The builders have left your dream house sitting on a bare lot. Your older house has landscape flaws or lacks creative planting beds. You'd like to improve the look of the entrance, hide the well cover, or install a brick walkway. The key to the yard of your dreams is here in Landscaping from the Ground Up.With the expert advice of professional landscape designer Sara Jane von Trapp, you can increase the value of your home and turn your yard into an attractive outdoor space. In this book, von Trapp explains exactly how to assess your site for possible improvements, how to choose the options that best fit your needs, and when to call a professional to help.Following the author's practical, jargon-free advice, you will learn how to:map an existing landscape and plan for new featuresselect materials and estimate costsuse the right tools for each jobbuild retaining wallsinstall walkways and patiosdig beds to add borders and gardensselect plants for low-maintenance gardeningplant shrubs, trees, perennials, and annualsadd special features such as water and rock gardens, garden furniture, and sculptures Read Less