Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Basics of Landscape Design




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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