Texas Discovery Gardens
Planning and Design
Creating a Master Plan will help you get the most out of your landscape while considering issues like cost, function, aesthetic preferences, maintenance requirements, water efficiency and energy efficiency. You can tailor the plan to suit your taste, your needs and your checkbook.
The Master Plan will serve as a guide throughout the landscaping process. It will help you stay focused and can help to avoid time consuming and costly mistakes. When developing a plan, think long-term. You may decide to complete your landscape all at once or in stages. Regardless of your approach, take the time to develop a complete plan for your landscape.
Where to
start? Observe the site and take notes on your current use of
different areas and their desired future use. Create a sketch of
your yard with locations of existing structures, trees, shrubs and
grass areas. Make note of any problem areas you may have such as
drainage problems or areas where you cannot get plants or turf to
grow.
Grouping plants with similar water needs
Hydrozoning, one of the basic concepts of Water-wise landscaping, creates plant zones for water use. By grouping plants with similar water requirements together, you design a landscape that is both water-efficient and beautiful.
Begin with the water zone nearest to your house such as an outdoor patio or an area adjacent to your house where you spend most of your outdoor time. This zone can serve as a mini-oasis, utilizing the highest water use plants in your landscape. The shady east and north sides of your home are good places for foundation plantings.
The second zone serves as a transition zone, blending the lush area with the dry area of your landscape. The plants for this zone will range from moderate to low water use, and should require little supplemental watering (once a week or less) once established.
The third zone is the arid zone. This is a great place to include the native vegetation that occurs naturally in our area. The plants chosen should require no supplemental water once established. This area would be located the farthest from the house and away from high traffic areas.
Things to keep in mind are your budget, desired appearance, use or function of different areas and water requirements. There are a number of professionals that can help you in the decision process; landscape architects, designers, county Extension agents and local nurseries.
Remember you do not have to do it all at once. Develop a “Master Plan” to implement over several years.