where do you get your Landscaping ideas?

I don't even know where to start with our backyard

Re: where do you get your Landscaping ideas?

My mom! Our yard, growing up, was an ever changing oasis and still is even as she lives in the house by herself. It grew with function and life necessity through babies, grown kids and empty nest.

DH and I have recently bought a house that has a yard with one tree and an old square patio. The thought of starting at such scratch to get where my mom's yard is seems so daunting but I know in time, it will get there!

I bought two books on Amazon that I've only skimmed through but appear to have some great ideas and lessons.

One is New Complete Home Landscaping by Creative Homeowner which is I believe available at Lowes. The other is a Better Homes and Gardens Landscaping book.

Good luck!

Re: where do you get your Landscaping ideas?

great thank you for the reply!

Our backyard is a completely blank slate..........NOTHING IN IT.....including needing to seed grass

Re: where do you get your Landscaping ideas?

I go to Borders or Home Depot and look through the magazines. My DH and I also drive around sometimes to get ideas of different plants/trees that we like. Take pictures before and print them out. I like to draw on the pictures or edit them on the computer to see what things would look like.
Good Luck

Re: where do you get your Landscaping ideas?

I stalk my neighbors.

I do, I really do. I'm always looking around because most of the people around here have beautifully manicured yards and they don't have fences in the front.

Also, I subscribe to Fine Gardening and Garden Gate magazine. Garden Gate has actual plans for planting, with pictures of the finished product. It's three hole punched also so you can put them in a binder. Really helpful when you're first starting out. Fine Gardening is for when you admit you're addicted and want to learn more than what's available at your nursery.

Re: where do you get your Landscaping ideas?

just like previous posters, from magazines, how to books, websites. I also steal ideas from DH's aunt who has created gorgeous gardens on most of her 5 acres.

And another place to get ideas is a garden tour. I don't know if they do it on LI but around here the local gardening club has a Garden Tour of local private homes - some really beautiful stuff!
If not that, than any arboretum, etc will do.

HTH

Message edited 8/9/2008 1:20:16 PM.