Site analysis and Landscape Design

Catherine Wissner Horticulturist University of Wyoming, Cooperative Extension Service Laramie County, Cheyenne, Wyoming

True or False?
If you want afternoon summer shade plant a tree on the north side of your house?

Know your Weather

Albany County Weather.
Average summer high temp 79 degrees. Average summer low temp 46 degrees. Average winter high temp 32 degrees. Average winter low temp 8 degrees. Annual Precipitation 11 inches. 50% chance of a Frost as late as June 13, as early as Sept 2.
http://www.climate-charts.com/USA-Stations/WY/WY485435.php

Step one
Get a map of the site or measure the area to be Landscaped. Locate North.

Site Analysis 1. Microclimates, good and bad spots. 2. Where is North.. 3. Seasonal Sun angles 4. What Scale will you be using?
For example: 1inch = 10 feet.

Why the scale of your plan is important

Site Analysis - Wind

Site Analysis

Site Analysis

Site Analysis

Site Analysis Topography

0-3% flat to gently sloping, possible surface drainage problems, soil depth is greater here. 3-8% gently sloping to rolling terrain soil concentration in low areas. 8-15% hilly often rocky terrain, site modification cost increase. Soil depth is very limited.

Site Analysis- Sun Angles

Sun Angles 41st Parallel

Site Analysis
Identify the: Hot. -Sunny Cold. -Shady Dry. Wet. Areas within the landscape, the micro-climates.

Existing Plants
Old Plantings, Trees & Shrubs. Size of the plants. Health of the plants. Stage of development. Will new plants it fit in? If there isnt any plants on the site, Why?

New Plant Locations

What will be the mature plant size? Shade and sunny locations. Will they adapt?

Site Analysis
Call Before You Dig.

811
Wyoming One Call 1-800-348-1030 Its the Law.

What are the Soils?

What are your soils? Get a soil test. Has the soil been disturbed by construction? Is the soil compacted?

Wildlife
What is the existing wildlife? Is the existing wildlife a problem? Do you want to attract wildlife?

Site Analysis

North arrow Sun angles Micro climates Wind direction Views Topography What is the goal?

Develop a Design Theme

Such as:
Rose Garden. Victorian Garden. Shade Garden. Wood land Garden. All Gardens Should be Water Wise.

Water Wise Garden

1-Plan and Design. 2-Create practical turf areas. 3-Improve the soil. 4-Use Mulches. 5-Irrigate efficiently. 6-Maintain the Landscape.

Design Principals
Unity: consistent style. Texture: surface quality of plants & objects. Balance: symmetrical vs. Asymmetrical. Transition: sequential order. Proportion of Scale: size of plants & objects. Focalization: curved lines, features.

Transition

Step Two

Schematic Design First.

Get your General ideas down on paper.

Different areas around the property have different functions.

like play areas, bar-b-queue areas, private secluded areas. Storage area for tools. Areas for pond, greenhouse, gazebo. Plant types are the last thing you do.

Define your landscape areas

Define a clear separation between:
Turf* Do

not do turf corner to corner.

Shrubs* Trees. Perennial Beds. Play. Vegetable Gardens. Hard-scape Areas*.

Why, for ease of mowing/maintenance.

Step Three
Draw in your Hardscape areas
Patio. Walkways. Decks. Bar-B-Que area. Retaining Walls. Pond. Garden Structures. Fences.

Step Four
Draw in the areas for:
Shrubs. Perennial Gardens. Vegetable Garden. Trees. Specific Plants are the last thing you do.

Make Notations on your plans on the heights for the above plants.

Color Theory
There are no bad color combinations in Nature.

What colors do you like?

However:
In the Garden Color should:
Be calming Have a sequence Repeat itself

Step Five
Time to add Color
Seasonal Color for shrubs, trees, perennials.
Winter texture, Spring, Summer and Fall color.

Write the colors in on your design.

Step Six
THE VERY LAST THING

ADD Specific plants.

Have Fun gardening