Maybe you recently purchased a new home and are doing a front yard revamp? Or, maybe you’ve decided to remodel and implement a low maintenance landscaping set-up. Being a California native, I’m the first one to tell you that landscape design will make or break your curb appeal. So, whatever the reason may be – we’ve got the best landscaping ideas for Southern California below!
Read Front Yard Landscaping Ideas for Texas here. Or, if you liked this article, read Drought-Tolerant Landscaping Ideas or Front Yard Landscaping Ideas for 2022.
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How can I make my yard look nice for cheap?
Unless you’re living in Palm Springs or Joshua Tree (aka the desert), chances are you are living in a Mediterranean climate, with a bit of rainy winters and dry summers . Places such as Santa Barbara, Orange County, San Diego, and even Los Angeles feature a pretty mild climate.
While you aren’t dealing with the desert, the lack of water resources within California may encourage you to look into drought-tolerant landscape ideas. If you’ve decided to go with a drought-tolerant design idea, then you’ll be able to stay on a fairly low budget (and use low water)!
So, here are some tips for doing some landscape architecture on a budget!
- Use mulch alternatives. While mulch is great, it can be expensive! You can try using a more inexpensive alternative such as stones, pebbles, grass, or even compost.
- Repurpose old tires or even reclaimed wood and turn into garden beds. Not only will your outdoor living space be revamped – it’s budget-friendly!
- Use natural perennial groundcovers. Instead of using chemical pesticides, bring perennials into your garden design to eat up those weeds!
- DIY fire pit – these will totally accentuate your outdoor landscape architect! Read our Fire Pit Ideas for 2022 right here.
What month is good for landscaping?
If you’re living in SoCal – then you most likely want to start landscaping in the winter and fall. While most people are familiar with the notion to start off in the springtime, this isn’t necessarily true when dealing with Southern California landscaping.
Believe it or not, in the fall, growing conditions are less likely to shock new plants. Additionally, the wintertime is when California traditionally gets the most rain. Therefore, it’s the perfect time for outdoor plants to dig their roots in and begin to grow! Again, you want to find tolerant plants that will thrive in SoCal (especially if you’re planting when there isn’t full sun out). Even Northern California has a very different landscaping climate than say, Beverly Hills.
How do I get rid of weeds?
Are you ready to start landscaping and improving your front yard (or backyard) but those pesky weeds keep getting in the way? Ugh, we know – they’re just the worst! Weeds can be a real killer to your new landscaping plants – and that’s no fun!
So, let’s go over some tips on how to prevent (and get rid of) weeds for a more low-maintenance garden.
- Make sure you’re digging the weeds up from their roots. I know, I know – we’ve all heard this saying before. But, it’s so true! If you’re weeding and only taking off the top part – you’re just wasting your time. Get down and dirty in there and make sure the whole thing comes out of the ground.
- Keep mulching. Whether you go with compost, actual mulch, or anything in between – make sure you stay on top of it.
- If you want to try putting something on the actual weed that isn’t a pesticide or super chemically, then try vinegar. Pack in a spray bottle and get to it! It will actually do more for your garden than you think.
Landscaping Ideas for Southern California:
Whether you want to create a California native garden (full of native plants) or want to go with something different – we’ve got the best ideas for you below! Accentuate those swimming pools, plant that modern garden – you can do it all!
This backyard features some hardscape – just look at that patio surrounded by water. It’s great for entertaining!
These privacy walls not only add privacy, they help determine the perimeter of the property and look great as a background for the sculptural plants.
Adding a water feature (even if it’s small) is a great way to spruce up your landscaping. Especially if you’re trying to have your yard look more expensive than it is!
Creating a tropical oasis is a popular move with Southern California landscape. Here, you want to make sure your placement of flowers and plants is intentional.
In SoCal, a lot of people have pools. Here, you can see a vanishing edge pool design along with carefully manicured grass and additional water features.
Here, they used plants and shrubs to create a more modern looking backyard. The orange tones give off that Spanish Hacienda backyard vibe.
Including a fire place can be a great touch. You can see that this large fireplace features a mantel, hearth, and seat walls. I love how they used outdoor lighting to accentuate the stone.
If you’re a sports loving family – then you may want to think about mounting a TV outside. Here, they put placement of the TV so even people in the pool could watch. It’s a great touch for entertaining as well.
Just look at all of those succulents – it creates a very tropical look!
I love the long, rectangular fire place here. With the stone surrounding, it creates a very modern outdoor look.
These raised beds show that you can get creative – these are made from industrial steel pipe! If you’re looking to cut down on water usage, try these and use a drip irrigation system.
This backyard is just gorgeous. Look at that cedar spool – with shrubs and succulents planted around for that desert type look.
Try a crushed gravel path up to the front door and then incorporate some plants with pops of color! It will do wonders for your curb appeal.
This address boulder allows this home to feel welcoming – a great first impression! I love the large succulents behind as well.
We haven’t seen much of papyrus – but it can be popular with Southern California landscaping. Additionally, add some succulents, like they did and you’ll have a contemporary feel.
Therefore, if you liked this article on landscaping ideas for Southern California, check out these:
Firstly…
Outdoor Lighting Ideas
Secondly…
