Question
i have a fairly large back yard with no trees or landscaping and a nasty looking fence from the neighbors behind us.  Its too large of a yard to probably do what we would like as it would be cost prohibitive for us.  I was hoping we could get a pool at some point and then landscape around that, but i think the pool may be out of the question too.  In any case, my biggest issue is how you even start to plan on what you can afford to do to make your dollars go as far as possible to get the most coverage for the space.  I live in central florida and we range in temp from high 90's to this time of year where we get hard freeze nights, soil is quite sandy.  How do i know what i can plant that will live and how to lay it all out so it doesnt look cheap??  thanks

Answer
Marlys Bells book, 擥ardening & Landscaping in Central Florida?is available at Target.com & Amazon.com for $30 and Smarter.com for about $16匫r at your local library for the price of a gallon of gas.

Here is a link specifically for landscape ideas and plant suggestions JUST for your area:

http://www.centralfloridagarden.com/topics.htm

OR more specifically, design principles for your use right now.   See the great resource links mid-page, plus three more book suggestions that you may find at the library:

http://www.centralfloridagarden.com/topics/landscaping.htm

Sounds like you are a thrifty person, and 搒weat equity?is the best way to save on landscape costs.  The second best way is to have a plan!!! Part of the plan IS the budget.  "Cheap" comes from not knowing what you want, and trying to "design" while standing over some plants at a Home Depot nursery.

Basic design principles are applicable anywhere (see Dr. Bob抯 link, above).  Ugly fences are all over the US and screening methods are pretty standard.  Only the plants change, based on the local climate zone.

Check with the Hillsborough County Ag Extension as well for useful landscape information:

http://hillsborough.extension.ufl.edu/LawnAndGarden.html

Hope it helped a little bit.  ~Marc