Landscaping
Regardless of where you live, how much space you have, and what your experience level is, you can enjoy landscape design with help from the Web. Landscaping is not only fun to plan and implement, but if done well, it can even reduce your energy costs, provide years of comfort and enjoyment, and increase the value of your home. Start planning your landscaping project on the Web by looking through photos for ideas as well as researching specific design principles, features, and types of plants. You’ll find useful blogs and forums for sharing tips and advice, and can even locate a nearby landscaper if the project seems too daunting to tackle on your own.
Expand All Guide SectionsLandscaping Ideas
For most people, the best (or easiest) part of landscaping is imagining the design you want to ... read more »
Landscaping Plants
Different plants thrive in different environments, and they require varying amounts of water, care, ... read more »
Landscape Design
Now that you have an idea of what landscape design you’d like and which plants you’d like to include into your project, you can begin to develop your landscaping plan. Use these sites to familiarize yourself with some basic design principles. You’ll also find step-by-step, professional advice to help you do it yourself. In addition, this section of the guide includes resources for finding a professional landscaper.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Texas A&M University publishes “Horticulture Update,” which featured the winter 2002 article “Planning the Landscape.” Horticulturalist Dan Gill provides a step-by-step process for designing your landscape.
- Also, Portland Community College professor and author of “The Art of Home Gardening,” Rod Smith, offers his take on the landscape design process.
- Even if you are prepared to do much of the physical work on your own, you still might consider having a landscape architect or designer draw up plans and create a gardening schedule for you. You can purchase your plants and put them in the ground yourself to save money, but you’ll have some professional oversight to guide you. This is an especially good idea for first-time DIY landscapers.
- If you don’t want to pay for a landscaper, there are plenty of ways to get professional advice for free. For example, many gardening and landscaping sites encourage users to email them for advice. At www.northscaping.com, for example, forum questions are answered by the company’s expert landscaping staff.
Dulcinea's Picks
For practical design advice …
Gardeners Supply Company
is a Vermont-based supply store, which hosts seminars and special events led by real gardeners. This how-to article, “Garden Design: Create Your Dream Garden,” is geared to beginners. In it, you’ll learn about site plans and design basics, such as flow and scale.
Northscaping.com
is mentioned throughout this guide. The site focuses on gardening and landscaping in cool, Northern climates, but it also provides general advice. In this chapter, the emphasis is on basic landscaping principles. You’ll learn how to create harmony in your landscape, and how to use texture to add emphasis to an area. Scroll down to read about professional techniques.
Cornell University
provides gardening information, including a section on color. Warm and cool colors, as well as complementary shades, the color wheel, and how to use foliage to achieve a certain color scheme are all discussed. Photo examples can be enlarged for a better view of each topic. It also has a map that helps you determine your “hardiness zone” so you can determine which plants will survive winter in your area.
The University of Florida
covers the basic principles of landscape design, which are intended for commercial landscapers with little or no training, but are applicable to homeowners as well. The article can be somewhat technical, at times using sketches and numeric measurements to discuss elements of art and design. This site teaches you the basics of color, line, and form, as well as steps to take in developing your landscape design.
For planning philosophies …
Landscape Design
designer Steve Boulden offers a clear rundown of basic design principles, such as unity, simplicity, and balance. Boulden encourages the do-it-yourselfers to learn at least some basics before undertaking a design project.
The Helpful Gardener
is a site based in San Francisco with articles by writers around the world. Connecticut Master Gardener Scott Reil discusses “The Basics of Landscape Design,” outlining factors to consider when planning your garden, such as functionality, the people who will be in your garden, the style of your home, etc.
For information about landscape professionals …
Ehow
discusses whether or not you should hire a professional landscaper. Advice here is basic, and a good starting point. See the list of considerations to make, such as your level of talent, and questions of safety and time. A list of steps to follow when hiring a landscaper is also provided, and assumes that you’ll be drawing up your own plans first, and then discussing them with contractor candidates. Scroll down for tips and warnings, as well as comments with further insight and advice.
The Association of Professional Landscape Designers
maintains certification standards based on education, training, and/or professional experience. Search for a certified landscaper and find out about upcoming gardening events and conferences.
Expert Village
features videos and articles about landscape design, addressing the question of whether to do the work yourself, or hire a designer. Articles are written by a professional landscaper, and they convey a strong knowledge of the industry along with friendly, candid advice.
DoItYourself.com
offers advice for choosing a landscape contractor. The article advises on investigating a company, performing reference checks, obtaining guarantees of products and services, and how much insurance might cover. Guidelines to use in your selection are also given, including scope of project.
For multimedia and landscape design programs …
WebGarden
is a multimedia gardening resource from The Ohio State University, recently recognized by Forbes.com for being both friendly and cutting edge. Consult “PlantFacts,” for how-to videos, photos, information, and a powerful search engine; and “Pocket Gardener” for resources designed for Pocket PC and Palm PDA users. Everything on the site is provided at no cost.
The New York Times
is a source for articles about landscape design, including computer programs. The site reveals landscaping professionals’ recommended software , along with designers’ reasons for using each program. A second article tells of a gardening novice’s experience with one such program developed by Better Homes and Gardens.
Landscaping Forums and Blogs
Blogs and forums offer a full gamut of candid advice and information: you’ll find those that ... read more »
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