Landscape Design Of Your Dream

There's an old saying that states something like - "GettingStarted Is Half Finished". And so many times I find this to betrue as I see do it yourself landscapers struggle to find theirinitial design idea. However, once they establish a framework ofnecessary design elements, it usually goes pretty smooth fromthere.

It's not surprising that the most common landscape designquestion that I get is - "where do I begin?" or "how do I startmy design?". I know it can be difficult. And especially if youdon't have a vision for your design.

So where do you begin? How do you start your landscape or gardendesign?

While every design is different and every designer follows a setof rules and principles, I find that most do it yourselfers allhave the greatest success from using the same starting point.Begin by laying down any paths, driveways, access routes, orwalk areas that might be needed. And also create access to anyareas that you may plan on creating. In many designs, this willhelp to establish a framework that you can simply design around.Of course, this won't be applicable in all designs as many don'trequire any access or travel. So take and use this advice whereand if you can.

Paths and walkways can accomplish many functions in yourlandscape or garden. Their main function, of course, is tocreate a designated space for people to walk on.

However, in design and as an aid to design, their function couldbe to guide your visitors to, through, or away from some otherarea in the garden. Also, they're a great way to break up a vastexpanse of lawn, meadow, or bed area.

First, let's look at walkways, paths, and such as necessaryelements.

Walkways are needed to guide visitors or yourself to and fromanother area. Observe that almost every home has a walkwayleading to the front door, which is, of course, where most folkswant to invite guests to come. So walks, whether refined (brick,flagstone, etc.) or primitive (gravel, mulch, etc.), arenecessary to "guide" or "lead" visitors to, through, or awayfrom an area. So where are the necessary areas where you needother walkways or access? Maybe from the back door to the alleywhere you dump the trash. Or from the house to the pool area. Orfrom the pool area to the kids play area or the outdoor cookingarea. You get the picture.

In a design sense.

Establishing walk, drive, and access areas will in turn help tocreate borders and boundaries. Once you have your walkways laidout, you can simply design a lot of the landscaping around them.The same goes with driveways and parking areas as well. You canplant beds on either or both sides of a walk or use a walkway asan edge to create borders.

Keep it interesting if you can.

If you were to, for instance, plan to place a sitting area atthe back of the garden. Of course you would need some type ofpath for you and your guests to get there. However, instead ofplotting a straight path, why not create a winding tour throughother interesting areas of the garden on the way there?

Curves and winding paths do more than just create interest. Theycan also create an illusion of more space, distance, and travel.This is especially useful in creating small gardens andlandscapes.

Once you lay down walkways, driveways, and access areas, you'llhave a good starting framework for the rest of the design. Now,simply design around them.

About the author: Submitted by The Landscape Design Site which offers freeprofessional landscaping advice, tips, plans, and ideas to do ityourselfers and homeowners. For more about landscape design, visit his site at www.the-landscape-design-site.com

Steve Boulden, Tue Jan 10th