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Landscape Design

Landscape Plan for DIY Installation

17 years ago

Anyone know of somewhere I can get a Landscape Design Plan for us to do the work ourselves? We are looking for a road map.

I've found Pike Design Group, and I know Southern Living use to offer something where you mailed in photos and they would send you a plan.

Any other ideas? And what would a ball park cost be?

Thanks,

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Comments (7)

inkognito
17 years ago
Honestly, plumorchard this is such a vague question. "You go down the road a bit and turn towards the church, on the left I think it is, after about a mile or three there is a tree where you keep straight on" kind of road map. If you know the destination get on the bus with that name on top. The cost of a bus ticket? I dunno.
What do you want to do here?
deeje
17 years ago
If I understand your question, plumorchard, I think your best bet is for you to call local landscapers and ask them about their design services.

A number of companies in my area will do an on-site visit, take photos, and draft a design, and then let you walk with it to complete it on your own. But prices here probably aren't comparable to prices in your part of the country.

If you had more specifics about what you want to do, perhaps people here could give you advice or steer you to online resources. But if you don't know where to start, an in-person consultation with a landscape designer is best.
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Design work is VERY often done by someone different than the landscape contractor who will do the work. The success of such projects depends largely upon the communication between the two parties, as well as their separate competencies. For example, I've had to completely re-do master plans for municipal projects because the landscape architect lived so far away that he didn't take into account a different climate! Or the designer can be too far away to properly evaluate a site regarding drainage patterns, soil type, etc. I've also had to deal with landscape contractors so unwilling to follow specifications that I had no choice but to fire them on the spot. Or so ignorant about common planting practices that entire projects had to be done over. On the other hand, this is a very common practice and can work out beautifully when it all falls together. Your designer may have a favorite contractor that he or she is used to working with, for example. But be prepared to understand if this designer just doesn't have the time to spare for lots of travel. If you find someone who will make one visit, go back home and send you the master plan in the mail with a bill....tell them NO, thanks. It really takes a lot of time to do a successful design. I rate success as a project that passes the test of time...what does it look like in 5, 10 years?
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Thanks Yardvaark. The original pic at top of thread was in mid construction so of course it was not welcoming -- very ugly it was (or perhaps you were referring to the original house with white siding that had overgrown burning bush that obscured the circle pavers). Either way the result is an improvement for sure. I am very glad we decided from the good advice on this thread not to do plantings around the circle entry courtyard as I like how open it is now with just a garden around the birch (future garden that is). emmarene, We are definitely still doing the glass railing around the deck over the garage. We just have not got that done yet. That will really finish off the outside.
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I would plant it diagonally off the corner of the house if possible, and if you don't own enough space, then plant if straight toward the street from the house corner, expanding the bed to accommodate it. It will help break up that large wall next door as well as not blocking the low front window. I would keep the plants in the area of walkway low and far enough from the edge so visitors don't feel like they have to avoid the walk edges. I agree with the previous poster who suggested adding mulch over the pine straw instead of removing it. Just use a brown mulch so it isn't the main feature. For specific plant suggestions (for which I will be no help since I am3- 4 zones colder than you), you want to add the amount of sun this part of the garden receives and your USDA zone - you have already given us your general location. One of the issues I see with your current plants is that they are all fine-textured and of a similar color, so having a bit more variety in general plant appearance will make it look better while still having multiples of each type for visibility from the street. You might want to take photos of your current plants and get them IDed on the Name that Plant forum here on the Garden Web part of Houzz. [Name-that-plant forum[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/name-that-plant-dsbr0-bd~t_29966) It may be that at least some of the plants will be a good choice for that spot if used in combo with some replacement plants. You haven't really explained why you are planning to move all of them.
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Thanks for the insights. I guess It’s like anything else, some much better than others regardless of what titles they carry. You answered exactly what I wondered...is there any reason to go one way or the other. Thanks. In my area, it’s very common for any service provider to promise the world then not bother to show-up. Then those that do show-up assume price is no object. Plenty of work for everyone so I deal with that. I’ll ask for direct referrals from people in the area and go from there.
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plumorchard
Original Author
17 years ago
deeje - that is exactly what I was looking for- thanks! A starting point to get a plan and then we would know where we needed to go first. I'll check around with some local companies and see if I can get a better feel for what we need.
deeje
17 years ago
Good luck; I hope you find some good people to work with!
DYH
17 years ago
Plumorchard -- I don't know if you want landscaping with hardscape, or if you want gardens and borders. The scope of your project will send you in different directions, depending upon what you're visualizing.

If you want gardens and if you have a subscription to BHG, they have a little library of different (free) garden plans that you can download in PDF format.

If you want to do hardscape yourself, there are some very good books on working with stone at the bookstore (or home centers) that take you through step-by-step.

At any rate, go look through the Fine Gardening and other magazines for "inspiration" photos just like you would for home decorating or kitchen designs. Try to develop a good idea about how you want to use your space and what feeling you want in your outdoor rooms.

Since you are in Georgia, check to see if there is a university close by that has a landscape design school. If you're willing to be a student's project, it is the right time of year to contact the school to volunteer to let some college kids loose on your project! You won't pay for labor and design, just the materials.
DYH
17 years ago
Here are some tips from North Carolina State University for residential landscaping.

Here is a link that might be useful: landscape tips
plumorchard
Original Author
17 years ago
wonbyherwits - Thanks so much! Great info and I will read up tonight!

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