Starting with a blank slate for a backyard may sound easy, but for many new homeowners the endless possibilities can be overwhelming. When you own a brand-new home with a blank slate backyard, it takes a combination of vision and skill to turn it into the yard of your dreams. We’ve got a few landscape design tips, and a secret weapon, to help you get there.

No matter if you decide to DIY your new backyard, or hire a pro, the first thing you’ll want to think about is how the yard should function. Will there be large family gatherings with cookouts and children running all around? Or do you want a quiet oasis for meditation and relaxing after a stressful day? Consider exactly what types of activities and ambiance you want to set as you start your design and you’ll be much happier with the final results.

Next, design from the ground up. Plan where you’ll put walkways, patios, walls or any hardscape. Once that’s set you can move on to the green stuff.

As you design your backyard landscape’s grass, flowers, trees and shrubs consider how much maintenance you’re willing to perform. If you don’t have much time, drought-tolerant plantings, artificial grass and other low-maintenance solutions are what you’ll want. If you want to attract wildlife or create a haven for butterflies, hummingbirds and other species, that will help you decide what you want to plant.

If this all sounds a bit too overwhelming, there is always our secret weapon that we’re happy to share with you – our customized Landscape In-Field Design service with award-winning landscape designer Melanie Mackenzie.

Luis’ Nursery and award-winning landscape designer Melanie Mackenzie of Biomirage Landscape, Pool and Garden Design have teamed up to provide residents and business owners in Visalia and the surrounding area with a landscape concept plan service that can’t be beat – The Landscape IFD (In-Field Design).

Melanie works with clients with landscape needs of all shapes and sizes. From complete front and backyard makeovers to first-time homeowners with clean-slate backyards with only dirt and a fence. Bringing 38 years of design background to each project, she is able to create using any theme her clients have in mind. And she has MANY landscape design tips, too.

Melanie’s areas of expertise include:

• Site Analysis
• Colored Plans, Concept Sketches and Perspective Drawings
• Conceptual Water Shape Design and Placement (pools, spas, water features, water gardens and fountains)
• Conceptual Landscape Elements Layout (paving, walks, walls, fencing and gates, pergolas and arbors, patio covers, decks, incorporations of art into landscape, sculpture, furnishings, etc.)
• Planting Plans (all styles with special focus on xeriscape, native and hydro-zoning)
• Conceptual Low Voltage Lighting Fixture Recommendations

Blank slate backyards are what Melanie loves to work with, and she can help you transform that big patch of dirt into something you’ll love for a very long time.

To learn more about Melanie you can check out her HOUZZ profile where she earned Best of Houzz, or follow her on Instagram @waterwisewoman. You can also give us a call at (559) 747-5015, drop by and pick up an IFD Info and Action List in person, or call Melanie directly at (619) 742-4860.