Backyard Designs

I just visited Amish country & their yards are BEAUTIFUL. They have no weeds, no trash, very nice landscape & lovely plants. I really wanted to get my yard in shape. Any ideas on ANY yard tips? from keeping weeds out to flowers that grow well in zone 6 ( I think).
Just anyyy yard tip, or landscape tricks.
Any flower companies you use? Cheap yard ornaments?
I have an above ground pool. Any ideas of how to landscape around it?.

THANK YOU !!!! pleasee help

I know mulch is good for adding more nutrients in the ground, but in the long run mulch becomes VERY expensive. Rocks on the other hand look great and are cheaper in the longrun, but they don’t add nutrients in the ground like mulch does.

I have a large space - 26′ - along the front of my house. I think I’m going to make the bed about 3 or 4′ in width. What’s the best way to lay out my garden? Should it be symmetrical or just bunched and more free (like a cottage garden)? I’m thinking of using Delphinium, Echinacea, Daylilies, Oriental Lilies, small shrub roses (2′x3′) and then some small ornamental grasses and 2-4″ border flowers in the front. I think I’m also going to put a weeping redbud on the left side. Do you have any ideas for how I should do this… I’m at a loss!!!

we have nothing to start with….backyard will be ripped up.
any websites or advice someone can share?? we are bad gardeners so dont want flowers everywhere (they will just die!) need something low maintenance.