our landscape do-it-yourself

Our special "Do-it-Yourself" assistance is perfect for those with the energy and creativity to do it yourselves. Or for those homeowners who just can't resist working in the soil. Show us your plan. We can provide you with everything from estimates for your plant list, to bed markings, plant delivery and placement, as well as estimating your soil and mulch needs.

Don't forget that as one of Ohio's top garden centers, Barnes Nursery Inc. is sure to have everything you need, from soil, trees, plants, flowers and mulch to every other planting and garden supply under the sun! We can provide advice and recommendations, or even supplementary installation assistance to make your landscaping project a success!

Before you embark on your landscaping project we recommend a PLAN OF ACTION:

1. Take pictures of the proposed site to be landscaped.
2. Measure the bed areas around the home or building, noting location of windows, doors, walkways and established trees that will remain.
3. Sketch the site with the existing features on paper.
4. Indicate location of new landscape beds, walkways, patio or deck, water feature, shade and ornamental tree locations. Our professionals can offer suggestions that you may not have considered.
5. Select the right plants for the landscape beds. If you are not familiar with landscape plants, ask for assistance from a Barnes Pro. Let them help select the perfect plants for your project.

Many people who want to do their own project find it very cost effective to ask for help in the design/plant selection part of the action plan. According to all the experts, consulting a good landscape designer for this phase of your project is your best spent money. Stop in at our garden centers for free help, or call our landscape design team for a consultation, 419-433-5525 or 800-421-8722.

Consider these points to help assure your result is a beautiful yard borne from a well thought out plan:

• Consider doing your project in phases. Some of the nicest yards have been installed over the course of many growing seasons.
• If you are starting from scratch with a very limited budget, your first priority should be lawn installation and shade tree placement. Then plan your front foundation area. Think phases!!
• Consider if you want a low maintenance landscape (remember, their will always be some maintenance) or do you envision spending more of your time tending to your new landscape.
• Consider what you want the end result to look like? Look at lots of yards, look at gardening books and identify what you like. Look at soil grades, plant selection and placement. Look at walks and patios. What do you like and what do you NOT like?
• Consider the activities that might take place in the landscaped area. Are you landscaping for best curb appeal, or creating a haven for birds and butterflies, or an outdoor living area with grill, Jacuzzi tub, and a fire pit?
• Do you need privacy? Planting a screen of green may be a better alternative than a fence.
• Consider incorporating walkways, decorative walls, a fountain, a deck or patio, lighting, an arbor or gazebo, or a pond? (Keep in mind any water feature means maintenance.)
• Note the sun movement and areas of shade throughout the day. This is important when determining what and where to plant.

Bring all of your questions to Barnes Garden Centers where you will find the finest selection of plants and landscape materials.