How do you plan to use the space?

Do you want an area for entertaining? If so, how often and for how many? Do you need space for kids to play or for a pet to romp? Think through what you plan to do in your yard before planning your project.

How much time do you want to spend on landscape maintenance?

Be honest with yourself about how much time you will spend working in the garden. Don't plant a high-maintenance rose garden if you barely have enough time to mow the lawn!

Discuss maintenance requirements of various flowers, trees and shrubs with the staff at your local nursery or garden center and make selections accordingly. And, no matter how much you love to garden, look for disease and insect resistant plant varieties so you can avoid the time, expense and potential environmental problems associated with pesticides.

Where are your views?

Think about the spots in your garden that you look at the most and make those your priority. Do you look out into the yard from the kitchen sink or from the dining room table? Is there a spot in the yard that stands out when you are sitting on your deck? What about the most frequently used entrances to your home? Pick the most frequently viewed spot and spruce it up first, then tackle your other priorities.

How will the garden look in the fall and winter?

Flowers are the showiest part of your landscape, but the blooms may be short-lived. Consider incorporating evergreens, ornamental grasses, shrubs and trees with berries and/or beautiful bark into your garden plan. With careful plant selection, you can create a garden that is a pleasure even when the growing season is over.

Don't forget to budget!

Before you start on a project, decide how much you are willing to spend and set priorities accordingly. Consider breaking an overall makeover into phases to avoid overwhelming your workforce and your pocketbook.