This is the basis for your entire landscape plan and it should be drawn on transparent overlay as this will help prevent confusion on the master plan with all the line work. The base plan can also be used for reference for future developments.

It must accurately show the position of the House, Sewer, Storm Water pipes, Water meter, Electrical underground cables, Gas pipes, Telecom cables, Water pipes and other perminant features and should contain as much information as possible as this will enable you to align the master plan with your base plan. Marking the contours of the land will make it easy to plan your retaining walls and pathways.

Note the position of sewer lines, water pipes and underground power cables. This will help to prevent you placing trees or any other material over sewers, wallings or other areas that may need attention in the near future.

ACTIVITY AREAS

These should be allocated before you plan the details of your garden. If you first think in terms of these areas you will find your garden will be more pleasant, convenient and livable because its design has proceeded logically from functional conciderations. These areas are largely determined by the existing natural features on the site. For example, a sunny area of the garden would be the best place for a recreational area which could include a swimming pool.

A garden that has a natural wooded rockery area would make an ideal area for a retreat. Choose your utility area so that it is placed conveniently close to the house, allowing enough area to build or plant a living screen to surround it.

The eastern and western sides should have deciduous shrubs or trees planted so not to block out any warm winter sun.

Create areas of flower beds that give a relaxing atmosphere but if you suffer from asthma look up our FACT SHEETS on ASTHMA before you plan your areas.

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

THESE ARE QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER AS YOU DESIGN THE LAYOUT OF THE GARDEN PLAN.

It is very important to put in place certain materials during the early stages of landscaping before planting and paving is completed.

Are you using what you already have to the best advantage?

Do some of the garden areas in your design need protection from the wind or sun?
Should you plant tall deciduous trees on the north side of the house to cast shade and keep it cool in the summer and let the winter sun warm the house during the winter?

Do we need privacy and should we look at the type of plants that are not too dense so that the area will not be too dark and heavy looking in growth during the winter months?

If we have a small garden, do we need a lawn area?

If we want a lawn area what type of lawn do we need for a sunny position or a semi-shaded area? See PLANTING LAWNS

Will part of my family be active in the garden most of the time or will we need a low maintenance type of garden?

Do we need space for a compost bin, tool shed or a vegetable garden?

What about storage space for rubbish bins, and a clothes line?

How can we screen these from general view?

Do we have enough room with a garden bed added to push a Lawn Mower or wheel barrow around the side of the house?

Do I leave areas free from trees and shrubs to allow heavy equipment through to build a shed or swimming pool etc in the future?

Do we need retaining walls or dividing fences for screening?

Do I need to allow space for extra cars, caravan or a trailer in the future?

Will visitors be able to find their way to the front door without stumbling over sharp corner garden beds or large spreading shrubs?

Where should I create lighting for highlighting paths, garden beds or garden features?

How should I create attractive features ouside windows of rooms that the family will use most so they can enjoy the view?

Children's play areas should be placed in full view of windows of the rooms that are used most.

Do you intend to do a lot of outside entertaining, if so, what sort of power for lighting and power outlets do you need?

If you are going to use gas, how can you put in a gas outlet and where is the best place?

Do we need a quiet retreat from the children down the back of the garden?

What about taps in hard to get at places to water the garden before the paths are built and are there enough in the design?

Large plastic pipes to be placed under paths for future pipes and power points?

Where are all the drip watering pipes going to be placed before we lay paving?

SITE PREPARATION

THIS IS A SEQUENCE OF EVENTS TO ACHEIVE THE CONSTRUCTED GARDEN IN THE FORM OF A CALENDAR

This is a guide line on how to set this up.

1/ Contact subcontractors and determine a likely date they can be available.

2/ Prepare access to the site if needed.

3/ Remove all unwanted vegetation by spraying or hand removal.

4/ Preparation of all below ground work cables, trenches, storm water piping, work by others:- eg plumbing, irrigation, electrician for garden lighting etc.

5/ If necessary bob cat to form levels and sub bases for driveway, paths and patio areas.

6/ Stock piling of new soil for garden beds and lawns.

7/ If needed moss rock positioning.

8/ Lay pavers to driveway, paths and patio areas.

9/ Levelling of soil in lawns and garden beds.

10/ Lawn edging laid.

11/ Sow or lay instant lawn.

12/ Planting of trees, shrubs, rockery and ground covers.

13/ Mulching.

SELECT YOUR GOALS

KNOW WHAT YOU WANT

BEAUTIFICATION, PRIVACY, COMFORT, CONVENIENCE, FLEXIBILITY, RECREATION, FRESH FOOD PRODUCTION, ENTERTAINING, EASE OF MAINTENANCE AND SAFETY.

THREE IMPORTANT QUESTIONS A PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAPER WOULD ASK YOU

What is your family lifestyle?

If you are concerned with upgrading one problem area of your yard, how doing this affect the whole garden?

Do you understand the materials and their uses?

BASIC LANDSCAPING GUIDLINES

UNITY
Landscaping materials are an essential part of creating a pleasurable garden. A sense that everything belongs together may be achived by repeating common garden elements in groupings. (For example Buxus at the edge of a patio and repeating Buxus down a pathway, followed by another group at the end of the path).

PROPORTION
Choose plants and garden structures that are in scale with the home.
When selecting plants always try to think ahead to the size of the mature plant. A ten metre high tree may fit nicely along the house today but in a few years it may lift the roof or foundations.

VARIETY
This is to give a welcome surprise element in any landscaping scheme. Colour foliage such as red, different shades of green or variegated foilage, leaf shapes, and a variety of colourful flowers gives change to the scenery and is pleasant to the eye.

MASTER PLAN

This is the final plan.

It must show the position of the house and all other permanent features acurately and should contain as much information as possible.

The original overlay can be used when working out where pipes and drains are as site preparation begins.