Landscapes require regular maintenance for them to stay healthy and attractive. But when a lawn or garden gets too seedy or shabby, it’s time to renovate.
That’s where Landscape Design & Remodel comes in. It’s the blueprint that guides renovations to a new theme or a better look and feel. A landscaping professional knows the five steps of landscape design and how to apply them to your property.
Planning
Just like a car or home, landscapes need to be remodeled periodically. Regular maintenance will keep them looking good, but they may eventually need more extensive work to make them look their best.
The planning phase is where a landscape design and remodel company can show you how your project will look before it is installed. They will help you to create a plan that fits your lifestyle and budget.
They will help you to decide on a theme for your yard. Themes can be based on color, scale, line or form. They are a great way to connect different parts of your garden.
Often, a licensed landscape architect will have more experience with specific plant materials than a non-licensed designer. Licensed designers can also provide you with detailed drawings and specifications for your contractor to follow during the construction process. This helps to ensure that your design intent is followed precisely during installation. It also minimizes conflicts in design and construction details.
Design
During the design phase, the landscape renovation company will develop a master plan to organize your green and hardscape features into a functional landscape. This step-by-step process considers the environmental conditions and your personal preferences to create a landscape that is both attractive and functional.
Landscape designers must be knowledgeable about the science of horticulture. But they also must be creative and understand how to use the elements of design: form, color, line, mass plantings and focal points.
A successful design must take into account the site’s topography, drainage problems and grading for stormwater management. For example, a simple planted basin may capture rainwater and percolate it back into the ground instead of flooding a driveway or running off into road gutters. This is one of many ways that landscape designers help to improve the environment and promote sustainable living.
Installation
Just as you wouldn’t embark on a long trip without a map, a good landscape designer won’t begin work on a large project until the initial goals have been established and a plan has been put to paper. This will typically include a property survey and topographical maps, conceptual sketches, preliminary elevations and final renderings.
The landscape architect will also establish the budget and make sure that everything is practical and attainable within the allotted funds. This is important, as homeowners often find themselves getting a bit carried away with what they want their outdoor space to look like and end up spending more than they can afford in the long run.
From there, the landscape architect will create construction documents that a contractor can use to transform the design into reality. This will include grading and site drainage, hardscape and retaining walls, plant selections, lighting and any other structural elements. Depending on the size of the project and its complexity, this may take some time.
Maintenance
During the maintenance phase of your landscape remodel, it’s important to take the needs of the users of your space into account. Your family, friends and pets will have their own unique needs that need to be addressed. You’ll also want to consider how often you will maintain your landscape, if you have the time to do so and what your budget is.
Proper drainage is another crucial aspect of a successful landscape. If water doesn’t drain properly, it can cause soil compaction and erosion. It’s a good idea to incorporate drainage into your landscape design before construction begins.
Using environmentally friendly hardscapes, stains, paints and cleaners is another way to help protect the environment during your landscape renovation project. Keeping up with regular plant feed/protect programs is also an excellent way to keep your landscape healthy and looking great year-round. It will also prevent disease and insect infestations, which can affect the appearance of your plants and trees.
