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1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic (by 29 people)   Your rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic

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Landscaping Tips for Your Yard

 

Did you know that your landscaping can save you money? For instance, planting trees on the south and west sides of your house can reduce your electric bill by about 10% in the hottest summer months.

Planting shrubs and plants around the exterior or your home helps keep the house cooler in summer, as well. This creates a dead air area that helps keep the house warm in winter and cool in summer.

As energy prices soar, the savings begins to really add up.

Other landscaping ideas that save you money include reducing the amount of grass you have in your yard by putting islands of plants and ground cover in your yard. My father-in-law did this with one house he owned and reduced the amount of water needed to keep the grass green.

Putting up a fence or planting bushes and tress to shelter your house from cold winter winds is one way to reduce the money spent on heating in the cold months of the year.

By investigating different landscaping options you can actually save energy and spend less on heating and cooling your home throughout the year.

Landscaping Ideas 

Using Native Plants to Save Water

If you live in a climate that gets little rain you can save money and save water by using drought resistant plants throughout your yard. There are types of grass that can survive with less water, as well as trees, bushes, and flowers that require less water than other types.

Selecting plants and trees that are native to your area is the first step in using plants that require less water. They also save you money by not requiring expensive fertilizers and nutrients be added to the soil.

Flickr Photos 

Looking North from Mexican Hat by endbradley

Looking North from M...

landscape / f3.2 by estmsk

landscape / f3.2

The waterfall at the Japanese Garden by lrargerich

The waterfall at the...

DSC_6530 by dibaer

DSC_6530

The Garden by lrargerich

The Garden

Waterfall at the Japanese Garden by lrargerich

Waterfall at the Jap...

Waterfall by lrargerich

Waterfall

Caraiman, Romania by Radu P

Caraiman, Romania

Caraiman, Romania by Radu P

Caraiman, Romania

Umbrella by Mannequin-

Umbrella

Favorite Landscaping Books 

Viburnums: Flowering Shrubs for Every Season

Amazon Price: $26.37 (as of 10/15/2008)

Step-by-Step Landscaping (Step-By-Step)

Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 10/15/2008)

Sunset Western Landscaping Book

Amazon Price: $19.77 (as of 10/15/2008)

Landscaping for Dummies

Amazon Price: $11.55 (as of 10/15/2008)

Hillside Landscaping

Amazon Price: $12.89 (as of 10/15/2008)

Favorite Landscaping Links 

Landscaping Ideas and Info
This site is full of landscaping ideas and information that will give you ideas for how to landscape your yard.
Landscaping and Gardening Tips
A site that has landscaping and gardening tips and ideas that will help your garden look good and thrive.
Landscaping Tips
Many people contribute landscaping tips at this site. Topics include landscaping ideas, landscaping plans and designs, and how to hire a landscaper.

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Reader Feedback 

TomBoyd

Great idea with using native plants to save water. Brillaint money saving tip, thanks. If you get chance check out my Garden Landscaping Materials Blog

Posted August 09, 2008

greg2213

We have a glass sliding door facing west, off our kitchen, and a small deck just outside that door. We put up one of those cloth canopy things and also four Arbor Vitaes on the southside ($20 each at Costco!) Now we have a shaded deck and a shaped window and it's much more livable.

Posted May 18, 2008

blujeanmomma

Your lens reminded me that I need to start working on our yard this year. Wrote down a few of your tips for when we shop for plants tomorrow.

Posted May 16, 2008

asecretgirl

Wow - I love landscaping. Loved the article. Being a newbie to the internet is like a flower opening.

Sandy
asecretgirl
www.boomersmagic.com

Posted May 16, 2008

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carol_2

About carol_2

My family and I have been blessed with a beautiful home near the California coast. We enjoy working on computers, volunteering in the community and playing computer games (especially Toontown). Our kids have the senior blue belt in Taekwondo and enjoy learning at home.

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