PLANNING YOUR NEXT LANDSCAPING PROJECT

cdavis • May 30, 2020

This is a super simple guide to help you plan your next landscaping project, before you speak with a landscape designer. It will give you some ideas on what type of plants and trees are best for the area where you live, as well as how much time it takes to grow them from seedlings to full size mature plant. You can use this information when planning your own landscape design or if you need advice about which plants would be good in your garden.

What do you want your new landscape to look like?

 

Do you have any specific features that you’d like incorporated into your yard such as a pond, water feature, garden shed/workshop, firepit , patio, outdoor kitchen , pool patio , playground equipment, fencing, stone walkway, etc.?  Or are looking to design an outliving space? Outdoor living spaces are a great way to enjoy the outdoors , and they can be used for many different purposes. They’re also an excellent place to entertain guests or just relax with your family after work. Keep in mind before beginning any project, determine approximately how much money you plan to spend and the increased home value you expect to receive.

 

Where am I going to put my landscape?

Once you’ve decided what you’d like to see in your yard you’re ready to start thinking about where you’re going to place it. Think about the sun’s position throughout the day and also remember that different areas of your yard receive more sunlight than others depending on their location within your home. For example, if you live near an east facing wall, you could choose to build a patio right up against this wall. This way you’ll enjoy plenty of natural lighting during the daytime without having to worry about artificial lights being used at night.

How big should each part of my landscape be?

You may not know exactly how large your backyard needs to be but there are several factors that determine how big your landscape should be. The first thing to consider is whether you have enough space for everything you want. If you don’t think you’ll ever get around to doing something then make sure you leave room for future plans. Also take into consideration any existing features in your yard such as fences, walls, patios etc. These might limit how far certain parts of your yard extend so try to keep these in mind while designing your layout.

What kind of soil does my land have?

The quality of soil plays a huge role in determining just how healthy your plants will become over time. Soil with lots of clay content tends to hold water better than sandy soils. Clay based soils tend to dry out quicker than sandier ones because they absorb less moisture. When choosing plants for your yard you should always select those suited to the conditions of your particular soil. Some plants require very fertile soil whereas other types thrive only in poor.

 

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