Courtesy Grassroots Landscaping

This year, you might want to dig up a new look for your yard. But before you grab a shovel, make a plan. Evaluate the yard's strengths and weaknesses. Walk around your yard think about what it has and what it needs. Do you want a low-maintenance yard? More shade? More play space for the kids? Or more room for planting vegetables and flowers? Once you decide what you want, make a list and draw a map marking the location of each new feature.

Choose trees, flowers, shrubs and other plants that are adaptable to and grow well in your region's climate. Plants that adapt to your yard's soil don't need as much attention from you.

Also, monitor light and moisture levels in your yard. Determine what parts of your yard receive the most shade during the day. Don't plant sun-loving plants in these areas. Also, don't put plants that prefer dry soil in your yard's peak drainage areas.

Buy trees with healthy and abundant top-growth that don't show signs of disease or insect infestation. Give plenty of water to newly planted trees on a regular basis to seal them in the ground. Let a hose drip at the base of baby trees for several hours so that water can soak deep into the soil and encourage deep rooting.

Elegant landscapes add value to any piece of property. Try putting short, small plants in front, medium-sized plants in the middle and large plants in back. Leaves, stems, buds and bark all add texture to your lawn. Make the textures blend. Also, consider how your plants will blend in any nearby wood decking and sidewalk pavement.