AARP Smart Guide to Landscape Design

25. Prune your trees

Grass needs sunlight. If it’s not getting enough, consider pruning adjacent trees. “You might need to thin the trees so they can allow filtered light to get to the subfloor of the lawn to keep it healthy and growing properly,” Malik says. “You might also have to raise low limbs up to an 8-, 10- or 12-foot height to allow air and sunlight to get in under there.” Have a professional prune taller trees; they can also let you know if any big branches should be removed so they don’t fall on your home or vehicles.

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26. Install an irrigation system

A hose with a sprinkler will work for watering, but if you have the money (typical systems can cost at least a few thousand), an underground irrigation system is ideal, according to Malik, who says you can program your system to water the right amount at the right time of day — early in the morning, before the sun gets too warm. “You just set it and forget it,” he says. “Although I would still encourage people to watch the weather. There’s no sense in irrigating if you’re getting proper water from Mother Nature.”

27. Direct foot traffic with stepping stones

Although grass is hearty enough to withstand people walking on it, heavy, regular foot traffic can compact the soil and kill the grass. To prevent this, install stepping stones to direct traffic. 

“It’s a great way to guide people if you don’t want them walking through certain areas or if you just want to guide them in a specific direction, whether it’s to a pool or to a garden or to a driveway,” says Mike Wolfe, CEO of Delgado Stone Distributors.

PLANT A GRANDER GARDEN

You don’t need a huge amount of space to grow a gorgeous garden.

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28. Save your seeds

Get a jump on next year’s garden by harvesting seeds from this year’s. “This is a great way to get a head start on your garden in the spring and save a bit of money,” Stark says. “Find out when your particular plants go to seed and harvest them before they drop to the ground. Some seeds like to get stored in cool, dark places, and other seeds require refrigeration to mimic the winter dormancy period before they germinate in the spring.”

29. Source seeds from a swap

Consider participating in a seed exchange, says Josie Flatgard, exchange and outreach coordinator at Seed Savers Exchange (SSE), a nonprofit network of gardeners dedicated to saving and sharing seeds. 

“Swapping seeds can happen informally, from one neighbor to another; at a seed library, often housed in a public library; or at an organized seed swap event,” she says. “Sharing seeds with folks in your community means you receive seeds that are adapted to your local climate conditions.” 

Flatgard says gardeners who can’t find local swaps can access The Exchange, SSE’s online gardener-to-gardener seed swap.

30. Trade plants, too

Seeds aren’t the only things generous gardeners can exchange. Thanks to the miracle of plant division (splitting a single perennial plant into two or more specimens), they can also exchange full-grown plants, according to Cathy Walker, president of the American Community Gardening Association. Divided plants have more room to grow, and their roots have less competition. This allows them to absorb more water and nutrients, resulting in a healthier plant overall. 

Plant exchanges can take place almost anywhere: Think farmers markets, community gardens and commercial gardening centers. You’ll also find plant-swap groups on social media sites such as Facebook.

31. Join a community garden

Community gardens can be great places to share seeds and divided perennials, and are especially attractive to people without yards or gardens of their own. Even if you have space at home, community gardens can be ideal places to exercise your green thumb and serve as living classrooms where you can collaborate with and learn from other gardeners.

32. Scout for sunlight

A garden’s success hinges in large part on where you put it, according to Thomas, who says it’s important to track sunlight in your yard across different times of day and across multiple seasons. An area that’s full sun in the morning might be full shade by noon. And that same area might be sunny in July but shady in October.

33. Improve garden success with raised beds

If you have poor soil, consider building raised beds on top of your garden space, which allows for better soil to be worked in and more space for roots. “Tomatoes and herbs do really well in a raised bed with very, very loose, fine soil,” Angelov says. 

Thomas installs his raised beds atop at least three layers of cardboard: “When you use cardboard, you’re killing off weeds and grass under the beds, and in about six to 10 months, the cardboard is going to be gone so that those microorganisms can come up into the soil in your raised bed.” Thomas adds that you can maximize space in a raised bed by using the Square Foot Gardening method, which grows more in less space by densely planting in 4x4-foot sections. 

34. Take advantage of small spaces

If you don’t have a big yard, grow your own food and flowers in containers. You can plant flowers, herbs or vegetables in terra-cotta pots, raised beds, water troughs or even paint buckets. And because they can be elevated on legs, container gardens and raised beds are especially attractive to older adults who have trouble kneeling. Lettuce, peppers and cherry tomatoes do well in containers, as do flowers such as marigolds, zinnias and petunias.

If you’re really pressed for space, try a vertical garden. “There are planter setups you can buy or create that sit in a tiered frame that allows you to grow a large range of vegetables or plants in one spot. Some planters attach directly to railings on balconies so you can use this empty space,” says Stark, adding that a “living wall” might be a good option if all you have is a balcony or porch.

36. Water with ease

The secret to a successful garden is consistent and sufficient watering, according to Krystol O’Rourke, cofounder, along with Katie Phillips, of Spade & Sparrow Designs, an exterior design company in Raleigh, North Carolina. O’Rourke recommends simplifying irrigation by adding water-storing crystals to your soil or installing a drip irrigation system that waters your garden automatically on a timer. “There are many DIY kits that you can hook right up to your hose bib.”

CREATE A SUSTAINABLE SANCTUARY

A low-maintenance garden can also be better for the environment.

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37. Add perennial ground cover

If there are areas of your yard where grass won’t grow, or if you’re looking for a more sustainable alternative to the traditional lawn, consider perennial ground covers. “It helps to keep soil cool and moist, enriches soil with organic matter and suppresses weeds,” says Lenhart. 

Some options include small ornamental grasses like sedge and flowering plants such as sweet woodruff and lilyturf. “Ground cover planting is also a cost-effective way to achieve a lush-looking planting design. Rather than buy a large quantity of expensive ornamental plants, you can intersperse fast-spreading patches of ground cover species between clustered scenes of taller plants.” 

Avoid invasive species such as bishop’s weed and English ivy, Loughrey adds.

38. Save time sustainably

In addition to being sustainable, many ground covers can also be low-maintenance for people who no longer have the time or stamina for lawn care, says Kathy Jentz, editor and publisher of Washington Gardener magazine and author of Groundcover Revolution. Her favorite low-maintenance ground cover is dwarf mondo grass. “Dwarf mondo grass looks like these little green mounds very close to the ground. These little rosettes form a mat, so it looks like you cut your lawn super short,” she says. “My next favorite is moss lawns. You’ll see those very commonly in the Pacific Northwest and in Asian gardens — a big expanse of moss as a lawn.”

39. Consider clover

An especially hearty ground cover option is clover. “Going back to the pre-1940s, clover lawns are what lawns used to be. They’re flowering, they stay low and they’re pretty easy to maintain because you don’t have to water them too much,” Jentz says.

40. Embrace edibles

Edibles can be yet another ground cover option. “In front of your perennial bed or surrounding your vegetable garden could be a ground cover of strawberries because they spread by overground runners, similar to vining,” Jentz says. Consider “Everbearing” and “Day-Neutral” varieties. “Another one is Pink Panda. Pink Panda was bred specifically for ground cover use, and it’s especially good for covering slopes. You get beautiful flowers and beautiful leaves that turn a rusty red color in the fall — and then you actually get fruit, too.” 

Herbs, too, can be a substitute for lawns. “Creeping thyme and creeping rosemary are great ground covers, especially in a hot, very sunny, well-draining climate, like a Mediterranean or desert climate,” Jentz says.

41. Nurture natives

Replacing thirsty ornamentals with water-wise species can reduce irrigation needs. “Native plants are a great place to start, as they’re adapted to thrive in the regional climate,” Lenhart says. “Climate-adapted plants, which come from parts of the world with climates similar to your local climate, are also excellent for a water-wise landscape.”

42. Please pollinators

Native plants such as milkweed, yarrow and coneflower help pollinating bees and butterflies, which are critical to the environment. “You don’t need to be militant about using natives, but it is crucial to include at least some natives in order to support your local pollinator species,” Lenhart says. Another way to support pollinators is with wildflowers. “I love wildflowers. They’re the best for pollinators, and they’re really cheap to grow. You get a handful of seeds from the hardware store — you can get a 10-pack of seeds for $5 — and you sprinkle them everywhere,” says Angelov, who recommends having a dedicated wildflower bed or berm. “They’ll look like weeds if they’re just spread out randomly.”

43. Save water with rainscaping

Rainscaping — using landscaping practices that capture and infiltrate rain close to where it lands — can help you be a good steward of water resources, says Kara Salazar, assistant program leader and extension specialist for sustainable communities at Purdue University in Indiana. 

Consider a rain garden, which is engineered to capture and infiltrate water from downspouts and driveways, thereby reducing stormwater runoff. Or, if you’re a beginner, start with something simpler, such as collecting rainwater in a rain barrel. You can make your own rain barrel, Salazar says, by installing a diverter on your downspout and directing it into a store-bought barrel that’s outfitted with a screen and a spigot. You’ll need to elevate your barrel on a base if you want to connect a hose, as you’ll be reliant on gravity to pressurize it.

44. Create a composting zone

Composting can reduce waste sent to landfills while creating nutrient-rich soil for your garden. Away from your home, clear a patch of bare soil, then layer green materials like food scraps and grass clippings with brown materials such as twigs, leaves and shredded paper, Stark says. Aim for about two-thirds brown and one-third green, keep the pile moist like a wet sponge, and turn it every few weeks to speed decomposition. You can also purchase small composting tumblers or bins, which keep rodents out.

45. Avoid gas-powered tools

When it’s practical to do so, avoid gas-powered yard tools in favor of electric or manual options. “Machines that run on gas tend to emit a lot of by-products that aren’t so good for the environment,” Stark says. “Manual or electric options are also healthier for you in general to use because you’re not breathing in fumes. But they require more labor, or you need several batteries to keep your projects on track.”

DEFEND AGAINST DROUGHT

Xeriscaping is a landscaping style focused on plants that don’t require much water, such as cacti.

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46. Bring the prairie to your yard

For drought-prone areas, consider prairie- or meadow-style landscaping and gardening. “This style of gardening means planting thickly and tightly so we don’t need to water, employ herbicides, fertilize or use wood mulch after the garden is established,” says Benjamin Vogt, author of Prairie Up: An Introduction to Natural Garden Design. “Let’s use more sedges and grasses, just like we see in a prairie or meadow, and use them as a living green mulch to increase soil moisture and shade out weed seedlings.” 

47. Water wisely

No matter where you live, it’s more important to water smartly than it is to water frequently, according to Katie Tamony, chief marketing officer at wholesale nursery company Monrovia Plants. “A plant’s roots are down at its base. So let’s say you plant a 5-gallon shrub; when you water, you need the water to get all the way down to the bottom of what you just planted,” she says. “It makes sense to water more deeply and in short bursts of time — let’s say twice a week — than to water frequently.” And water in the early morning. May agrees: “Installing a soaker hose or a drip irrigation system is a convenient and efficient way to provide water to plants in landscape beds.”

48. Protect evergreens, too

Even evergreen trees and shrubs need water when it’s hot and dry. “The best way to keep these plants healthy is to never let them experience drought stress,” according to May, who says mulch is key. “Provide 2 to 3 inches of mulch around the base of your plants. This will help reduce water loss from the soil and, in turn, reduce the watering needs of your plants.”

49. Group plants by water needs

One especially smart strategy for water-conscious gardeners is hydrozoning, according to Tamony. “Hydrozoning is bundling your plants into areas of your garden based on their water needs,” she explains. “For instance, if you have hydrangeas, those tend to be thirstier. If you can put those in one area of your garden, along with maybe some perennials and annuals that also take a little bit more water, that’s going to be more efficient with your water. You might want to put some containers in that area, too, because containers tend to need more water.”

50. Embrace xeriscape

The king of water-wise landscaping in drought-prone areas is xeriscape, a style explicitly designed to require little or no irrigation by using drought-tolerant plants to reduce water use. Xeriscaping starts with the right trees, says Tony McCammon, owner of Bloom Horticulture in Saint George, Utah, and a member of the Southern Utah Home Builders Association (SUHBA). 

“Choose your trees carefully,” he says. “Palo verde, honey mesquite, chaste tree, Wilson olive, African sumac and desert willow are trees that provide filtered shade, which many other xeriscape plants thrive under.” Many flowering plants and edibles are perfectly suited to xeriscapes, according to Tamony, citing edibles such as figs, persimmons, grapes and artichokes, as well as herbs such as rosemary, lavender and sweet bay. For flowering plants, she recommends specimens like Gold Star Esperanza, kangaroo paw and salvia. 

51. Prepare for ‘weather whiplash’

Even if you don’t live in a particularly dry area, you still may experience periods of drought or drought-like conditions. For that reason, it’s important to populate your landscape with hardy plants that can tolerate what landscape designer Harley Grandone calls “weather whiplash.”

Grandone says increasingly erratic weather patterns make plant adaptability more important than ever. She advises homeowners to select trees, shrubs and perennials that can withstand a range of temperatures and moisture levels rather than relying on ideal growing conditions.

SPROUT A SAFER SPACE

Keep pet play areas in mind as you design your outdoor haven.

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52. Use slip- and trip-resistant stones

If you use stepping stones in your landscape, make sure they feature a thermal, or flamed, surface, Wolfe says. That means the stones have a natural, rather than smooth, texture, which creates traction when you step on them. You want a contiguous surface, says O’Rourke, who is a physician. Uneven cobblestones can be a tripping hazard, she points out, especially for people who use assistive devices such as walkers.

53. Look into installing railings

Railings are an important safety feature if your landscape includes stairs, according to O’Rourke. Use railings anywhere there is a change in elevation or texture — along a sloping driveway or a garden path that transitions from concrete to mulch.

54. Create housing for hoses

Hoses are major tripping hazards in yards and gardens, says O’Rourke, who recommends retractable hose reels that keep them out of the way when they’re not in use.

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55. Take a seat

Working in the yard on a hot day can be exhausting — and exhaustion can lead to falls. “I like to sprinkle random little spots to sit around the yard — little garden benches and things around areas of interest in your yard,” Phillips says.

56. Protect your pets

If you have pets, keep them in mind, says dog trainer Ali Smith, founder of Rebarkable in Westminster, Maryland. A fenced yard is important to protect pets from predators. Likewise, you’ll want to avoid planting anything that’s severely toxic, such as wild onions or garlic. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) maintains a full list of poisonous plants, but not all toxins are created equal.

57. Add places for pets to play

Designing a pet-friendly yard isn’t just about removing hazards. It’s also about adding play areas. Smith recommends adding dog-safe berry bushes such as blueberries, blackberries and raspberries for foraging; odiferous plants such as lavender, chamomile and lemongrass for sniffing; forsythia bushes for tunneling; shade trees and shrubbery bushes to create shady areas; and water features for playing. 

If you have a dog who likes to dig, creating a designated spot with loose sand or soil can be a good idea if you train them to use it.

58. Support wildlife

You can make your yard as safe for wildlife as it is for people. The National Wildlife Federation offers a special program for homeowners who want their yards designated as Certified Wildlife Habitats. To qualify, yards must meet certain criteria such as providing adequate food, water and shelter for birds, butterflies or other critters (a $25 application fee is required).

59. Add features for feathered friends

Accommodating birds in your yard is easy, according to Megan Moriarty, communications manager for the National Audubon Society. “Growing native plants will attract birds and provide food and shelter for them while making your space beautiful,” explains Moriarty, who says the National Audubon Society maintains a native plants database with information on the best plants for birds in your area. Homeowners can reduce or eliminate the use of pesticides and fertilizers and install bird feeders or birdbaths. 

“If possible, make sure bird feeders and baths are near, but not too close to, shrubs or trees that can provide them cover if they feel threatened,” Moriarty says. “To minimize the risk of colliding with windows, bird feeders should be placed directly on windows or very close to windows, within 3 feet.”

A new yard can also be the perfect excuse to learn a new hobby, such as birding. “Birds are found in every neighborhood and habitat, and people of all ages, skill levels and abilities can benefit from spending time bird-watching. Bird-watching and time spent in nature are shown to have health benefits through relaxation, lowering stress and sharpening mental acuity,” Moriarty says.

PREVENT PESTS

Special boxes can attract birds of prey, such as owls, that help keep rodents out of a garden.

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60. Practice proactive pest management

The quicker you catch them, the easier it is to eradicate diseases and pests. So try to be proactive instead of reactive about plant health, suggests Lindberg, using tree health as an example. 

“Homeowners with mature trees should not wait until damage is obvious before seeking help,” he says. “Many common pests and diseases, including emerald ash borer, spotted lanternfly and fungal infections, are easier to manage when identified early. Warning signs can include thinning canopy, dead branches, early leaf drop, bark cracks or visible insect activity. A periodic inspection by a qualified arborist, especially after storms, drought or nearby construction, can be the difference between treating a manageable issue and losing a valuable tree.” 

61. Make your own herbicides and pesticides

You can control pests and weeds without harmful chemicals by making your own organic solutions. For weeds, Stark recommends mixing a gallon of vinegar with a cup of table salt and two tablespoons of dishwashing liquid. “Mix it until it dissolves and spray it to coat the weeds,” she says. “However, you do have to be very careful with this solution, as it will kill anything it comes into contact with, including the plants or flowers nearby and the grass.”

For insects and fungus, Stark mixes a gallon of water with a tablespoon of cold-pressed, concentrated neem oil (available at garden stores, most big-box stores and online) and a teaspoon of liquid dish soap. “Wear gloves and apply it in the later afternoon hours, only to plants that are a few months old. Younger plants can burn with this oil,” she says. “Only apply it once a week until you don’t see any more pests.” For soft-bodied insects such as aphids and spider mites, try soapy water before escalating to neem oil, suggests Thomas, who makes and stores large batches with 2 gallons of water and 2 to 5 tablespoons of castile soap per gallon.

62. Minimize mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are not only a nuisance; they can also transmit illnesses such as the Zika and West Nile viruses. Because mosquitoes are semiaquatic, the best way to prevent them is to eliminate standing water, says Emma Grace Crumbley, an entomologist at the pest removal company Mosquito Squad. 

In mosquito-prone areas, that means avoiding water features, being careful not to overwater plants and lawns, and grading your landscape to ensure proper drainage. Crumbley says professionals can spray your yard with an aromatic, all-natural mixture of water and essential oils that’s designed to repel mosquitoes. That process typically costs about $500 for a half-acre lawn, according to Fixr, a home remodeling estimation platform. Want a DIY way to control the pests? You can buy mosquito dunks at many retail outlets. These are small, donut-shaped tablets that you place in standing water to kill mosquito larvae. They contain Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis), a naturally occurring bacterium that is toxic to mosquito larvae when they feed on it.

63. Practice tick prevention

Ticks can spread illnesses such as Lyme disease and babesia. To keep ticks out of your yard, avoid long grasses, heavily forested areas and woodpiles. Because they often catch rides on deer, Crumbley says the best way to prevent ticks is to plant daffodils, lavender and other flowering plants that deer avoid because they are toxic to them. You can place tick tubes throughout your yard that kill ticks on rodents without harming the animals.

64. Keep nuisance animals at bay

The best way to deter skunks, raccoons and other nuisance wildlife is to eliminate potential food sources from your yard, says Brad Woods, district manager, Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, at Trutech Wildlife Service. 

“If you are growing fruits or vegetables, harvest your crops regularly,” he advises. “Raccoons and skunks are very adept climbers.” If you have bird feeders, clean up spilled seeds promptly. Secure trash cans firmly and keep pet food inside. “Also, clear any debris piles to limit potential areas for shelter,” continues Woods, who says animal-specific barriers can be effective. “To keep skunks out, the fence needs to be at least 4 feet high with a 1-foot overhang to prevent climbing. Then the fence needs to be buried at least a foot deep and bent at a 90-degree angle so the critter can’t dig under it.”

65. Deter geese

While it might not be the first animal that comes to mind when you think of outdoor pests, the Canada goose is a thorn in many a homeowner’s side, says Kate Schneider, founder and CEO at Ibis Coastal Landscapes, a concierge landscaping company in Savannah, Georgia. 

“In the early 1900s, Canada geese were facing extinction due to overhunting and habitat loss. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act helped intentionally protect the species, but at the same time, humans unintentionally created the perfect habitat for geese. Expanding suburbs brought expansive manicured lawns leading to artificial ponds — the very combination geese love,” explains Schneider, who recommends surrounding ponds with tall native grasses that limit access to the water, and downsizing large turf lawns by adding intentional garden spaces such as raised planting beds. 

66. Invite natural predators for pests

Predators are nature’s solution to pests. In his own landscape, Hanson installs owl boxes to attract birds of prey, which are natural deterrents to rodents such as mice, rats and gophers. Crumbley recommends growing native flowering plants that attract spiders, praying mantises and ladybugs, all of which can help control pests naturally. Although you can purchase beneficial garden insects online, be careful not to trade one pest problem for another, she says.

KICK THINGS UP A NOTCH

A swimming pool can really boost your outdoor-living quotient.

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67. Soak up the shade

A shade structure can make your yard a comfortable place no matter the time of day or year; even a good old-fashioned patio umbrella can do the trick. For a decorative accent to walkways or gates or to shade a small seating area or bench, an arbor with an arched top is a classic choice. 

If you’ve got ample space and budget, a covered pavilion or gazebo could be an outdoor oasis away from the house. 

If you’ve got an exposed patio, consider an awning — it can be stationary, manually retractable or even motorized. And because they’re flexible, functional and affordable, pergolas are also popular.

68. Let there be light

Landscape lighting makes a big impact. “Great landscape lighting draws attention to your home’s strongest features,” says Kyle Beach, director of operations at Wonderly Lights, which provides outdoor lighting installation services. “Use it to emphasize architectural details like columns, textured facades or entryways, as well as focal points such as a grand driveway or statement landscaping.” 

Beach continues: “Ground lighting along a driveway or walkway creates both visual appeal and safe navigation, just as soft window lighting can elevate curb appeal. By focusing on standout elements instead of lighting everything equally, you create a visual hierarchy and a more polished, high-end look.” While you may save on energy and installation by using solar options, a hardwired system usually casts a stronger glow. 

69. Make your landscape a soundscape

Sound can be just as important in a yard or garden as sight and smell, Schneider insists. “Outdoor entertaining on a patio feels incomplete without a well-designed audio system to elevate dinner parties and evening gatherings,” she says, adding that outdoor sound systems can be installed discreetly within garden beds, patios and pool areas. 

70. Cook up an outdoor kitchen

For home chefs, an outdoor kitchen is the ultimate upgrade. Depending on your interests and budget, you can add features such as a wet bar or pizza oven. “Keep outdoor dining near outdoor kitchens, and provide some kind of social space near the kitchen so that the person cooking can still socialize with the group as they cook,” Lenhart suggests. “L-shaped kitchens are great for this, as you can run bar stools along the outer edge of counter space, allowing friends to have a drink and chat while someone runs the grill.”

71. Take the plunge with a pool

If you’re planning a major landscaping upgrade, it might be the perfect opportunity to install the pool you’ve always wanted. If space and budget aren’t an issue, “the sky’s the limit,” says Shaun Hurley, director of training at America’s Swimming Pool Co. Fun upgrades include deck jets and laminar jets that create arcs of water from the pool deck into the pool, colored lights, tanning ledges, zero-entry pools that gradually slope from land to water, bubblers that create a fountain-like effect, raised water features, swim-up bars and integrated spas, just to name a few. If you have limited space and budget, you can still get your swim on, according to Hurley, who says a plunge or lap pool can be as small as 5 feet by 15 feet. 

72. Go bold with boulders

You can use large stones and boulders for form and function, according to Wolfe. You can arrange them in a sculptural way so they look almost like art, or use them as property markers instead of a fence. You can even use them to cover up eyesores, such as an unsightly tree stump or a stubborn patch of lawn where the grass won’t grow. 

“Because they’re all unique, [boulders are] a great way to make your property stand out,” Wolfe says. “There’s an eye-catching curb-appeal element to having something like that.”

73. Relax with a water feature

Water features — anything from a simple plug-in fountain to an elaborate pond, stream or waterfall — can bring a touch of zen to your yard. “A lot of times, we add water features near patio areas,” Phillips says. “Other than it being really charming and relaxing, it drowns out a lot of noise if you don’t want to listen to nearby traffic or to your neighbor’s dog.” 

If you don’t have the space or budget for an in-ground water feature, consider an elevated container pond. Grandone created a freestanding patio pond approximately 24 inches high and 30 inches wide. The pond includes a shallow shelf filled with pea gravel and about 2 inches of water, creating a safe bathing area where birds gather to drink, splash and cool off. 

74. Turn up the heat

With cold-weather accessories, your yard can be as enjoyable in winter as it is in summer. “Incorporating heat sources like firepits or mounted infrared heaters, insulating the ground with outdoor rugs and providing attractive storage for outdoor blankets all help to create a ready-made infrastructure for cold weather,” Lenhart says.

There are several types of firepits, according to Eric Tamminga, founder of firepit maker Iron Embers. “Wood-burning firepits offer a traditional, rustic feel, while gas-powered firepits offer ease of use and convenience. Propane firepits offer portability and versatility,” he says, adding that the most important firepit decision is location. “The best place to put a firepit is in an open area, away from flammable structures and materials and close to a source of water.… Putting your firepit over gravel or patio stones is always best.”

75. Reimagine your front yard

Front yards have traditionally been all about curb appeal, but homeowners have also turned to them to maximize their outdoor space. “Our clients continue to request front yard seating areas, firepits, play spaces, veggie gardens and other welcoming, functional design areas,” says Lenhart. Creating a comfortable, accommodating outdoor space lets you use it to host friends and family.

76. Try high-tech helpers

New technology solutions help with plant health and make chores easier. Though they cost more than push mowers — ranging from $300 to over $5,000 — robotic lawn mowers use AI and computer vision to distinguish grass from non-grass. Popular brands include MowRo, Husqvarna, Yarbo, Mammotion, Kress and Worx, to name just a few. 

High-tech weather stations and soil sensors from companies such as The Connected Shop, Ambient Weather, Ecowitt and Zynect provide real-time insights on soil moisture, fertilizer, ambient temperature and light intensity and send alerts if your plants need attention. They cost as little as $18 for a wireless soil moisture meter and as much as $450 for a smart weather station. 

There are even smart watering systems. For example, check out OtO and the Rachio Smart Hose Timer. Starting at $499, the former is a solar-powered, Wi-Fi-connected sprinkler that intelligently irrigates your lawn based on its size, its shape and weather conditions. For $70, the latter connects to your garden hose and smartphone to automate hose-based watering.

ENJOY THE FRESH AIR

Now that all your hard work is done, get outside and take it in.

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77. Get exercise without working out

Tending to your outdoor space can help improve your health by increasing your activity level. “The garden and the outdoor environment provide the motivation to get outside and walk around,” O’Rourke says. “When you’re out in your yard, you might be navigating uneven ground, picking up sticks and pine cones or tending your garden. You might not even realize that you’re exercising, but you’re using your body in so many ways that are helpful for it.”

78. Savor the fruits of your labor

We all know the heart-healthy benefits of a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, and research shows that people with access to fresh produce will eat more of it. Plus, vegetables that ripen in your garden will probably contain more nutrients than grocery-store options. Commercially grown produce is often harvested before peak ripeness for resale and transport, and its nutritional content degrades. But you can pick your produce at its ripest, ensuring peak flavor and nutritional value. In a home garden, you also control the fertilizers and pesticides used to grow them.

79. Become a birder

A new yard can be the perfect excuse to learn a new hobby, such as birding. “Birds are found in every neighborhood and habitat, and people of all ages, skill levels and abilities can benefit from spending time bird-watching. Bird-watching and time spent in nature are shown to have health benefits through relaxation, lowering stress and sharpening mental acuity,” says Moriarty.

80. Sit back and relax

The best part about planting a garden or designing a landscape is enjoying it when it’s done, Angelov says. For some people, that means working in the garden and tending it. For others, it could be as simple as sitting quietly and listening to nature. “For clients who don’t like to work in the garden or can’t physically work in the garden, I [install] a bench or a couple of chairs or a swing so they can sit and enjoy it,” he says. “Those moments are enhanced with a running water feature or some chimes or a little table where you can set your wine down. Just stopping and enjoying is a huge part of gardening.”