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[quote=Anonymous]You could start with a landscape designer and get plans drawn up, and then work them gradually, maybe even over years. Usually you would start with hardscaping (walls, patios, walkways, decks, fire pits, raised vegetable beds, etc), then trees and large shrubs, then foundation beds and turf or turf substitute, then perennials, then annuals.

Start a notebook and make a note of how you want to use each part of your yard. To be seen and not touched? For kids to play? To entertain guests? Veggie garden? Herbs and cut flowers? To do hobbies? To lounge quietly with a book or a drink? Pets? Color scheme? Make a note of views from various parts of the house. Block it, and think of each part separately, but make sure it all fits together, much like you would your interior design.

Do some research and decide your personal landscape philosophy and feel: formal and high maintenance? All native low maintenance, no chemicals? Mix of formal and informal? 70% native biomass, plus favored non-invasive ornamentals? Wile-life friendly? Anything you need to avoid like plants that deer or rabbits love to eat?

Know the growing zone you are in and pay attention to that when you buy plants. Also know how much sun each part of your yard gets per day and how the soil is in each part (dry, wet, loamy, sandy, clay, rocky)? This is important so you can put the right plant in the right place for it to survive and thrive.

Other ways to get started: walk your neighborhood for a year and snap photos of plants you like that are doing well in your area. Keep track of the seasons and what is featured in the landscape each season (don't forget winter interest and evergreens). Visit botanic gardens in the area and note plants you like and their seasons of interest.

Have fun and keep in mind that a garden is always a work in progress, ever changing. [/quote]

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