The Registry of Nature
Habitats
Attracting Wildlife to Your Back
Yard
A Guide to Increasing Wildlife Diversity
and Aesthetic Value Around Your Home
Landscape Planning 2. Producing a
Drawing of the Property
2. PRODUCING A DRAWING OF THE
PROPERTY
As discussed earlier, a plan is the key to a successful
landscaping project. The backbone of your plan which will be
referenced many times throughout the upcoming years is a drawing.
You can make your own drawing with use of your
property plat map or you can have a landscaping company or local
engineer produce this product. The main thing to remember is that
the drawing is to scale. This will be important when you begin
adding vegetative components and other structures.
Begin drawing in existing features including
buildings, power lines, buried cables, septic tanks and drain
fields, trees, shrubs and other features.
Determine how much area you want to enhance,
remembering you may have to consider the family's need of playing
area, benches, walking paths or gardens.
Identify and map special conditions including shady
or sunny areas, low or poorly drained areas, and areas that will be
preserved as is.
The soil should also be tested to determine soil
type. This will determine which plants would be best suited for the
plot and how they should best be managed. The US Department of
Agriculture's Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) is an
agency that can help in determining soil types.
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Create a photo
record of your backyard
Taking photographs from the beginning of your project
until the end is a great aid in monitoring progress and a fun
way to see changes that otherwise go unnoticed. Choose photo
points around the yard and keep these same locations every
time you want to capture the moment. Mark the photos with
dates for future reference. |
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Section -- Landscape Planning: 1. Setting
Your Personal Goals and Priorities Return to
Contents Next Section -- Landscape Planning:
3. Developing a Planting and Component Plan
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