Start working out your plan with a simple rough sketch of the various activity areas using loose shapes (or bubbles) to identify each area. There are a number of things to keep in mind when starting your rough sketches but primarily you want to consider what you have learned during your research and how you will get around in your yard. In other words, how will you move from one area to another? Perhaps starting your sketch by walking through your property by sketching your pathways is a good way to start. Do you prefer curved pathways or straight ? What kind of landscaping components are an absolute nessesity ? these must be included in your landscaping design early on. Do you require a shed ?
patio? Garden area? Fruit trees ? Pond ? Place these in the most desirable area on your property. If you need shade you will want to consider large trees with thick foliage. Naming the plants specifically is not important at this point, your main concern should be that they are listed, and what purpose they will serve. Again, having a look at trees Calgary will help you decide on appropriate trees for your property.
Notes on drainage
Drainage will be a key issue when it comes to designing your landscaping plan. Many trees for instance do not grow well in soggy environments, so for example you will not want to plant a willow at the back of your yard if you have a sloping property that drains to this area. As well, you can greatly increase your usable landscaping area by installing retaining walls, these walls may be a nessecity if you have a steep sloping property like many are in Calgary. Working with a professional landscaper like Chinook Landscaping Calgary is highly recommended when dealing with yards that have steep grades.
Remember too, that you can create landscapes within landscapes. For instance you can build a deck that is surrounded by trellices and plant beautiful creeping vines to cover them. Pond areas surrounded by junipers or other shurbs can give you a tranquil, private area to relax.
Walk around and visualize your landscape
Now that you have a rough plan sketched out you can head outdoors and decide if the plan would work in reality. You can use garden hoses to create curving flower beds, or patio areas, as well, you can buy florescent marking paint that you can use to spray out your landscaping design. The great thing about spraying paint on dirt is it is easily erased with a kick of your foot. So, mark these areas out and try to imagine the finished landsape. Are the landscape components realistic? Do they work for your yard ? is there too much do you need a place to chip golf balls, or for the kids to play ? Don’t overcrowd your landscape if your family needs room. Otherwise you could end up spending thousands on flowers beds only to have them trampled and un used in the end. On the other hand, having a barren or lonely landscape can be just as bad. If you want a cozy yard you may want to add a lot to your landscape. A fire pit on a brick patio, pond and pathways meandering through a perennial bed. The options are endless.
Once you have the areas for the specific landscaping components marked out, you can measure them to get an idea of area. Simply measure the width x length to get your square footage. Square feet is the most common measurement used in landscaping and knowing the square feet will help you with pricing and speaking to landscapers regarding your landscaping requiremnts in Calgary. You can mark the square feet on your landscape plan inside each area. Weather you are planning to do-it-yourself or have professional landscaper install you landscape these measurements will greatly help you work out a budget and understand your landscaping project better. To know how much material you may need for a specific landscape project, check out our handy landscaping materials calculator
You can choose to make a final master copy of your landscape design or you can use this rough draft to show your landscaper or to use for measurements. A good landscaping company will be able to add to the plan with practical landscaping tips, as well, they will be able to tell you what will be feasible or what won’t work from a design/build perspective.
If you would like help designing your landscape or if you are ready to meet with a landscaper to discuss construction of your landscaping call Chinook Landscaping Calgary today.
Ph: 403-452-8552
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