Allow easy access to all parts of your yard when drawing your landscape design plan

Any landscape design plan should be carefully drawn up with many considerations in mind. The biggest question you should ask first is, “what am I going to use this yard for?” You may want a yard to entertain guests or play outdoor games. This would require an open area with very little plant life. Perhaps you want a water garden or other water feature. This is part of the landscaping plan.

Maybe you just want a quiet place to stroll and take in the beauty of a tranquil environment.

Knowing what you’re planning a project for is essential for fully enjoying it once it’s done.

One of the biggest rules of thumb in planning a project is to make it accessible. I’ve seen landscape plans that limit traffic flow areas or even put hard-to-open gates that separate the landscaped area.

If an area is hard to get to, eventually you, the owner will stop going there as well, so make it open and easy to get to.

You will want to use graph paper with the little squares on it to keep everything measured to scale when drawing up your plans.

There is a loose standard among landscape designers as far as using symbols. There are a few standard symbols, but designers usually rely on labels to help clients better understand the plans.

These are some of the landscaping tree, shrubbery, and ground covering symbols commonly used. It helps to have accurate descriptions so that you can plan out projects to get plant life from tree nurseries, seed and plant companies, garden plant companies, and turf companies.

Here are a few more types of trees that are often used.

These symbols describe different types of ground textures and structures.

The grass symbol in this pic is one of the most commonly used ground covering symbols.

These two black and white plans are actual plans used in modern landscaping projects. The reason why symbols aren’t used consistently is because there aren’t inspectors that need to read the plans.

The symbols are only used so the general landscaping contractor can plan out a project for his or her or crew.

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