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PRE-PLANNING INFORMATION - CONT

6. Identify resources are available to do the job
There is not much sense in designing a complex landscape if the money is not available to build it; or even if the money is there and the materials are simply not available in your area. Work out how much you are prepared to spend and investigate the materials available locally (from garden centres, local quarries, etc).

7. Consult the local council on relevant by-laws
Some by-laws are important to the design, but they vary from municipality to municipality (eg. the distance a building can be located from a boundary) Some Shires encourage the use of particular plants that are in keeping with the character of your neighbourhood and street.

8. Record the site dimensions and other measurements
You will need to take measurements of the site and record these on a sketch plan. A freehand sketch is fine at this stage, as you will be refining your plan in the next lesson.

Using a tape measure, measure the site boundaries, and the placement and dimensions of the house and other buildings. Draw these up on a sketch plan. You may be able to avoid this step if a plan of the site is available. It's still worth double-checking the measurements though, as official plans have been known to be wrong. (See lesson 3).

Mark in the location of doors and windows on buildings. Record the position of drains, pipes, easements, power lines and existing landscape components such as the driveway, paths and trees. Show the direction of prevailing winds, surface drainage flow and any views on the plan.