With the promise of spring quickly approaching many of our customers are ready to embark on landscape design and outdoor living projects. Not only does a well-planned landscape or outdoor living space provide value to a home, it also connects our customers to nature and the great outdoors. Understanding the fundamentals of landscape planning can help homeowners select designs, plants, and features that are best suited for their needs, use of space, and personal style. Using the following tips to properly plan for a project is a sure-fire way to see the project through to completion.
Site Analysis
The first step in planning a design is to complete a thorough site analysis. The site analysis provides critical property information that will dictate final location, design, and plant selection. The analysis includes 2 basic components that are used to create a blue print of the property and final project.
- Property Assessment: The property assessment provides insight into pre-project preparation and blue print accuracy. This step includes: walking around the property to understand site-lines and views, taking note of topography and hydrozones (where water pools and flows), identifying pre-existing features (trees, fencing, sidewalks, patios, etc), and confirming property dimensions. Part of this process also involves contacting local utilities to identify locations of underground utility lines.
- Plant Assessment: The plant assessment helps guide plant selection beyond aesthetic. Since different plants grow better in different conditions identification of soil type, shade/sun ratios, and local Plant Zones will inform which plants are best suited for the project.
Personalized and Informed Design
Information from the site analysis should help guide final design and plant selection. Always start with a big vision! The landscaping team can help turn that vision into a reality. The team and homeowner collaborate to sort out wants versus needs, intended use of the space, and identify stylized touches to ensure the finished project feels like an extension of the home. Projects can be designed at any scale, and completed in phases, to allow the homeowner’s full vision to be realized. The landscaping team will continue to guide the homeowner step-by-step through the final design process. Once the details are teased out, and the finalized design is drawn into the blue print, the materials are acquired and the yard can be prepped for installation. The project has officially moved from planning to implementation!
Country Club Landscaping is committed to the planning process in order to help customer’s create their dream outdoor space. Our experienced team can complete the site analysis, provide project recommendations, draw up project designs, and complete the installation. From conception to completion we are with you every step of the way!
