Landscape design

Designing landscapes can be a fun way to bring both added comfort and relaxation to any who enjoy the outdoors and gardening.

Tutorial

From a functional veggie or herb garden to a xeriscaped yard, landscape design covers quite a bit and can be overwhelming. Just remember that you should plan your space with time in mind.

The first step is to do research on plants that you find attrtactive to you. Find foliage and flowers that include colors you like and which require the amount of maintenance time you are able to provide.

After you have some plants in mind as to what colors, fragrances, and foliage you enjoy, take in mind the amount of light your backyard gets as well as the relatoin of the path ofthe sun so that you know where to plant shade plants and where to plant those plants that like hot days.

Using graph paper can help you set up a plotted diagram of your backyard and it will help you layout your design. There are programs you can buy which assist you with this the same way graph paper would and the paper is less expensive (meaning you have more money to pay for plants). After you have a basic diagram of your backyard, if at all possible, make a few copies on a copy machine so that you can put on paper your diffreent design ideas. This will allow you a trial and error process so that you aren't doing this as you lay plants down.

When deciding on where plants should go in your design, remember to place tall plants in the back and shorter plants up front, leaving areas for some more showy plants as highlights (usually with showy foliage or flowers) for splashes of color or variation in folliage. You may also want to stagger larger plants in your line of sight from where you will see your landscape most often to give a layered screening effect. Doing this will help give more depth to your yard even if it is shallow. Think of how this works in nature. Plants that slightly block your view to whats behind it will give a little mystery to the area and will make the viewer want to walk through the space to see whats on the other side. Also remember that variety is good, if not GREAT!, but in moderation so that you keep to a general theme in the landscape. Research different color types so that you choose plants that go well together. Example, some like pink and white flowers together. Or yellow and white. Or yellow and blues (this is one of my favorites). If you can, look for an example of a color wheel and corrdinating colors online to help you out with this process.

Another aspect to keep in mind is fragrance. Many flowers and herbs can provide a delectable pallate of scents to entertain your senses. Rosemary and Lavendar are a couple herbs that smell great.

Soil is another issue to be mindful of. It is said that it takes a serious gardener approx 6 years to work the soil to it's best. Who has that kind of time. Add as much organic material into the soil as you can. This is one thing you can't get too much of. Organic soil amendment adds a great amount of nutrients and water retaining properties into the landscaped space so that plants can be as healthy as possible. The more you add, the more fertile the soil will be.

If you re planting trees or shrubs, plant them where they will be most useful. Remember to take into account their mature size so that you don't end up having to remove or severely cut it back as it gets older. You see this with trees that have been planted under power lines and the trees look deformed from heavy pruning to keep them away from the power lines above. Also take into account any pipes or other underground obstructions so as not to damage them and make more work for yourself. Another aspect is the root system of larger plants and trees. If you plant a weeping willow for example, be sure to do this away from the house and not where the roots can get to a water source. It will break pipes cement, and anything else to get to water that it detects.

Once you have a rough idea on which plants you are going to use and where you plan on spacing them, plan an irrigation system so that you are not left with uneven watering and suffering plants.

If you have room, try to create spaces where people can linger. A sitting area in one part, a place under the shade by a fountain at another spot. Having several places to enjoy will provide more interest and variety for other plants to be featured. Use lighting to give plants a flare at night. Up lighting on a Japanese maple, esp if close to a wall, provides a living sculpture as well as a light and shadow display on the surface it reflects off of.

If you have animals, remember to plan your landscape accordingly so that they don't destroy your hard work.

If you plan on having a water feature, be sure to give it approx half shade from the sun so that you don't have to keep filling up the fountain or pond, and this is the best suitable amount of sun for fish and other's to flourish as well.

There are so many aspects to planning a landscaped space, just remember to take it one step at a time.

Good luck and enjoy,

Michael Candelaria

Inside-Out Designs