Home Landscaping Course

Lesson 2 - Surveying Your Backyard

PRE-PLANNING INFORMATION

Before commencing your landscape design you will need to collate certain information upon which the design will be based. The following pre-planning information is generally required.

1. Study the environment of the site.
Climate - You will need to become very familiar with the climate of your site. Look at the direction of the prevailing winds, the annual rainfall, the time of the year it falls, annual temperatures, and whether frosts are experienced. All of these things will greatly influence your new design.

Climate, wind, temperature, frost, rainfall, etc. can vary greatly from place to place, even in the same town or city. Detailed information on your local climate can often be obtained from the internet, local Bureaus of Meteorology, or libraries.

Microclimates - The environment can also vary significantly within the site. Buildings, fences and trees can block the passage of wind, create suntraps or shaded areas, etc. so that some parts of the garden are drier/wetter, hotter/colder, etc. than other parts. These modified areas are called microclimates.

Look around your garden to see where microclimates occur - some may be desirable, for example, you may have a moist shady area which would make an ideal fernery; others may need to be modified in your design.

Aspect - This is the direction that the site faces. The ideal aspect depends on where you live. In the Southern Hemisphere, a northern aspect means the front of your garden will receive sun throughout the day. A southern aspect is shaded for most parts of the day, although it will receive sun in the late afternoon in summer. The converse applies in the Northern Hemisphere.

2. Study the Soil
Be aware that the soil can vary over very small distances. Don't rely on a single sample from one place. Dig holes, either with a spade or an auger, and study changes in the soil as you progress through the profile (ie. go deeper). This will give you an idea about the structure of the soil and potential drainage capability of your soil. Measure the pH (ie. level of acidity or alkalinity) using an inexpensive pH kit particularly from any problem areas where you have trouble growing plants.

Note the amount of organic matter in the topsoil and the depth of topsoil in your profiles. Note the texture of each sample (e.g. clayish, sandy). Your plant selection, style of garden, budget, time and energy available may determine what you use to improve your soil or if any soil improvement is necessary. Also take note of any drainage problems.

3. Note Existing Features

Look at the existing features in the garden including trees, garden beds, driveways, garden sheds, etc. Decide on those you want to retain in your new design. Take note of the position of any services, including water mains, gas mains, sewers, meters, taps, powerlines (underground and overhead), etc.

4. Identify Your Available Views

As well as outdoor views, think about the views from inside the house, especially views from the main living areas. Are there views you wish to retain or is privacy a priority for your new design?

5. Establish Your Design Preferences and Priorities
What relative importance do you (or your client) place on the following?

•  Function - the way the landscape is used eg. passive recreation such as reading a book outside or active recreation area that can accommodate children playing cricket for instance. Both passive and active areas may need to be included.

•  Service areas - eg. Washing line location. Rubbish bins may need to be accessible and screened from view.

•  Aesthetics - the look and feel of the garden and the use of colour in the garden.

•  Maintenance - the amount of money and/or effort and expertise to keep it in an acceptable condition eg. A formal garden generally requires more maintenance than an informal garden.

•  Safety