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One of the things that many times stops home owners from attempting to take on their own landscaping project is fear. Look through the books on landscaping and read some of the suggestions and it can scare a person to death.

Fear not! You definitely need to read up and look at pictures before you begin a project, but remember; this is your backyard and you are free to do with it what you want.

The main thing to be concerned with when planting different plants is to make certain of their growing requirements. Do they require a lot of sunlight, a mix of sun and shade, or mostly shade? Other than that, let’s get started.

The biggest and most dramatic feature you can add to your backyard is a pond. Put in a waterfall and enjoy the relaxing sounds of water while you sip lemonade and read a good book.

If a pond is in your plans, do this first. It will be the focal point and you can begin your plantings later.

A pond is not hard to build. Plan your layout and get some white spray paint or chalk and layout your design. You can use one of the plastic pre-shaped pond kits if you like, but you can never really get the natural look that you can with a liner.

The hardest part will be digging. The tedious part may be laying out the liner to try to remove most of the wrinkles. The fun part will be filling the pond with water and, later, stocking the pond with fish.

Put in some water lilies and, if that’s the only thing you get done the first year, who cares?! This will be dramatic and will definitely bring you lots of relaxation as well as pride. Plant it near where you spend most of your time. Don’t hide it away at the back of your yard.

When the pond is finished, pick areas around your yard and plan the location of your plants. Notice the sunshine at different times of the day. That’s what will determine the location of your plants in each area.

Unless you have a lot of time and money, you probably won’t be able to plant your entire backyard in one season. Start with one area and till it up. Plant a few plants and space them out somewhat. This will give you a chance to mix in some plants next year. You can see what the plants look like and decide if you need more color or some hostas or some more of the same plants. Next year, you can add or subtract plantings as needed.

One more important point. Plant short plants in front and taller plants in the back.

Start with a few sections now or one section and add more each year. You’ll be amazed what you can accomplish in four or five years without breaking the bank. You’ll create a backyard haven made especially for you.

Building a new deck or replacing an older one will prove to be and excellent investment, however there are certain pitfalls that a person should be aware of. Be sure to spend some time checking these before beginning construction.

Spend a little extra time in planning the layout of the deck so it will be large enough for all your planned activities. It is important that the layout blends or goes well with the surrounding area, consider the angles of the sun and shading.

Take your sketches and ideas of what you want to your local lumber dealer or favorite supplier and be sure to consider their suggestions and ideas. They can probably draw up a plan for you and give you a pretty close estimate of the materials needed and the cost. As decks become more popular, suppliers and contractors are more familiar with the construction methods and will make sure that you choose the right type and makeup of materials.

Most decks are still being constructed with treated lumber, however there is a new player on the scene. A new composite board that requires no sealers or painting is being used by some builders, however it will increase the cost of materials about 80 to 100 percent. If your pocketbook allows it you might want to opt to use this new material.

Before the year 2003 the pressure treated wood was treated with chromate copper arsenate (CCA), however the EPA forced manufacturers to stop using this process, still allowing lumber companies and dealers to sell out their inventory of CCA products. The problem that popped up after several years of these treated timbers being in the ground caused a leaching of arsenic into the surrounding soil. There was concern that this would present a danger and health risk to children and persons who came in contact with the contaminated soil.

Today most manufacturers have changed the treatment process and are using a compound called alkaline copper quat (ACQ). Other treatment compounds are being considered for approval by the EPA, one of them being acid copper chromate (ACC). These new products are considered to be safe for such use as decks and mailbox posts.

Just because the manufacture of treated lumber using CCA was halted it doesn’t mean that you need to destroy your deck if you used that material. A good coating of a name brand oil based sealer or paint will seal the wood and make it safe. This should be done every couple of years to be safe.

New methods of fastening the ACQ treated wood is necessary. No longer will regular metal nails of screws hold up since the copper in the material will corrode the unprotected steel fasteners. The recommended screws are poly-coated and any nails should be at least the hot-dipped nails not the hot galvanized nails or screws. Joist hangers and connectors should be of the (TZ) type which means they are triple zinc coated with a thicker galvanized coating.

The type of flashing between the concrete pillars or foundation should be of copper or a copper coated material. Do not use aluminum flashing as it will corrode due to the copper used in the treatment of the lumber.

Because wood is a porous material and can be damaged by the UV rays of the sun it is important that you protect your deck by cleaning it with a power washer and giving it a good protective coating every two years or so. You made a large investment when you had your deck built and a little care will afford you many years of pleasure.

Railings are important on decks and can be constructed of the same treated material. There are other choices for railings such as metal and vinyl. Pre-fab spindles are now available at most material suppliers and are easy to install.

Special lighting in the area of the steps are an important factor not only to enhance the beauty of the deck but also ad security. Any steps should be well lighted for safety sake. Safe low voltage lighting systems are popular and the cost is well worth the benefits.

Most communities have ordnances or regulations covering decks and swimming pools and it is very important that you check with the code official in you town or community before starting construction. There are financial penalties if you do not have an official permit before any construction begins.

Nothing says summer quite like walking barefoot through the cool, fresh grass. But many products that promise a greener lawn often recruit the use of thick, heavy pesticides that can be harmful to your skin and health. To help keep your grass thriving all summer long, follow these easy tips!

1. Remember, you want to help your lawn fend off pests and weeds naturally, so your first step is determining the pH level of your soil. Soil testing kits are relatively inexpensive and will give you a good idea of the acidity or alkalinity of the earth in your area. You may need to add lime or sulphur depending on the results, and these can be purchased at garden and home improvement stores for very little money.

2. Once you’ve got your soil test results, add organic fertilizer (the amount will be determined by the soil test) and cover with about an inch of organic compost. This supplies the necessary nutrients your lawn needs to thrive – and the more you can boost its natural immunity to invaders, the healthier and greener it will get. Once you’ve added the organic compost, rake the area over to allow the new soil to settle and the water to drain easily.

3. When choosing a lawn grass, get the most resilient kind you can for your particular area. Check with lawn and garden stores and nurseries about what grows well where you live. For best results, grow native grasses or choose natural groundcovers that tend to grow quickly and spread easily.

4. Be mindful of weeds and pests that try to invade your lawn. Ask a local landscape or garden center about insects or birds that eat these types of pests, and what you can do to encourage them to stay. Even so-called “organic” pesticides can contain harmful chemicals – so the more naturally resistant you can make your lawn – the greater it will look.

5. Water your new lawn every day when you first sow the seeds or plugs. Make sure that the ground is saturated, but not to the point that you get runoff or puddles. Watering in the early evening, especially in the summer, will help prevent your lawn from getting scorched by the sun and still allows the grass to dry by nightfall.

6. You can start mowing your fresh new lawn when the grass reaches about three inches tall. Adjust your lawnmower so that you cut off no more than the top third of the blades each time you mow. How often you’ll need to mow depends on the type of grass you choose. Consult a landscaper or garden specialty store for more information.

7. Finally, be sure to add a new layer of organic compost to your lawn every spring. This will help replenish the natural nutrients it needs to ward off pests and look its best!