Landscape Designs, Plans or Recipes Save Money

Many homeowners enjoy outdoor living areas and take pride in doing the work themselves. Within time, it is realized that incorrect plants are used, drainage issues were not addressed or high maintenance plants were installed. Planting your landscapes correctly the first time would save money and hard work.

 

Professional landscape designers are well-educated with a great knowledge of plants, drainage and hardscapes. Just like interior design, landscape designers apply design elements and principles in order to create an aesthetic and cohesive landscape. Some of the elements and principal include; unity, focal point, repetition, color, texture, balance and proportion.

The best part of a landscape design or recipe is the suggested phases. Usually homeowners cannot afford to implement the entire plan, so the design would offer affordable phases to be completed within one to two years.

 Landscape Plans include; plant key, phases (the sequence of implementation), lighting, materials and other notes specific to the project.

Some suggestions from a landscape designer could be installing deciduous trees with height that is proportionate to the home and within the southeast area providing shade during the hot summer days. Tall evergreen plant material could be installed on the northwest side of the home to act as a wind break from cold winter wind. If you plan to sell your home in the near future it is a good idea to install 75% evergreen plant material in the front foundation bed. This ensures your residence will have curb appeal during any month the home goes on the market.

A good landscape design should incorporate family wants and needs, provide year round interest, address existing site conditions and apply design elements and principals for an aesthetic and livable landscape.

Come meet Landscape Designer Diana Digs Dirt at 414-B State Street in Greensboro Thursday-Saturday from 11-3:30 or she can be reached at 392.4031.

 

Why Schedule a Landscape Design Appointment

DianaDigsDirt Landscape Consultation Process

After the client answers a 25 question survey, an appointment is set. Diana prepares for a brief presentation with ideas generated from the questions and may bring color copies of appropriate landscape spaces from analyzing questionnaire.

If after a 1 hour landscape consultation, notes are taken by DianaDigsDirt and given to client. If we feel a design is needed because of the scope of work, the consultation fee is subtracted from the landscape plan.

  

 The landscape plan can start immediately after the consultation by plotting (taking measurements) of your house (if homeowner cannot provide a survey), existing trees and plant material to remain, outdoor structures, driveways, and usually takes another hour.

Diana returns to the office and begins drawing the base map on vellum, for which the design will be drawn from.

The utility companies are called, locating underground lines and marked with various colors of spray paint. She then takes a quick drive by to ensure design stays clear of underground lines.

Design is drawn reflecting mature size of plants, blueprints are made and plan is rendered. Upon presentation, additional color copies are presented giving homeowners a better feel of the final vision. In the general notes section, phases are suggested if the entire project cannot be completed in one season. The general notes section could include wood stain/paint colors, weed prevention plan, bulb planting, etc. These details also help if homeowners will install themselves.

Landscaping companies have their place in our community as do Landscape Designers. Most designers have gone through schooling of plants, design, construction, ecology and history. The plant education alone is very intense, where landscape designers can identify plant material in the winter months, hence designing can begin in late winter.

A one hour consultation by a landscape designer will save money in the long run, as stated by The Home and Garden Television Network. They educate homeowners on selection of plant material appropriate for the space, whether an erosive location, drainage issue, sun or shade, privacy, safety and so on. They also add the factor of aesthetics into the equation. 

Landscape designers look at underground utilities, family life, pets, wildlife problems and determine plant material to be installed conducive to hours per month the family would like to “work” in their landscapes. 

Call for a consultation and save yourself money one can spend elsewhere (consultations are $100)

DianaDigsDirt

Diana @ justacloudaway.com