Laying Out Your New Landscape
When planning your new landscape, the first place to start is by driving around your neighborhood and seeing what other people have done with their landscapes. Bring a sketch pad or digital camera to record things you like. Your next stop is your local nursery or garden center. Look at what plants do well in your area. Look at any displays they have setup to get an idea of which plants work well together. And don't be afraid to ask questions.
Now comes the planning stage. Get a long tape measure and some graph paper and take some accurate measurements of your yard. The more accurate you are, the more detailed you can be with your plan. Don't worry though, if you aren't perfectly accurate. Even if you pace off your yard and get some general measurements, you will be better off than just trying to guess how large an area you are working with.
After the measurements are done, you can use either graph paper and pencils or one of the new software packages that are available. I prefer the software only because it allows you to make changes very quickly and easily, and also allows you to see three-dimensional views of your design. One unique feature is that many software programs allow you to preview your landscape five-, ten-, twenty- or more years from now! This way you can see how your mature lot will look in the future! This will help prevent over-planting areas.
If you don't use your computer to lay out your new design, use a piece of graph paper and transfer your measurements to the paper. Begin by laying out the larger elements like trees and shrubs, and then adding the smaller elements around them to complement the design. Also keep in mind the relative heights of the materials you are going to use. When viewing a landscape you want taller items in the back and shorter elements in the front.
This article series will continue over the next couple of issues as I take you through the entire process from planning to planting!
Dean Novosat is an avid gardener and landscaper. He has transformed many boring yards into beautiful landscapes. He has several websites including http://www.the-garden-doctor.com, http://www.dr-landscape.com.
Latest News
Garden Calendar Seattle Post Intelligencer - ONGOING Lakewold Gardens: The 10-acre garden estate offers a haven of gardening delights, historical features, statuary, landscape architecture by Thomas ... |
Coming Up: Design, antique and gardening events Sun-Sentinel.com, FL - Seminars: "Sustainable, Florida-Friendly Landscaping" 1 pm, "Planting to Avoid Pests in Your South Florida Landscape" 5 pm today. Call 954-370-3725 or see ... |
Gardening Enthusiast Starts Landscaping 180 Blog PressReleasePoint (press release), India - With the Landscaping 180 Blog readers can stay abreast of the latest landscaping issues and gardening news! Are you seeking news on topics like ideas for ... |
Junior Master Gardener program plants seeds of horticultural ... AgNews, TX - Some of the topics covered include plant growth and development, soils and water, ecology and environmental horticulture, insects and diseases, landscaping, ... |
The last of the lawncare -- there's still time Franklin Park Herald Journal, IL - ... Boots Landscaping in Arlington Heights, "but there still are a couple of things to do." Cannon's suggestions range from lawn care to gardening tasks, ... |
Garden calendar for Dec. 4 The Columbian, WA - Naturally Beautiful Backyards: Free volunteer training in gardening and landscaping. Thursdays 6-9 pm, January 22 through March 26, at Clark County 78th ... |
Gardening: Fruity behavior Marconews, FL - Eileen Ward and her husband, Peter, own and operate Greensward of Marco Inc., a lawn maintenance and landscaping company. Besides completing horticultural ... |
Gardening Texoma: Winter flowers for spring KXII-TV, TX - This morning on Gardening Texoma, landscaping expert Jonathan Castro shows you what to do now in the winter time for beautiful spring flowers. ... |
Botanical Garden Collects Used Plastic Pots Lawn & Landscape, OH - Over the last five years, the program has further expanded to include collections from “green” industry businesses such as landscaping contractors, ... |
Weekly waterings should help plants survive through winter Las Vegas Review - Journal, NV - What advice can you give on winter care of a recently planted desert landscaping? I have lantana, Mexican bird of paradise, red fountain grass and others. ... |
Resources
-
Sorry there are no resources available at this time