|Landscaping Information: Landscaping Design 100 Learn the Basic Principles for Landscaping your home. Do-It-Yourself Landscaping, Where to begin after site has been graded.
- Planting Beds
- Hardscape Areas
|IV. TEN RULES OF D-I-Y LANDSCAPING
- Keep front yards simple, backyards exciting.
- Plant for all four seasons.
- Concept landscaping. (Shade, Cottage, Butterfly, etc)
- Plan for the least amount of maintenance.
- Never plant grass next to the house.
- Always plan for each plant’s mature size.
- Plant in odd numbers.
- Mass planting is better than singles.
- Place larger plants in the back and smaller plants in the front.
- Use plants to soften hardscape items such as a/c, electrical boxes, sheds, ect.
|Landscaping Information: Landscaping Design 101 Learn the Basic Principles for Landscaping your home. Six easy steps to landscaping
|I. IDENTIFY THE AREA
- Entire Property
- Curb Appeal
- Back Yard
- Deck / Patio
- Screen / Privacy
II. MEASURE THE AREA
- Measure all current Structures, Sidewalks, Pathways, Plants
- Plot to scale on paper
- Size of Trees
- North / South
III. SITE CONDITIONS
- Sun / Shade (How many hours of sun per day?)
- Type of Soil (Heavy Clay / Sand / Black Dirt)
- Ph (Acid / Alkaline)
- Fertilizer (Needs Soil Amendments)
- Drainage (Holds Water / Run Off)
|IV. PLANT SELECTION
- Formal / Natural
- High / Low Maintenance
- Color Palette
- Favorite Colors
- Contrasting Foliage
- Bloom Time
- Purpose / Seasons
V. PREPARE AREA
- Clean / Roto-Till Planting Area
- Add Soil Amendments / Fertilizers
- Preen Area (Pre-emergent Herbicide)
- Larger Plants First
- Shrubs Next
- Perennials Last
|| Rules of thumb:
- Odd numbers work better; the exception is a formal design
- Plant in masses; makes a statement, more dramatic
- Continuity; repeat patterns and plants throughout
- Stair-step; high in the back, short in the front
- Plan for year round interest