Do you know what all apartment complexes, houses, churches and offices have in common? They all have landscaping. No building is complete without some grass, a few plants and some shrubbery to help enhance the quality of the building.

The added value of curb appeal can make the difference when selling a house or increasing the value of a home. Any little bit helps and you do not always need a professional to do the landscaping for you.

It never hurts to have some professional advice or a little bit of knowledge before you start ripping up your front yard, though.

In this article we will cover some of the basics of landscaping so that you can have an idea of how landscaping is done and how it can be easier than you might think. A few trees, some nice green grass and you will have it down pat before you know it. Who knows? Maybe you will decide it's a career that may interest you.

What is landscaping?

Landscaping is any alteration to the land. It can be through a variety of means. It may be through the use of flora. It may be through the use of fauna. There are different methods of landscaping and the types of landscaping used often depend on what type of climate the area is located.

Landscaping also refers to natural structures and manmade structures such as terraces, decks, platforms and seating areas. Ponds and waterfalls can be natural or manmade depending on the terrain. In order to save money many people elect to take advantage of as many of the natural features of the area as possible.

If I decide to landscape my home myself, what are some designs and ideas to help me?

There are many software programs out on the market currently that can help you design your own landscape. You will have to input the shape of your yard and then select from the type of terrain and climate you live in.

The software can give you recommended plants and shrubbery that is best suited for your yard. If you want manmade terrains or structures, you will want to consult a carpenter for ideas or a do-it-yourself website for instructions.

How do I decide which kind to plant?

The type of plant you choose will depend on how much sun your yard receives during the day. It will also depend on your climate and how much you want to water. Some plants thrive in the shade while others will wilt.

For those individuals who live in drought prone areas, they should consider planting hardy plants that require little water and actually help conserve the soil from erosion. Many people elect to have rock gardens and cactus if they live in desert climates.

When is the ideal planting season?

The ideal planting season depends on what type of plant you want to grow. Bulbs are best planted in the fall so that they have time to root. Other plants are best suited to planting during the spring months.

Some plants will not produce flowers or fruits until one or two seasons later so you have to prepare for this. Trees will have to go through several years before they become large enough to give adequate shade or produce fruit.

How much will it cost to landscape my home?

Without knowing how large your yard is, what condition the ground is and what type of plants you want to place in your yard it is impossible to estimate how much it will cost.

You can generally guess that it will be at least five hundred dollars and can easily run upwards of several thousand for exotic plants and intricate features. A landscaper can give you an estimate for the cost.