailbox? Swapping out that plain boring mailbox for something more extravagant is a great way to spruce up the end of your driveway. On the easier end of this upgrade, you can purchase a fancy plastic mailbox from a hardware store or buy a custom wrought iron one from an outdoor store. If you want to go all out, build, or contract someone to build for you, a full brick mailbox. You can customize it to match you home if you really want to!
Build a Backyard Fire Pit Landscaping Ideas
A DIY firepit may be just want you were looking for to brighten up your landscape this spring. The great part about a firepit is it is a functional part of your landscape – if planned correctly it can compliment your existing landscape as well as facilitate some great evenings by the fire with family and friends.
Types of Firepits
There are many types of fire pits you can choose from, ranging from a basic metal firebox all the way up to a custom stone fire pit with benches built in. Low end, compact and movable fire pits can be a great addition to a small backyard or patio because they can be cleaned up and stored elsewhere. If you want some style to your fire pit, take a look at chiminea fire pit, they are especially helpful in that they direct the smoke upward and away from where you sit, all while giving off tons of heat in the cool spring evenings.
Traditional Wood Fire Pit Ideas
Built in fire pits may be an option for you if you have a large back yard and plan on using it often. Although this option can be expensive, you can really customize it to compliment the rest of your home. When planning a built in fire pit, give extra thought into where it will be built as it will be a permanent fixture of your home.
Propane Fire Pit Ideas
Gas fire pits give you the best of both worlds – they are extremely convenient and you can find them in all different sizes and styles. Just as with the traditional fire pits, you can buy low end inexpensive ones or upgrade to larger ones that are more functional. Another great thing about gas fire pits is you can convert an old brick fire pit or oven to gas with a gas fire pit conversion kit. This can make your temporary fire pit more permanent. If you are concerned about how much heat it puts out. If this is you, be sure to take a look at the BTU rating before purchasing it.
With the Spring approaching quickly, these great landscaping ideas can help you perk up your landscape and bring some joy to you and your family. As the weather warms, enjoying the outside of your home is just as important as the inside. Again, these are just a few ideas for landscaping – if you have any other ideas you’d like to add, let us know. We love to hear from readers!