Article
Site Analysis And Record Keeping
By Joey Reynolds
Analyzing your site is an important part of landscaping. Start by making a drawing of the site. Record features that are already in your landscape; such as trees, shrubs, flowers and hardscape. Record where your site receives full sun, is partly shady and full shade. Record slopes and unusual areas that may need to be corrected before you begin your landscaping. Record possible frost pockets, and extremely windy areas. Call the utility companies to mark all underground utility lines before you begin any digging. Record above ground utility lines. Consider vehicle access, walking pathways, pet areas, and children's areas. Consider outdoor activity spots, such as picnic area for grill-outs, or other activities that you may do outside. Stand back from the site and consider views; do this from all angles around your house. Consider views from inside your house; views from windows, also places you wouldn't want the view or entrance obstructed by landscape.
After drawing your site plan and considering all these elements, you can begin thinking about what kind of gardens you'd like to incorporate into your landscape. Using the before-hand analysis of your site, take measurements and add them. Keeping in mind the elements of your landscape, you can begin researching what elements you would like to add.
Something else that can be useful in planning your landcape, is to take pictures of your existing site. The pictures will not only assist you in developing a landscape plan, but they will also be interesting to refer back to after you have finished your landscape; to see how far you have come. The differences in before and after pictures can be really quite amazing.
Consider what kind of maintenance you want to have to do to your landscape. There is no such thing as a no-maintenance landscape. But you can have low, medium, or high-maintenance landscapes. Incorporate existing or future buildings into your design; such as your house, garage, a tool shed, even a greenhouse. If you have ever considered a water feature, such as a pool or pond, be sure and include that in your plans.
Now it is time for research. Make a list of the type of gardens or landscape plants you would like to have. This may include trees, shrubs, annual and perennial gardens, a vegetable garden, areas for growing fruit, even an herb garden. Perhaps you would like to have theme gardens, such as roses, or a Victorian garden, or possibly a children's garden. Your choices will depend upon your personal taste or your planned usage of your landscape.
As you develop your landscape, keep records of your progress. Add new things to your site analysis drawing as you work.