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DIY Landscaping Preparation

Apr. 24 2020 Lifestyle By ___

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Are you going to tackle a do-it-yourself landscaping project? DIY can be a great way to save money while gaining a deeper sense of pride in your property. You'll not only have quality landscaping, but you'll have quality landscaping that you designed and implemented with your own two hands!

But before you get started, you will want to set yourself up for success. We've created the following DIY landscaping preparation guide to help you get ready. If you have any questions or want to explore landscaping equipment for sale, head over to FMI Equipment. Our dealership is based in Spokane Valley, Washington, and we also serve those in Spokane as well as Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

1. Gather Up DIY Landscaping Inspiration

Interior designers, fashion designers, and other creatives often make a "mood board" at the start of their project. This involves collecting images that fit well with the overall aesthetic and intention of the project. Use this handy approach to start your project. 

You can clip broad pictures that meet the colors and feel of your DIY landscaping project, such as a great color palette used in a luxury hotel's backyard. Or you can save specific images of ideas to implement, such as light-colored rocks set up to mimic a stream. 

To find these images, check out:

  • landscaping blogs

  • websites of local gardening centers

  • social media pages for home and garden shows

  • Pinterest by searching terms such as "DIY landscaping projects" or "landscaping ideas"

These resources will give you great inspiration and you may even find the exact projects you will want to do.

2. Consider the Project's Upkeep Requirements

Once you've got some ideas, you will want to determine what projects you want to move forward with. It's important to keep maintenance needs in mind. There are many great DIY landscaping projects out there, but some may require more upkeep than you have the time or resources to handle. Be realistic about how much you can invest in maintaining a project. 

You'll also want to consider how plants will grow. You don't want to plant a shrub that grows and blocks your window’s view, plant flowers in a way that leads to overcrowding, and so on. Think long-term about how the project will unfold as the plants grow.

3. Inventory Your Landscaping Equipment

Next, think about what equipment you will need to tackle your DIY landscaping project. If you already own the equipment, be sure to give it a thorough inspection. You don't want to start your first project day discovering that a piece of equipment needs repair or parts replacement. If your equipment needs professional help, bring it to our service department.

If you will be needing equipment that you don't yet have, decide whether you want to rent or own it. Renting is a good route for equipment you will likely not need to use again, while purchasing is great for tools or machines that you can see yourself using for future projects.

4. Prepare Your Yard

The last preparation step is to get your yard ready for the makeover. Clean up any debris that has accumulated, such as leaves or branches. Scan the area for any weeds or signs of pests and deal with them as soon as possible. Add mulch to help your lawn thrive. Once your yard is prepared, you are ready to start your DIY landscaping project!

We hope you found this DIY landscaping preparation guide useful. Remember you can always visit the experts at FMI Equipment if you have questions or need to get landscaping equipment. We can provide advice and help you with whatever you need, so stop by our dealership today. We proudly serve those in Spokane, WA, and Coeur d'Alene, ID.