Whether you're starting from scratch or redoing only part of your yard, you will get the best results if you work out a plan in advance. Keep a notebook or folder from the time you start thinking about your "new" yard until the job is finished. Jot down ideas as they come to you, take pictures or write about yards and/or planting that you see, and cut pictures and articles that you like from magazines. Visit nurseries in your area to get lists of perennials, annuals, shrubs, trees, groundcovers, etc. that grow well in your area. If you are considering using stone or other hardscape, find the materials that you like and get information that will help you. Study, ask questions, and, if necessary, get help from professionals.
When collecting your materials, consider the style of your house, as well as your living style. Find things that will complement both. You probably do not want plants and shrubs that work well with a Tudor style house when your house is contemporary. Also, you will need to decide if you want a low maintenance or high maintenance yard.
Analyze your site. What type soil do you have - sandy, clay, or loam? Should drainage be improved? Which sites are sunny, shady, or both, and at what times of the day? Are there prevailing winds to consider? Which views are desirable?
Divide your area into three categories. The public space is between your home and the street. This will include the sidewalks and driveway. The private area might include a patio, a playground, the barbecue, a pool, and other family-activity places, as well as different garden plots. The service area is where you will store trash cans, garden tools, etc. You might want to block a direct view of this area by planting a tall hedge, building a fence, or having a vine-covered trellis.
As you are working on ideas, draw up an overall plan of your yard as it is now. Measure the exterior perimeter of your house, your boundaries, the sidewalks and driveway, and other permanent structures. Sketch these to scale on graph paper (1/4"=1') Indicate existing trees and shrubs with circles. Show the existing wind pattern(s) and the sun's path with arrows. Put in the water, electricity, gas, and cable lines, etc. so you will not be planning anything that will damage them. (Or if the utility company needs to replace or repair them, it can be done with minimum damage to your plantings, walks, patio, etc.). On your house, draw in the windows and the doors so you can plan for views from most of them.
Once you have made decisions on what you think you want to do, use tracing paper on top of the drawing of your yard to draw in permanent structures that you might want to add. Allow enough space for walkways, terraces or patios. If your first drawing does not work, throw it away and start over. If you work with pencil, it can be erased to change items. Study your plan as you work. Once you have settled on the permanent items, start drawing in trees, shrubs, flowers, and garden areas. Don't try to squeeze too much into a small area. (Be sure to indicate mature dimensions of shrubs and trees.) Try to visualize what they will look like from different directions, including from the windows and the doors, as well as from the street, if they are in the public area.
Hopefully, as you work on this, you will be able to plan "just" what you want the finished project to be. Then you can start the real work.
Becky Hamilton, Smith County Master Gardener
Texas Cooperative Extension
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