Designing your own landscape can be overwhelming. Should you need professional assistance, please contact our experts at Yorkshire Garden Center for assistance. ** Check with your Homeowners Association for any landscaping requirements or restrictions. ** Decide in advance how much you can afford to spend on your landscape.

** Create a timeline to make the most of each season during the planting and installation process.

** Know your zones. Plants with similar watering and sunlight needs are grouped together into hydrozones. Grouping plants into hydrozones allows plants to flourish and enables you to streamline your landscape maintenance needs.

Mini-oasis zone - The area closest to the house. High-water-use plants should be closely grouped here to create a lush setting. This also is where any functional grass would be located.

Transition zone - The area in between. Low- and moderate-water-use plants are located here, a combination of lush and more arid areas.

Arid zone - The area farthest from the house. The most drought-tolerant vegetation should be found here, away from the most active areas of the landscape.

** Consider taking a gardening class at the local college.

** Take photos of eye-catching plants or plant groupings you may want to use in your landscape.

** Consider blooming seasons when planning your landscape.

** Create a focal point for each part of your property. Use lines throughout your landscape to define the space and direct the eye to those focal points.

** Repeat shapes, textures and color to pull your landscape design together.

** Buy smaller plants to save money.

** Place your trees first as an anchor and work your way outward. Be sure to allow enough room for root growth.