Fueled by the rapid rate of new home construction throughout
Pinal County, landscaping of building lots has become a hot topic of discussion
in neighborhoods, plant nurseries and home owner association meetings.
If you are in the process of creating a new landscape from
scratch, or are thinking about giving a new look to an existing landscape, here
are some ideas to consider before you turn that first spadeful of soil.
“Get it right the first time!” is an important rule of
landscaping. Landscapes are long term
investments that can provide real, tangible benefits in years to come. Mistakes can be costly and frustrating if
plants die or have to be removed for future projects.
The importance of Southern Arizona landscapes can be
measured in several ways. One method is
to look at the increase in the property’s value after the landscape is
installed and complete. It is a well
known fact that trees and shrubs add value to the home and enhances the
investment of the owner.
Another benefit of a well landscaped home is the resale
potential. Owners of properly landscaped
homes often find that it is the landscape, all things otherwise equal, that
seals the deal when it comes time to sell the home.
Perhaps the most important reason for spending a little
extra time on the outdoor landscaping is best demonstrated during the cooler
months of the year when great weather entices parties and family projects
outdoors. Attractive and inviting
landscapes can bring pizzaz to desert Southwest living and open up confined
indoor living spaces to the outdoors.
The creation of outdoor living spaces can be as simple as the
strategic placement of trees and shrubs for shade and screening, or as
intricate as a formal garden. Some may
want to attract birds and butterflies while others want a quiet refuge from the
hustle and bustle of the day. There may
be an outdoor play area to screen or enhance while others may want their
landscape to take on the appearance and function of a carefully decorated
outdoor living room. The secret to
unlocking the usefulness and beauty of any landscape is proper design.
Good landscape designs blend the placement of plants with
the location and style of new or existing constructed features like gazebos,
porches, ponds and decks. Done
correctly, the design will ensure that both plants and features work together
to accomplish the desired goal. Landscape
design is, in reality, a type of art that combines the beauty, balance and form
of plants with the look and feel of permanent structures to create attractive
and pleasant surroundings.
Doing the job too quickly and not putting enough thought
into the design are major causes of mistakes in the landscape, and mistakes are
often costly in time and money lost.
Placing an invasive tree too close to a septic pool or sewer line is a
common error. Another mistake is to
place large plants in tight spots, such as a saguaro cactus underneath the
eaves of a home, or a large tree in a crowded area. These errors often end in damaged structures
or upset neighbors.
Proper planning will minimize mistakes. If you want a professional job, consider hiring
a landscape architect or landscape designer.
They have training and experience to help them know what will fit into
the available space and how to make good use of plant materials. The more complex the design of the landscape,
the more one needs the help of someone who knows how to do the job right.
There are many great landscapes, however, that have been
designed and installed by do-it-yourself gardeners. If you fall in this category, here are the
basic steps that you will need to follow.
First, draw up an accurate plan to scale showing the
location and outline of the house and other permanent structures on the
lot. The drawing should indicate the
location and description of existing vegetation, rock formations, changes in
grade, direction of slope, sidewalks, storage buildings, patios, pools and
gazebos. These should all be drawn to
scale.
Once the rough outline is complete, everyone who will have
an interest in the landscape should sit down, children as well as adults, and
decide what activities the landscape should support. Vegetable gardens, flower beds, fruit trees
and shade trees may be important. Is
there a need for a playground with swings, or for a sandbox? All interests, hobbies and needs should be
considered, and set down on paper. From
this information will come the ideas for the various functions or activities
that will take place in the outdoor setting.
Next, start planning the basic elements of the
landscape. These include the public area
that is seen by people on the street, the living area for outdoor activities,
and the service area for garbage receptacles, wood piles, stacks of lumber, and
other storage functions. Determine the
space that will be needed for each and how their appearance will either be
highlighted or screened according to specific need.
Another element to be considered is water use. In the past, landscapes have not been planned
with water conservation in mind and these types of landscapes have often
resulted in high water bills. In today’s
world of increasing demand for water resources, landscapes using
desert-adapted, low water use plants can help cut the water bill without
sacrificing livability, especially if the oasis concept is used.
Oasis-type landscaping concentrates water-loving plants around
a central living area such as a small lawn, or a fountain. As one moves away from the oasis, the plants
gradually decrease in water need toward the fringes until the landscape becomes
a standard desert-type vegetation requiring little additional water.
Climate and wind control are also important functions of a
desert landscape. Shading, shelter from
dust storms, passive heating and cooling, and garden microclimates are types of
functions that should be considered.
Plants also make good screens and shelters, not only as
foundation plants, but also for privacy.
The proper plant in a given location can not only increase the serenity
of a landscape but also add a touch of professionalism to the design.
Once the needs have been determined, it is time to assemble
the plan. Start with the basic outline
of the home and essential structures, then begin placing the various landscape
elements into that plan. It is always easier to consider the building lot as a
cube of space, much like a room. The
ground is the floor, and the property lines are its walls. The ceiling is the canopy created by
structures, tree overhang, or the sky. A
good landscape will be like a well arranged room. The effect is pleasing and you do not have to
stumble over anything to get where you want to go.
The final plan should be an extension of you. By selecting the correct plants and arranging
them in a workable yet pleasing manner, the finished project will be not only
comfortable but satisfying.
If you have questions, you can reach Rick Gibson or one of
the Master Gardeners at the Cooperative Extension office, 820 E. Cottonwood
Lane, Building C, in Casa Grande. The
telephone is (520) 836-5221. The
author’s email address is gibsonrd@ag.arizona.edu.
The University of Arizona is an equal opportunity,
affirmative action institution. The
University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex,
national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation in its
programs and activities.
Rick Gibson
University of Arizona Extension Agent, Agriculture
University of Arizona Cooperative Extension
820 E. Cottonwood Lane, Building C
Casa Grande, Arizona 85222
Voice: (520) 836-5221
Fax: (520) 836-1750
email: gibsonrd@ag.arizona.edu
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