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 features; select materials and estimate costs; use the right tools for each job; build retaining walls; install walkways and patios; dig beds to add borders and gardens; select plants for low-maintenance gardening; plant shrubs, trees, perennials, and annuals; and add special features such as water and rock gardens, garden furniture, and sculptures.