Starting
your Landscape Job
Are you looking at your empty lot and not knowing
where to start in terms of landscaping?
Landscape design is a systematic process of making decisions
based on your lifestyle, desires and budget. The goal should
be to create a space that suits your needs and makes your
environment more attractive but also makes your life easier.
Here are some basic steps to follow when starting:
Think about how you want to use your space and what your
family will enjoy doing outside. Start with a wish list that
numbers (in the order of your priorities) activities like
relaxing, barbecuing, gardening, eating or having guests (including
how many).
After analysing your lifestyle and usual activities that
take place outside, it is time to analyse the site. Determining
your sun exposure, and locating shady or partially shady areas
are crucial for placing plants in the right area as well as
for placing a patio or bench in the desired type of exposure.
Watch for wind drafts (you don’t want to build your deck in
a drafty spot). Pay attention to views that you want to enjoy
and the ones you want to block to create privacy.
The next thing to pay attention to is circulation around
the house and the location of the driveway and parking. Creating
an easy flow and short access from one place to another is
important and long-term vision is crucial in this matter.
This is the information you have to gather before placing
chosen elements on paper. The creative part starts now. With
this information, you can create a bubble plan in which you
locate where approximately you would like to have a hedge,
pathway, herb garden, patio, retaining wall or a fruit tree.
Viktorie Hladik
Horticulturist
Landscape Designer
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