Читать книгу Landscaping For Dummies - Lance Walheim - Страница 81

As handy and enthusiastic as you are, you probably can’t do it all. Before you tackle a new project, such as laying a patio, assess your physical strength and your skills, and how trainable you are. Surf websites, tune into HGTV, watch YouTube videos, and read more in how-to books. Then take a merciless look at your biceps and your already jam-packed free time, and decide whether you and the task are compatible.

Even if you’re a beginner, with a little dedication and energy, you can have success with the following projects:

 Making a path of wood chips or gravel (check out Chapter 7)

 Laying a brick, flagstone, or concrete paver walkway (see Chapter 7)

 Planting small trees, shrubs, perennials, and other plants (refer to Part 3)

 Installing sod or spreading grass seed (see Chapter 16)

 Planting a groundcover (flip to Chapter 16)

 Building a raised bed (see Chapter 10)

 Installing outdoor lighting (see Chapter 10)

 Building a lightweight shade structure, arbor, or trellis (see Chapter 10)

 Making a bench or planter (see Chapter 10)

 Installing a garden pond or other water feature (see Chapter 10)

Here are some bigger jobs that require more time and heavier labor. Feel free to tackle them yourself if you’re inclined, but you may want to get professional help. For one thing, a professional can get it done a lot faster, without mistakes or undue waste.

 Installing a fence and gate (refer to Chapter 6)

 Building steps (see Chapter 8)

 Installing an irrigation system (check out Chapter 5)

 Building stone or stacked-concrete walls (see Chapter 6)

 Planting large trees (refer to Chapter 11)

 Pruning or removing large trees (refer to Chapter 11)

 Doing electrical, plumbing, or gas-line work

 Building large outdoor structures, such as a shed

 Pouring concrete (see Chapter 9)

 Installing a patio (flip to Chapter 9)

 Building a deck (see Chapter 8)

 Installing a pool