Urban backyard landscaping to some, might not look too difficult. For me on the other hand, this could be a project that eats up more time than I have. It’s time once again to turn to the pros, and of course, separating out the pros from the.. cons?

When it comes down to getting things done in a timely manner, aometimes the best way to save money is to recognize that you need a pro. My skills at landscaping (beyond keeping indoor plants alive and healthy) are fairly.. minimal (at best). As with any contractor search, there are some online sources of information that allow you to get up and running much quicker than if asking the local Home Depot guy.

Look to professional associations including the:

• Association of Professional Landscape Designers;
• The Associated Landscape Contractors of America; and
• The American Society of Landscape Architects.

Tips:

• Prices for trees and shrubs are highest in the spring and early summer, better deals can be found in the fall (And the fall isn’t too late to plant, even in the Northeast).
• Tie in energy saving designs — carefully positioned trees can cut as much as 25% off your summer cooling bill. The EPA also recommends planting shrubs or trees to shade your air-conditioning units — a shaded A/C uses less energy.
• Keep in mind that as with any home improvements, this can turn into a multi-year project. If you’re not seeing exactly the items you’re looking for, you might have better luck next year.

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