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  • The Differences Between Hard and Soft Landscaping

The Differences Between Hard and Soft Landscaping

Person putting down lawn

Most people know what landscaping refers to but often haven’t heard of hard and soft landscaping. These two terms have very different meanings when it comes to garden renovation and upkeep. One complements the other and they work seamlessly together to create the perfect outdoor space. In this article, we will explore what hard and soft landscaping are and how they are used in the gardening industry.

What is hard landscaping?

Hard landscaping, often referred to as hardscaping, is the use of hard materials in what are normally larger renovation projects in a garden. These include:

  • Brick walls
  • Concrete
  • Fences
  • Patios
  • Gravel
  • Stone work

Hard landscaping creates the boundaries of your gardens and the foundations for any outdoor structures that will be built. It could also include drainage management and the prevention of erosion in an outdoor space, adding structure and form to a garden.

What is soft landscaping?

Soft landscaping, also known as softscaping, refers to the maintenance of all soft materials in a garden. These include:

  • Flowerbeds and plants
  • Grass
  • Hedges/bushes
  • Trees

Once the hard landscaping has been completed, the soft landscaping work can begin. With the boundaries set and the spaces created, the soft elements can be added. These are arguably what makes a garden and sets it apart from others. It also means that an ecosystem can be created to attract insects.

Do you need both hard and soft landscaping?

Without one, the other cannot flourish. For example, without walls or fences creating the border of a garden, you cannot plan the flowerbeds to line them. Another example would be a patio created by hardscaping, with softscaping offering plants and shrubs that make it an aesthetically pleasing space in which to socialise. A combination of the two elements will create the perfect garden.

Things to consider before landscaping

Before you take on a landscaping project, it is important to consider how you want your garden to function and what is important to you and your family.

Children and pets

If you have children and pets, you will want to think about how they will use your outdoor space. You may want to weigh up the options of artificial grass vs natural grass or set boundaries to keep children and pets safe from areas that are not suitable for them.

Maintenance

Think about your lifestyle when planning your garden. Do you have the desire and the time to put into your garden or would you prefer to opt for something low-maintenance? If you are generally short on time, speak to your landscaper about plants that are easy to look after and do not require a lot of upkeep. However, if you are a keen gardener with time to spare, it might be preferable to look for something a little bit more intricate with more exotic plants.

Sports/activities

If you are going to be using your garden for sports or activities then you will need to consider the space you will need and the surfaces. Perhaps you want your garden to be a functional space to practise sport with the aesthetics being a secondary consideration. If this is the case, your landscaper will speak to you about how much space will need to be dedicated to your chosen activity and how to incorporate visually pleasing additions.

Hosting/socialising

If you enjoy hosting, you will want to think about your seating area. Some people like their garden to be an extension of their home when it comes to socialising and want to create a functional, attractive area where they can relax with friends and families. You could create an outdoor kitchen, a sofa area to relax or a space for more formal dining.

Mobility

If there is someone in your household who has mobility issues, you will want to think about how they will best move around your garden with ease. If you have steps, there are options such as putting a ramp in. If you have lots of grassy areas, an attractive path can be created to allow a wheelchair to move freely.

Sustainability

If your carbon footprint is important to you, and you would like to make your garden more environmentally friendly, you could create a sustainable garden. Whilst a lot of the choices you make to be sustainable do not involve landscaping, there are things you can plan for at the beginning of your garden renovations. These include:

  • Creating a rockery to encourage wildlife
  • Choosing plants that flower all year round to assist pollinators that reside in your garden
  • Opt for reclaimed wood to line your flowerbeds
  • Have a water butt installed to collect the water to feed your garden

Do you need help with your landscaping requirements?

4thD has 20 years of landscaping experience and we are passionate about creating beautiful outdoor spaces for our clients. If you would like to speak to us about your garden, contact us today.

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