Gardening: Planning to transform your yard

Weve had our winter a little snow, a cold snap or two, and a bunch of rain so now its time to start thinking about spring.

And nothing says spring like yard work and landscape renovations.

If you love your home, and you havent already done the deed, chances are youre already thinking about how youre going to transform your yard into your personal paradise this spring and summer. And if youre a typical homeowner, you probably dont have nearly enough money to do everything youd like to do, or enough time to accomplish it all.

Which is why Sherilyn Gale and Rob Turner of Beneath Your Feat Landscaping suggest the best way to begin transforming your yard is to develop a plan.

Naturally, there are as many ways to develop the perfect plan as there are people, and your personal paradise is not going to end up looking anything like your neighbours or best friends.

Its all about personal taste, say Gale and Turner.

Even if youre on a budget, you can achieve wonders, if you put your mind to it.

The award-winning landscaping team says a good plan starts with a dream. Do you envision a party zone or a personal oasis? Is it about food production or a place for the kids to play? Did you take a trip somewhere and marvel at the gardens you saw?

Perhaps you wish to include a design such as a Japanese garden, or as many customers we have built for want, a garden that emulates the Whistler theme natural rocks, boulders and native plantings that are drought tolerant. It could include an actual waterfall and stream, or even a dry river bed, says Gale.

One of the advantages of creating a plan, says Turner, is that it allows you to do the necessary projects over time. This is particularly helpful for those who can only devote so much time each year, or those whose budget only stretches so far.

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Gardening: Planning to transform your yard