LANDSCAPING CHECKLIST - Brisbane Times

LANDSCAPING CHECKLISTThis information is general in nature. Please get professional advice for your specific needs.SOME OF THE BASICS□□ Measure the space or spaces to □work on.□□Is this a tidy up or an overhaul?□□What stays, what goes, what isrepurposed/revived?□□Choose a maintenance level, □high/low.□□What do you want to hide/emphasize?□□Consider the use of pots, gardenbeds and vertical gardens.□□Choose lawn or paving or acombination of the two.□□Do you want an instant garden or □a garden that develops over time?□□Allow for future plans for deck/pool/new fence etc.□□Balance practical verses pretty.□□Can project be done in stages?□□Tools and equip for maintenance,mower etc.□□Soil type/condition/drainage□□Dig holes fill with water to testdrainage.□□Decide on must-haves and nice-tohavesin order of priority.□□Price items on your list.□□Draw up a budget.□□Adjust list to match budget.DESIGN□□□□ Decide on the purpose of the space: children/pets/entertaining.□ Research design options.□ Choose a theme/design that enhances your home.Consider;• aspect• amount of actual sun• wind• salt spray• fire danger• climate• privacy• noise etc.□□Will you build or keep retaining wall, paths, boarders etc?□□Will there be garden furniture, tree house, shed etc?□□Will you incorporate screening, fences, decking, water features etc?□□Any heavy excavation required?Consider;• the views from house.• the views from garden.□ □ “stealing views”; make the most of your surroundings eg neighbour’s garden,views to a park or bushland etc.□□Draw plan on grid paper to scale in pencil to allow for adjustments.□□Plot in the essentials.□□Fill in the gaps.□□Use flour to mark out plan on the ground.□□Rework plan if necessary.Add to your plan if required;• watering system• lighting• drainage etc.□□Time planting for least stress on plants. Hot days at the height of summer arehard on you and plants.□□Order soil/turf/sleepers/pavers etc.