There’s no way around it: Cheyenne’s climate is tough. Its high elevation and location on the windswept plains means the air is dry, and the wind blows year-round, further dehydrating the soil. Winters can be long and cold, with sudden blizzards that can drop several inches or more of snow. But the good news is, you can still plant a great garden, have a beautiful lawn, create curb appeal, and make use of native elements to create amazing landscaping in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Here are 3 tips to help you nail your yard’s look!

Know Your Hardiness Zone

If you’re thinking about planting a garden, the first thing you’ll want to take a look at is which plants will grow in Cheyenne. To do this, it’s helpful to know which hardiness zone you’re in  – and we’ll tell you: it’s zone 5! On average, the growing season in zone 5 is from the middle of May to the middle of October, which is pretty respectable, especially for Wyoming. However, you’ll still want to factor in things like how resistant the plant is to wind, how much space you want to fill, and its water needs.

Some beautiful flowers that grow well in zone 5 include Daffodils, Hyacinths, Delphiniums, Crocuses, Irises, Lilies, Shasta Daisies, Zinnias, and Tulips. If you’re looking for a more bushy type of plant, Lilacs, Peonies, Butterfly Bushes, and Hydrangeas are all great options as well. With the proper care, these flowers can all contribute hugely to your landscaping and increase your curb appeal with minimal maintenance.

Make Use of Native Elements

The really cool thing about Wyoming is it’s so naturally beautiful. And all you have to do to enjoy that beauty is take a day trip over to Curt Gowdy or Vedauwoo. But why not bring some of those native elements into your own backyard? Natural landscaping in Cheyenne, Wyoming works really well because of the abundance of wildflowers, grasses, rocks, trees, and other elements that already grow here on their own.

To save on water, you can plant flowers such as Black-Eyed Susans, Columbines, Asters, Coneflowers, Yarrow, Daisies, Morning Glories, and Phlox. Not only that, but you can also add native grasses for an extra Wyoming-esque touch. (Note that these plants and grasses are very happy in this environment, and will require attention and pruning to make sure they don’t get out of hand). Trees such as pines, aspens, and cottonwoods also do well in Cheyenne’s climate, and are great for shade too! Many people also take inspiration from our local geology, using granite and other rocks to add to their landscaping. The best thing about using natural elements in your landscaping? You’ll have to use much less water and do less maintenance!

Stay On Top Of Your Lawn Care

Taking care of your lawn is a lot like getting in shape – it’s relatively easy to maintain, but if you let it go, it’ll take a lot more work later down the road to get it back to where it was. As we’re all well aware, our lawns are all dormant for 6-7 months of the year, which makes maintenance during that time really easy! It’s the other couple months that can be tricky.

The best time to start is in the spring, when you can get a jump on everything from aeration to weed removal. Starting to mow early on will help train your lawn to behave throughout the rest of the year. Taking the time to aerate will help it be more lush and absorb water better throughout the summer and fall, reducing the amount of water you’ll have to use. And fertilizing your lawn early in the spring just after it’s started to grow will help your landscaping stay healthy.

There are a lot of ways to make your landscaping in Cheyenne, Wyoming a success. The suggestions above are a few of our favorites, and can all be done yourself. If you need a little help, our professionals are all experienced in the area of landscape creation and maintenance, and would be happy to help you create and keep the lawn of your dreams! Give us a call at (307) 772-1322 for the professional, friendly help you need.