Australia’s hot climate can make it challenging to bring colour to your landscape design. Luscious, green grass and shrubbery are sometimes off the menu due to arid conditions, and homeowners have to get creative with how they incorporate vibrancy in other ways. If you are about to work on your yard and need a helping hand with bringing it to life, then here’s how. Colourful Furniture Outdoor furniture doesn’t always have to be beige, wood, black, or grey. It can also be vibrant colours like blue or yellow. If you’d prefer not to make a significant investment when your current furniture is fine, then what about pillows? A few bright cushions on your existing furniture can break up the dull and drab shades of beige. Feature Wall If you have a section of fence that sits pride of place somewhere central, then take advantage of its position and make it stand out even more. Give it a makeover with a lick of paint. You can then use it as a backdrop for plant life. The beauty of a feature wall is that it costs next to nothing. You can buy a small volume of paint and use the materials that already border your property. 493

Homeowners used to have large, sprawling lawns, plenty of privacy, and even uninterrupted views of farmland and beyond. With population growth and substantial developments, those days are gone. Inner-city and suburban dwellers have to think smarter when it comes to landscaping and obtaining privacy in the comfort of their own home. If you are one of the many thousands of people who struggle to feel like your home is your haven, then read on. We’ve got some fantastic landscaping tips for achieving privacy when you thought you couldn’t. Go Big with Plants If you have a specific area in your section, such as a patio area, that is within full view of your neighbours; then you can take corrective action with minimal effort. Buy some beautiful pots, large plants, and create a subtle screen between your neighbour’s prying eyes and your private entertainment sessions. Some excellent, and fast-growing pot plants for privacy include clumping bamboo, Little Gem Magnolia, Chinese Start Jasmine, and Mother-in-law’s Tongue. Your local garden store or landscaping expert may also be able to recommend some others. Plants are a quick, easy, and affordable option for serenity and privacy in your own space. 502

If you have never been all that invested in your lawn’s health or lawn care in general, then it can be hard to know where to start. Sometimes, you only see the need for such information when your grass is not looking at its best, or you’re envious of your neighbour’s property. The grass indeed might be greener on the other side. However, there’s no better time to start than now, to understand those few magic ingredients that lawns just love. The sooner you can learn the lawn lingo; the faster your lawn can bounce back from its poor state. Nitrogen One of the most vital nutrients for your lawn is nitrogen. Nitrogen is the perfect solution for adding colour to your lacklustre lawn and promoting growth. If you’re worried about your grass because it’s a little yellow or not as vibrant a green shade as you would like, then a lack of nitrogen could be to blame. Nitrogen is responsible for producing enzymes and proteins for premium growth, while it’s also present in chlorophyll for that vibrant green shade. Talk to your local lawn care expert about your options regarding nitrogen application. 507

When you start looking at landscape design options for your yard, you might factor in plants, lighting, and the overall flow of the space. But any landscape design expert will tell you that it’s about more than that. It should be an outdoor paradise and a haven for peace and rest. To achieve that, you have to incorporate areas to relax and entertain guests. A common problem people face, however, is that the weather can do a lot of damage. The UV rays in the sun can make plastic outdoor furniture fade and perish. Water can rot wicker furniture and make patio areas unusable. Wind can make sitting outside unpleasant too. The weather has a lot to answer for. That’s why it’s essential to factor extreme weather into your landscape design. Here are a few things that may be helpful to consider. Wind Shelter When you start looking at places to put your outdoor furniture, factor in the wind direction – or the wind in general. Is your house going to provide enough cover? Are there are enough plants to stop it from being a problem? Consider windbreaker plants and even trellis to break some of that wind’s flow. Your entertainment area will be a far more pleasant place to be in. 499