5 Steps to Creating A Landscaping Plan

Landscaping around your home can seem like a daunting project-especially if you're starting with a blank canvas. Whether you're building a new house, cleaning up after a storm, or planning a complete renovation of your existing landscape, sometimes the hardest is part about creating a plan is knowing where to start.

Step 1: Make an Idea List

Any large project is easy to accomplish if you take it one step at a time. The first step in creating a beautiful landscape is to develop a base plan. Start by putting pen to paper and jotting down a simple list of your preferred outdoor features. Have you always wanted a curved walkway, a gazebo, or BBQ pit? Do you want a pond, need a place for the kids to play, or need to fence in your yard for the dog? Do you hope to have a vegetable garden or plant fruit trees? Develop your list keeping in mind those ideas that can be accomplished now or your plans for the near future. A good rule of thumb is to start out simple (in both labor and maintenance) and progress as your time and budget allows.

Step 2: Create Your Base Plan

To create a base plan, you need to draw out your home and property features on a piece of paper. Features should include the placement of your house, your garage and driveway, property lines, overhead utilities, existing trees and plants, and any other important topographical features. Make sure you indicate directions, so you can consider sun exposure, wind patterns, etc. You can use plain paper or graphing paper, but don't worry about this being exactly to scale.

Step 3: Create Your Major Landscape Areas Diagram

Most home landscapes consist of three major sections: a public area, a private area, and a service area. The public area is usually the area in the front of the house that is visible from the street. Ideally, this part of your landscaping will blend seamlessly in with other homes in your neighborhood. The private area is your outdoor living area. This is where you and your family are likely to spend most of your time. The service area is usually located on the side or rear of your property. This may be near an alley where your garbage cans are stored or storage sheds are located. Areas may overlap or have multiple uses.To create this diagram, lay a piece of tracing paper on top of your Base Plan and draw an outline around your three major landscape areas.

Step 4: Create Your Final Plan

Don't think of this as your final Final Plan, but rather your Final Plan that is subject to change as your desires and budget change. Use a second piece of tracing paper to lay on top of your Base Plan and Landscape Area diagrams. On this piece of paper, draw desired elements from your Idea List in the appropriate areas. At this stage, you may want to play around with several layouts. You may also find that some of the elements from your Idea List may not work after all. As you experiment, consider convenience, maintenance, and accessibility.

Step 5: Executing Your Plan

Once you have your final plan, it is time to execute it. If you plan to add trees, remember that shade trees take longer to mature so it's best to plant them before you worry about shrubs and perennials. Next, consider your public area. An attractive walkway and foundation plantings consisting of shrubs and perennial plants will bring a warm and inviting feeling to the entry of your home.

More Tips:

• Framing your house with shade trees can also save you energy. Plant trees where they will be most effective in providing winter windbreaks and summer shade-usually the north or northeast (windbreak), or south or southwest (shade) corners of the house.
• Avoid planting trees directly in front of your house. Frame it with trees, don't hide it. Remember, the front door is the focal point of your public area.
• Factor in overhead power lines when planting trees or creating play areas for children.
• Screens, fences, or hedges are a wonderful way to keep less attractive areas like the service area hidden.
• Creating borders of plants will leave uninterrupted space in the lawn and make it easier to mow.
• Select trees and plants for year-round interest.
• Don't forget to plan for future occupants. Children, handicap accessibility and future property owners should all be taken into consideration.