Seven Steps to a New Landscape (2024)

Step 1: Plan a Landscape Project

Like any home project, planning is one of the most important aspects of re-landscaping your yard. For the best results, we recommend hiring a landscape designer to develop a design. Visit Plan a Landscape Project for more information.

Step 2: Remove the Lawn

Depending on what your plan is for a new landscape and how much you plan to regrade the yard, we recommend sheet mulching or physical removal. Visit Remove the Lawn to find out which one is right for your situation.

Step 3: Install Hardscape

This is an optional step that can potentially improve a front yard's functionality and curb appeal. For example, adding a pathway from the sidewalk to the front door can add a functional benefit and create a visually appealing garden element. Another way to create visual interest and a contrast to the plants is dry creek beds and boulders, or steps and walls on sloped properties. Visit the Gardening in Contra Costa County Garden Gallery for hardscape ideas and inspiration.

Step 4: Build a Healthy Soil

Starting a new landscape is the perfect opportunity to improve the soil before planting new plants. Healthy soil is essential to a healthy garden because it helps your plants and landscaping thrive. A healthy soil is alive and is made up of minerals, living and dead plant material, fungus, bacteria, mycorrhizae, insects, and billions of micro-organisms. Visit Build a Healthy Soil for details.

Step 5: Install an Irrigation System

A functional watering system is important for the longevity of your new garden. The goal is to install a system that effectively applies water to the rootzones of the plants. Drip irrigation is generally the best and most efficient system for water-wise landscapes, and it is easy to install. Visit Irrigation Systems for information and tips on installing and maintaining a quality irrigation system.

Step 6: Purchase & Install Plants

For best results, it's important to choose the right plants for your yard, purchase quality plants, and install them properly. Find resources, pro tips, and where to buy on Water Wise Plants.

Step 7: Water Efficiently

Reduce water waste by watering your landscape efficiently. Check out Water Efficiently for recommendations.

FAQs

Seven Steps to a New Landscape? ›

The principles of landscape design include the elements of unity, scale, balance, simplicity, variety, emphasis, and sequence as they apply to line, form, texture, and color. These elements are interconnected. Landscape design is a process of developing practical and pleasing outdoor living space.

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What are the seven 7 landscape elements? ›

What is the first step to creating a landscape? ›

Phase 1: Size & Layout

The first step to creating a new space is to decide on the size of the area. For any patio space, the amount of people you typically entertain needs to be considered. There needs to be enough space for everyone to be able to move around without feeling confined or crammed into one area.

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What are the 7 steps to landscape design? ›

Step 1: Plan a Landscape Project. Like any home project, planning is one of the most important aspects of re-landscaping your yard. ...
Step 2: Remove the Lawn. ...
Step 3: Install Hardscape. ...
Step 4: Build a Healthy Soil. ...
Step 5: Install an Irrigation System. ...
Step 6: Purchase & Install Plants. ...
Step 7: Water Efficiently.

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What are the seven 7 basic principle of layouts? ›

The fundamental principles of design are: Emphasis, Balance and Alignment, Contrast, Repetition, Proportion, Movement and White Space.

What is drawing with 7 elements of design? ›

The seven elements of art are line, shape, space, value, form, texture, and color. These elements are the building blocks, or ingredients, of art. A line is a mark made on a surface. A shape is a flat area of enclosed space.

What are the elements of landscape design? ›

These elements of design include mass, form, line, texture and color. In the landscape, they are used to transform space and create a unique experience. While color and texture add interest and richness to a design, it is mass, form and line that are critical to organizing space and providing structure.

What are the 7 principles of design PDF? ›

The most important, fundamental principles of design include emphasis, balance and alignment, contrast, repetition, proportion, movement and white space.

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What are the 5 elements considered in a natural landscape? ›

An aesthetic landscape design incorporates five key elements: line, form, texture, color and scale.

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