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Decorating around the garden
Straight Talk On – Decorating Around the Garden Do you live near a park? Most people do – there are so many around now. All levels of government recognize the value of a green environment. And, of course, if people know that government has...
Is Landscape Fabric Even Necessary In Landscaping?
Landscaping fabrics are by no means an answer to a no
maintenance landscape. I know a lot of folks are under the
impression that they can simply buy it, place it, cover it, and
forget it. Forever.
First. There is no such thing as a no...
Landscape Design
Here are just a few tips when considering re-vamping your front yard. - rip out all of the old shrubs and evaluate which foundation plants(trees or ornamentals) will stay. Never try and mix old shrubs with new shrubs. Everyone will notice a ten...
Using Landscape Design Software
Using Landscape Design Software
One option for would-be landscapers is to plan out their design
on landscape software. Most of the time this software has great
features that can help you decide where to put different plants,
and how...
Water Conservation For Gardeners
There are many ways gardeners can plan and save on water usage
and water requirements in the landscape.
Sometimes the old fashion methods are not used. The simplest
that I know is like playing cards and gambling. Gamble and plant
early....
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Laying Out Your New Landscape
When planning your new landscape, the first place to start is by driving around your neighborhood and seeing what other people have done with their landscapes. Bring a sketch pad or digital camera to record things you like. Your next stop is your local nursery or garden center. Look at what plants do well in your area. Look at any displays they have setup to get an idea of which plants work well together. And don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Now comes the planning stage. Get a long tape measure and some graph paper and take some accurate measurements of your yard. The more accurate you are, the more detailed you can be with your plan. Don’t worry though, if you aren’t perfectly accurate. Even if you pace off your yard and get some general measurements, you will be better off than just trying to guess how large an area you are working with.
After the measurements are done, you can use either graph paper and pencils or one of the new software packages that are available. I prefer the software only because it allows you to make changes very quickly and easily, and also allows you to see three-dimensional views of your design. One unique feature is that many software programs allow you to preview your landscape five-, ten-,
twenty- or more years from now! This way you can see how your mature lot will look in the future! This will help prevent over-planting areas.
If you don’t use your computer to lay out your new design, use a piece of graph paper and transfer your measurements to the paper. Begin by laying out the larger elements like trees and shrubs, and then adding the smaller elements around them to complement the design. Also keep in mind the relative heights of the materials you are going to use. When viewing a landscape you want taller items in the back and shorter elements in the front.
This article series will continue over the next couple of issues as I take you through the entire process from planning to planting!
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Find more of Mr. Novosat's writings on his own blog at http://www.novosat.us/wp
About the Author
Dean Novosat is an avid gardener and landscaper. He has transformed many boring yards into beautiful landscapes. He has several websites including http://www.the-garden-doctor.com and http://www.dr-landscape.com.
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