Landscape Planning & Design

When improving the land that surrounds your home or business, having a clear plan will keep the project focused, save you money, reduce problems and ulitmately enhance the outcome of your investment. A careful strategy pays dividends well beyond the initial cost of the plan.

Site Analysis: The first step in the planning process is to gather all the information pertinent to planting and construction. Typical information we look for to complete a site analysis includes: property lines, easements and restrictions, existing structures and vegetation, exposure, slopes, soil types, overhead and underground utility lines, interior aspects, pedestrian and vehicular circulation, and drainage.

Site Assessment: Careful review of the site analysis with the property owner and the designer is an important step to be completed before moving forward with the site assessment. The site assessment portion of the design process allows the property owner and designer to identify assets and problems with the property and apply values to the existing conditions. "These trees provide shade." "I like this view." "Can we hide the propane tanks?" etc.

Priorities: The establishment of priorities often overlaps with the site assessment stage. This is a very important phase of planning when the property owner shares their needs, goals and hopes for the project. Important ideas to consider when establishing landscaping priorities include both the aesthetic and the practical. Aesthetic considerations include things like scale of the project, sizes, colors, textures, forms, seasonal interest and relationship