Make a Plan – Why a Design Will Save Installation Headaches
This is the year, you think, that your vision will come to life. You survey your backyard, knowing exactly what you want to do with it. You can see where the new patio will go, almost able to taste the cold drink you’ll sip when it’s done. You know what plants you want and where you think you’ll put them. And the lawn where the kids will play calls out to them, if only in your mind.
You could almost just start now. A trip to the masonry yard to order a pallet of those pavers you saw in a catalog followed by a stop at the garden center on the way home to grab the plants you want would be the impetus you need to roll up your sleeves and start digging.
But is it a good idea to dive right in like this? After all, the pavers are expensive and who knows how much the plants will run you by the time you grab up what you need to make the backyard lush and beautiful. Maybe there’s a better way.
Indeed there is.
Make a plan. Whether it’s something you can do on your own or if you need to hire a landscape designer, having the project on paper, to scale, will ensure your quantities are correct and that the design fits the space. There are several other benefits, as well:
- Plants’ mature size. A landscape architect or designer will know how much space to give each plant in the design. So, while the installed project might not be lush and full at first, you won’t have an overcrowding problem down the road.
- Growing conditions. A professional designer will study the site’s sun exposure, drainage patterns, and soil types to determine the right plants to use.
- Paving patterns. It can be tempting to just start placing pavers as soon as you have laid the aggregate and sand bases, but it’s a good idea to research the pattern you want and get it into the design to make sure your bundles of pavers will supply the correct ratios of shapes and sizes to create that pattern. Otherwise you could end up with a bunch of squares or rectangles in one spot, creating an undesired effect.
LANDSCAPE DESIGN – SANTA BARBARA
When it comes to creating a landscape, homeowners generally fall into two categories: those who itch to start putting plants into the ground themselves and those who recognize a need to hire out the work. Just as it wouldn’t be wise to …
5. Feature and focal points. You likely have a wish list of items you’d like to include—maybe it includes a water feature, a garden ornament, or even an entire outdoor kitchen. It’s a good idea to locate these items on the plan to scale to make sure you’re satisfied with their balance and how they relate to other elements of the plan. Documenting these locations is especially important if you don’t plan to install everything right away; it’ll ensure you leave the proper space so they don’t get left out as your outdoor space evolves.
If you are not skilled in measuring your property or creating a scaled plan, it might be a good idea to enlist the help of a landscape designer who will not only make sure your plan is realistic, but can help you better visualize your ideas before the shovels hit the ground.
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