Idaho experiences very hot summers, cold winters, and varying precipitation levels.
Recently, it has been undergoing some drought seasons.
These tough times have been posing some shortcomings to homeowners.
This is especially true in regards to their landscaping.
Due to such challenges, creating an all-year-round outdoor living space in Idaho requires a lot of planning.
Landscapers have to take into account the seasonal changes, diverse landscapes, and unique environmental conditions.
Let’s Plant Some Year-Round Plants For You
This article gives information regarding the best way to create an all-year-round outdoor living space in Idaho, regardless of the climate.
Choose Drought-Tolerant Plants
As aforementioned, Idaho is currently undergoing some drought seasons. As we all know, drought can lead to the death of plants. This is because of the extreme heat and lack of water.
You need to protect your plants from dying because of such conditions. The best way to do this is to consider drought-tolerant plants. These ones are able to survive extreme climate. They will thus be able to wait for favorable weather without showing any signs of drying up.
Some examples of such plants include Blue Fescue, Sagebrush, and Yarrow. These are native and adaptive options, which will not only survive the tough dry months, but will also make your landscape look amazing at all times.
Cold-Resistant Landscaping
Extreme heat during summer is not the only challenge that plants have to undergo in Idaho. The reasoning behind this is that extremely cold winters can also be a problem for your landscaping.
Very snowy winters can lead to death of plants. Popular culprits for this are frost damage and winter desiccation. Snow accumulation and root damage can also lead to the same.
Some cold-resistant landscaping options that you can consider include ornamental grasses, evergreens, and durable hardscaping. These ones will withstand the harsh winter months. They will also help to add color and texture to your outdoors.
Year-Round Outdoor Features
Landscaping isn’t just about plants because it can also mean having other features such as pergolas and firepits, which help extend outdoor usability in all seasons.
A feature like a covered patio or pergola provides ample shade. This can come in handy during the hot summer months. It will also offer shelter from snow during winter. On its part, a firepit will help provide warmth and ambiance. This is especially when you want to relax outside during chilly nights. You may also want to have weather-resistant furniture with cozy blankets. This will offer year-round comfort when chilling outside.
You may also want to add water features like a heated birdbath or a pond with a bubbler to help keep things lively outside while also preventing freezing.
Water Conservation Solutions
Since water supply is continually going down in Idaho, it makes sense to have water conservation solutions to help ensure that your plants have water all year round.
One solution that you can make use of here entails xeriscaping. This technique entails minimizing the use of water. It does this by having drought-resistant plants, gravel pathways, and rock gardens. You can also have drip irrigation systems. These ones help deliver water directly to roots. This means very little water wastage. You may also consider collecting rainwater using barrels and permeable surfaces.
Water management features don’t have to be boring. To add some appeal, consider having a pond. This one can be made to withstand the harsh conditions of Idaho.
Lighting and Ambiance
Lighting is key for outdoor living areas. In fact, proper lighting can come in quite handy in a region like Idaho. This is because the region’s daylight hours change drastically between summer and winter. For instance, you can install string lights. These ones can drape over your patio or deck. At this point, they can assist you in accomplishing a magical touch. This is even in times of snow. Another example is solar path lights. These ones work great during long summer days. The reason for this is that they charge in the sun and glow at night.
Although Idaho is an amazing place to reside, the climate here may present a couple of challenges to homeowners who want to have a fantastic-looking outdoor living space. Due to the extreme conditions, achieving a perfect-looking landscape can prove a challenge to many.
However, with the aforementioned tips such as opting for drought-resistant plants, choosing cold-resistant landscaping, adding extra features to the outdoors, and having some good lighting, you have the potential to create a visually appealing outdoor living space despite Idaho’s climate.
To achieve optimal results, you might want to hire professional landscapers like us to help you achieve your dream home.
