Getting started on a landscape

June 13, 5:12 PMBackyard Living ExaminerJane Gates

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Getting started on a landscape: plan it with lists and drawings

The first thing you want to do when planning your garden area is to list what you want to do with the space. Is it curbside appeal you want for the front or a dramatic statement to garner your neighbors’ admiration? Do you want something that requires minimal care or do you prefer to cultivate your horticultural skills? Do you need a play area for children or pets? Have you considered growing edibles -- vegetable gardens, fruit trees or an herb garden? Do you have special hobbies or sports you want to make room for outdoors? Or maybe a soothing space for a retreat during those rare quiet times would be more to your tastes? If you are considering construction such as building a new patio, pool or Jacuzzi, such an item should be the first item you place in your design. Be willing to allocate sufficient funds to do construction items properly. Getting a ‘deal’ on your hardscape may mean cracked cement or leaky pipes in the future. That’s no ‘deal’!

 Once you’ve jotted down your wish list on paper, then consider your budget. Some items may have to wait for the future, but can be tentatively designed in for now. For example, the pool you want in the future may be a good place for the vegetable garden now since most vegetables only last from year to year and the area can be excavated later without much loss. Both the pool and the vegetable garden will do well in full sun, so you might design with ‘now’ and ‘future’ both productively taken care of.

Next, you might want to prioritize your wish list. That way if you run out of space, it won’t be on that item you had most hoped for. Sketch out your plan on a piece of paper. Keep in mind what will work for you. A Jacuzzi far from the house will mean a chilling return on the cool days or nights when you are likely to enjoy the warm bath most. Herb gardens should be located close to the kitchen so the cook can dart out to snip precious culinary treats even in the rain, or while the recipe cooks.

Drawings don’t have to be beautiful, especially if you plan to install them yourself. If you are limited on communications or plan to have someone else install your ideas, then a well rendered drawing is advisable. Contractors appreciate a plan to scale, and the more detailed, the more likely you will get what you want. Plans can be costly – anywhere from $600 to many thousands of dollars, depending on area, the detail of the plan and the creativity of the designer. But a good plan can save you many times the cost by avoiding mistakes or having to rip out expensive work later. So, before getting started on your landscape, stop;  think it out, design it, and make preparations so you save money and get the landscape you always wanted!

Landscape it right the first time!

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