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Site analysis and Landscape Design. Catherine Wissner Horticulturist University of Wyoming, Cooperative Extension Service Laramie County, Cheyenne, Wyoming. True or False?. If you want afternoon summer shade plant a tree on the north side of your house?. Know your Weather.
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Site analysis and Landscape Design Catherine Wissner Horticulturist University of Wyoming, Cooperative Extension Service Laramie County, Cheyenne, Wyoming
True or False? • If you want afternoon summer shade plant a tree on the north side of your house?
Know your Weather • Albany County Weather. • Average summer high temp 79 degrees. • Average summer low temp 46 degrees. • Average winter high temp 32 degrees. • Average winter low temp 8 degrees. • Annual Precipitation 11 inches. • 50% chance of a Frost as late as June 13, as early as Sept 2. • http://www.climate-charts.com/USA-Stations/WY/WY485435.php
Step one • Get a map of the site or measure the area to be Landscaped. • Locate North.
Site Analysis • 1. Microclimates, good and bad spots. • 2. Where is North.. • 3. Seasonal Sun angles • 4. What Scale will you be using? • For example: 1inch = 10 feet.
Site Analysis – Topography • 0-3% flat to gently sloping, possible surface drainage problems, soil depth is greater here. • 3-8% gently sloping to rolling terrain soil concentration in low areas. • 8-15% hilly often rocky terrain, site modification cost increase. Soil depth is very limited.
Site Analysis • Identify the: • Hot. -Sunny • Cold. -Shady • Dry. • Wet. Areas within the landscape, the micro-climates.
Existing Plants • Old Plantings, Trees & Shrubs. • Size of the plants. • Health of the plants. • Stage of development. • Will new plants it fit in? • If there isn’t any plants on the site, Why?
New Plant Locations • What will be the mature plant size? • Shade and sunny locations. • Will they adapt?
Site Analysis • Call Before You Dig. • 811 • Wyoming One Call 1-800-348-1030 It’s the Law.
What are the Soils? • What are your soils? • Get a soil test. • Has the soil been disturbed by construction? • Is the soil compacted?
Wildlife • What is the existing wildlife? • Is the existing wildlife a problem? • Do you want to attract wildlife?
Site Analysis • North arrow • Sun angles • Micro climates • Wind direction • Views • Topography • What is the goal?
Develop a Design Theme • Such as: • Rose Garden. • Victorian Garden. • Shade Garden. • Wood land Garden. • All Gardens Should be Water Wise.
Water Wise Garden • 1-Plan and Design. • 2-Create practical turf areas. • 3-Improve the soil. • 4-Use Mulches. • 5-Irrigate efficiently. • 6-Maintain the Landscape.
Design Principals • Unity: consistent style. • Texture: surface quality of plants & objects. • Balance: symmetrical vs. Asymmetrical. • Transition: sequential order. • Proportion of Scale: size of plants & objects. • Focalization: curved lines, features.
Step Two • Schematic Design First. • Get yourGeneral ideasdown on paper. • Different areas around the property have different functions. • like play areas, bar-b-queue areas, private secluded areas. • Storage area for tools. • Areas for pond, greenhouse, gazebo. • Plant types are the last thing you do.
Define your landscape areas • Define a clear separation between: • Turf* Do not do turf corner to corner. • Shrubs* • Trees. • Perennial Beds. • Play. • Vegetable Gardens. • Hard-scape Areas*. • Why, for ease of mowing/maintenance.
Step Three • Draw in your Hardscape areas • Patio. • Walkways. • Decks. • Bar-B-Que area. • Retaining Walls. • Pond. • Garden Structures. • Fences.
Step Four • Draw in the areas for: • Shrubs. • Perennial Gardens. • Vegetable Garden. • Trees. • Specific Plants are the last thing you do. • Make Notations on your plans on the heights for the above plants.
Color Theory • There are no bad color combinations in Nature. • What colors do you like?
However: • In the Garden Color should: • Be calming • Have a sequence • Repeat itself
Step Five • Time to add Color • Seasonal Color for shrubs, trees, perennials. • Winter texture, Spring, Summer and Fall color. • Write the colors in on your design.
Step Six • THE VERY LAST THING • ADD Specific plants.