Landscaping Do's and Don'ts

A certain hardware store has a commercial out now that features homeowners vowing not to get involved in lawn projects that will take all summer. What I like about the ad is that it's so true for some of us -- somehow planting a few flowers morphs into a yard makeover that takes months to complete. And you've shelled out big bucks. Was it worth it?

Now, I'm not saying there isn't value in a well-manicured lawn -- there is. But there are smart ways to spend your landscaping dollars, and not-so-smart ways. Here are tips from landscape designers and architects I've interviewed in the past:

Do ...

-- Keep it simple and do it well rather than spread a budget over a lot of features that are halfway done.

Subscribe to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance

Be a smarter, better informed investor.

Save up to 74%

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters

Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.

Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.

Sign up

-- Get a design if you're on a limited budget, then prioritize -- go in order of implementation. Start with a patio (because it adds the most value and has the most impact), then irrigation, then landscaping.

-- Work with the environment you have and use native plants because they are less expensive to maintain.

-- Buy quality, even if it means buying less.

-- Buy used a swing set for the kids because it won't be used that long and don't justify the cost of a new one.

Don't ...

-- Don't do anything you don't have the time or money to maintain.

-- Don't focus on the backyard before the front. Create curb appeal first.

-- Don't spend money on things you won't use (concrete curbing, lawn ornaments).

-- Don't spend a lot of money on landscape lighting. A little goes a long way, and lots of lights require more maintenance and expense.

-- Don't overplant. Confine your planting to one area rather than several because it will be easier to maintain.

-- Don't build an outdoor kitchen if you live in a cold environment because you'll be able to use it only one season.