Starting a Landscaping Design

Starting a landscaping design may be one of the biggest stumbling blocks to creating the garden or yard that you've imagined. Unless you have previous experience with designing a residential or commercial landscape, you may not know which landscaping concerns to address first, which products to buy or when to plant shrubs or flowers. So many issues come into play when you're planning a landscape that it can be hard to know where to start.

Before buying any products, selecting elements or placing plants in the landscape, it's important to plot out your design on paper. Landscaping software applications are also available that can help you visualize your yard or garden so that you can implement your design in the most efficient, cost effective manner. Once you have a plan in front of you, it will be much easier to take a step-by-step approach to designing the perfect landscape.

Drawing a Map

When you start a landscape design, draw a map of your property as it currently exists. Include the house itself, any trees or shrubs that have already been planted, flower beds, driveways, walkways. Identify the locations of telephone lines or power lines and water outlets. Include function elements, like mailboxes and fences. Now that you've plotted out the primary elements of your existing property and its boundaries, you have the elements you need to improve and expand your landscape.

In addition to giving you a visual representation of your property, creating a map will show you where your landscape needs improvement and help your define your needs. If your current driveways and walkways are poorly defined, you may need to demarcate these access areas more clearly. If you need more space for entertainment or an area to grow edible plants or flowers, these needs may occur to you as you're developing your site map. If your property boundaries are unclear, a fence or a row of wind resistant trees can help define the areas that belong to you.

Your property map will also help you determine how to arrange new trees, shrubs or flower beds to provide access to the sunlight or shade they require. If your property is exposed to excessive sunlight, consider adding new shade trees near the house. Shade trees help keep the interior of a home cool in the summer months. Impatiens, hostas and other shade-loving bedding plants can eventually be arranged at the foot of a shade tree to cover the ground and provide accents of color.

Planning Elements and Accents

Once your map of the existing property is complete, you can begin experimenting with landscaping elements in your design. Identify the areas of your front yard or back yard that might benefit from ground cover, accent gardens, benches, or a small pond. If you're considering a new patio, balcony or deck, include these elements in your design, as well. A landscaping design integrates all of the home's exterior elements, including architectural features of the house. Even practical objects like mail boxes and kennels can become part of a harmonious design.

As you proceed through the landscaping design process, you can add details to your plans. Edging, mulches, and smaller accents like ornamental rocks or statuary can be included to embellish the larger elements of your design, like flower beds, shade trees, hedges and walkways. When you're starting a landscaping design, begin with a visual representation of your property and a careful evaluation of your family's needs. Landscaping is an ongoing process that will continue as you find new ways to make your property more functional and attractive.

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