Spec PlanV: Landscaping
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Introduction
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landscape planning
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patios and decks
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outbuildings
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getting started
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introduction
Spec Plan-V looks at the landscaping and other gardening needs. Items to consider are flower beds, patio or deck, irrigation systems, and any outside structures.
Page Topics:
planA: home styles
planU: other amenities
First Topic: Landscape Planning
spec plan-V: landscaping
Spec Plan V: Landscape Planning
what you need to know —
The goal is to make your yard a neighborhood showcase. But note there are many variables to consider that include the budget, skills, the climate of your region, your personal design tastes, and how you'll use your yard and who will be using it.
The good news is that whether you're starting from scratch or updating your old, outdated and overgrown outdoor space, there are certain principles that should guide your landscape design.
Plan it accordingly, by allocating space you need to show, play and entertain. Make sure to select the right vegetation for your region and utilizing the sun where it crosses your property.
Landscape planning involves the following
1) Landscape Layout:
This is where you create and allocate space you need to show, play and entertain.
There are guiding principles to follow; and these principals can be applied by any gardener, amateur or professional, and they result in a more successful, satisfying design.
You can still get creative, but create in a way that incorporates tried and tested methods to make the most of your outdoor space.
| view this guide for assistance (new win) | |
| 7 Rules to Follow When Doing DIY Landscaping | |
2) Plantings:
Decide the kind of trees, shrubs, grasses, perennial and annual flowers for back, side and front yard areas.
As for flowers and decorative shrubs, assign designated areas by using flower beds, borders, container, or other that separates the flowers from other parts of the landscape.
Will you be having a vegetable garden and/or fruit orchard? Make sure to select the right vegetation for your region and utilizing the sun where it crosses your property.
| view this guide for assistance (new win) | |
| Choose the Right Landscaping Design | |
3) Path and Walkways:
Will there be walkways or pathways that that lead to certain areas of your landscape? Pathways include gravel, stepping stones, sand, bridges, etc.
Pathways can form some artistic look that adds to the overall design of the landscape.
| view this guide for assistance (new win) | |
| Viewing Your Landscape Using a Garden Pathway | |
4) Water Features:
Water features includes ponds, streams, fountains, and waterfalls. These are additions that can easily add value to your landscape plan.
| view this guide for assistance (new win) | |
| Using a Garden Waterfall in Your Landscaping | |
5) Landscape Lighting:
Landscape lighting systems use path lighting, flood lighting, pond lighting, up lighting, and more.
If you are planning to add lighting, you should plan this early in your landscape development so that wiring can be laid and covered before planting turf and gardens.
Make sure to draw to the exact position where the wired has been laid and covered. You may need to reference these drawing in the event you need to dig in the area where the wired has been buried.
| view this guide for assistance (new win) | |
| What You Should Know About Landscape Lighting | |
Landscape Decor:
Decor is anything that adds color or design to your landscape. Be careful on the amount of decor you use; you don't want it to become tacky.
Decor also include mailbox, flag pole or flag stations, ornaments, statues, gazing balls, and other.
| view this guide for assistance (new win) | |
| Some Garden Decor Tips For Your Landscape | |
Landscaping Ideas
Some ideas in landscaping design
| Garden Design Ideas (from google images) | ||||
| Front Yard | landscaping | flower beds | trees/shrubs | |
| Foundation | landscaping | flower beds | trees/shrubs | |
| Side House | landscaping | flower beds | trees/shrubs | |
| Back Yard | landscaping | flower beds | trees/shrubs | |
| Pathways | walkways | garden path | stone paths | |
| Lighting | front yard | foundation | backyard | |
Visit our Home Improvement Showcase:
Ideas for Landscaping
Analyzing Landscaping Ideas addressing:
| additional information | |
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topics: landscaping |
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topics: garden planting |
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planning: garden design and landscaping |
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planning: maintenance |
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best sellers: landscaping |
spec plan-V: landscaping
Decks and Patios (and pools)
what you need to know —
Decks, patios, and potentially a swimming pool are the focal points of any backyard landscaping plans. You generally begin with those focal points and build your landscaping plan around them:
About Decks
Decks have a higher resale value over patios - but they likewise require more maintenance and care. There are regular decks, tiered decks, floating decks, decks with railings, etc.
The size of your deck will depend on the size of the backyard.
Patios:
Patios are at ground level and are generally made of concrete, brick, or stone. If the back door is elevated up, you can build a porch-like patio with steps leading down to the patio floor.
Patios can be quite elaborate with designs that incorporate entertainment areas and ponds.
Swimming Pools:
Backyard swimming pools are quite large and can take up much of your backyard space. So you should plan the pool first and then combine it with a patio or deck and add other landscaping that surrounds the pool.
You have in-ground pool and above-ground pools. If in-ground, you surround the pool with the extension of the patio. If above ground, you can build a deck around the pool to make it appear as if in-ground.
Visit our Home Improvement Showcase:
Ideas for Decks-Patios-Pool
Analyzing Decks and Patio Ideas addressing:
| additional information | |
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topics: decks-patios-pools |
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planning: decks-patios-pools |
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best sellers: decks n' patios |
spec plan-V: landscaping
Outbuildings and Structures
what you need to know —
Outbuildings includes outside structures that become part of your landscape plan. The amount of structures all depends on the landscape size.
Smaller landscapes may have room for one structure such as a shed; a larger area may include a shed, gazebo, and playground.
Outbuildings:
These include the following:
- garden sheds, storage sheds, tool sheds, wood sheds, she-sheds
- guest houses, pool houses
- green houses
- detached garages and car ports
- workshops
- barns
Garden Structures:
Garden structures and landscape elements that add to you landscape design. These include:
- gazebos
- pergolas
- arbors and trellises
- patio coverings, ramadas
- fences
Playground / Entertainment:
Depends on your lifestyle. But if you have children at home, or if you are an outdoor sports person, you may want to design a landscape plan that includes a play area for the kids and family.
Types of playground:
- play area with play house, swing set, climbing bars, etc.
- tree house
- tennis court
- basketball court
- volleyball court
- batting cage
- driving range
- playing field for games, lawn games, running
| Play Elements (from google images) | ||||
| Play | playhouse | swing set | tree house | |
| Courts | tennis | basketball | volleyball | |
| Lawn | games | batting cage | driving range | |
Types of outdoor entertainment:
- fire pit
- outdoor kitchen
- outdoor fireplace
- outdoor media center
- outdoor bar
| Entertainment Elements (from google images) | ||||
| Fire | fire pit | sit around fire | fireplace | |
| Cooking | grill station | outdoor kitchen | pizza oven | |
| Entertain | outdoor bar | string lights | media | |
Visit our Home Improvement Showcase:
Ideas for Garden Outbuildings
Analyzing Garden Outbuilding Ideas addressing:
| additional information | |
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topics: outdoor structures |
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planning: outbuildings & structures |
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best sellers: outdoor play |
spec plan-V: landscaping
Getting Started
what you need to do —
Step 1: develop the plan
- take a completed draft of your yard n' garden spec sheet to your architect or landscaper, who will can customize a landscaping plan or revise an existing plan that meets your specs.
- use your spec sheet to bid the landscaper project out to contractors
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landscaping spec sheet |
Step 2: get required building permits
- It will either be up to you or the contractor to obtain each permit.
all about permits - Check with your local jurisdiction regarding site and change permits:
local government for permit information
Step 3: find pre-screened contractors and other service providers
| Find Yard n' Garden Services | |||
| Landscape Design | Sprinkler Systems | ||
| Metal Work | Water Features | ||
| Gazebos | Play Equipment | ||
| Outbuildings | Fences | ||
| top-rated, pre-screened local contractors | |||
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FREE: download contractor selection | ||
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spec plan-V: landscaping
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