We just moved into a home with a partially completed landscape. I’m not even satisfied with what we have. Could you suggest where to go for help with landscape planning on a limited budget?
Whether you are making plans for a new landscape or replacing overgrown shrubs in an existing one, planning and plant selection are very important. Of course the best trained professionals for landscape planning are landscape architects. It does not require a license to call yourself a landscape designer. You will find landscape designers on the internet with various levels of training and experience offering their services at widely varying rates. Landscape contractors and full-service nurseries and garden stores sometimes also employ landscape designers. Their services are often included when you do business with those companies. You will also find landscape design software on the internet, some of which is free. Numerous books on landscape design also offer guidance. Since landscape design principles do not change much, older books from used book dealers are a good source.
If you would like to put some of your own ideas down on paper I would encourage you to pick up some 11-by-17-inch graph paper from an office supply store. Measure the size of your house, driveway, walkways, patios and decks. Measure for property lines and any existing beds. You may want to change the size or shape of beds or create new ones. Make your beds a minimum of 3 feet, but 4 feet is better. Avoid narrow beds next to driveways or walkways. They are difficult to maintain. Put the location of windows, doors and existing trees or shrubs you want to retain on the plan. Make multiple copies so you can experiment with ideas.
Take your final plan to a full-service nursery or garden store. This is the best source for information on plants adapted to our climate. Check labels for information such as shade tolerance and mature size of plants which appeal to you. Sun-loving plants do best on the west and south sides of buildings, whereas shade-tolerant plants do better on the east and north sides. Mature height and width is usually listed as 10 years.
Contact a landscape contractor if you want someone else to do the installation. Ask for someone with some landscape design expertise. Show them your plan and ask for advice on plant selection and other features.
