Plan a Landscape Project

Like any home project, planning is one of the most important steps in re-landscaping your yard. Having a well thought out landscape plan will save you tons of money, reduce headaches, and help make your project beautiful. Resist the temptation to run out to the nursery on a weekend and buy whatever plants they have in stock, and follow the steps below.

The key steps in planning your landscape project include:

  • Analyze your yard and needs
  • Get ideas
  • Develop a landscape plan
  • Choose the plants
  • Develop an irrigation plan
  • Estimate the cost

Sample Landscape Design Template from Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership

Sample Landscape Design Template from Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership
  1. Analyze Your Yard and Needs

Analyze Your Yard and Needs

  • Existing Conditions: Analyze your yard and make a list of the existing conditions that may need to be addressed. 
    • Do you have views you want to highlight or block? 
    • Do you have drainage issues? 
    • What parts of the yard get lots of sun and what parts are shady? 
    • How do people get to the front door from the driveway or the sidewalk? 
    • What existing trees or shrubs do you want to keep and what can go? 
    • What kind of soil do you have?
  • Preferences: Make a list of what you want out of your new landscape. 
    • Do you want to add a pathway from the sidewalk to the front door? 
    • Do you want a California Native Garden? 
    • Do you want to attract butterflies, bees, and birds? 
    • Do you want low maintenance? 
    • Do you want lots of flower color?
  1. Get Ideas
  1. Develop a Landscape Plan
  1. Choose the Plants
  1. Develop an Irrigation Plan
  1. Estimate the Cost