2. Get to know your site

The first step in making a plan is to know what you have now. Take a walk around your yard and look closely at what is there. Make a drawing of your yard. Take pictures. Take measurements of the lot, and make note of the following:

• the locations of permanent things like your house, garage, shed, existing decks or patios, pools, ponds, trees, etc.
• the slopes of the property, if any (measure the amount of drop over a distance)
• other features of the land such as damp, sheltered, or windy areas
• areas of sun, shade, partial sun during the different seasons
• views from inside the house
• location of services such as water taps, electrical outlets, gas, water and hydro meters (utilities likely require access to those).

Try not to get stuck into thinking things are permanent when they really aren't. Decks, patios, even pools, can be removed, or changed, depending on your budget and how much you want to do it.

3. Think about the future

• How long you do you plan to live in your current location? There is no point in coming up with a multi-year, mega-buck plan if you are going to move next fall. A short term plan will focus more on quick, inexpensive changes, or ones that increase property value.
• Are you planning a major renovation to your house, building a new garage, or anything equally major?
• Are you planning to start or increase the size of your family? The presence of children will affect your plan. The ages of the children will determine their needs, and also dictate certain safety issues. You might not want to install a pool, or a deep pond until they are older, for example.
• Are you planning to buy any pets?

..next..

1. How do I make a garden plan? Do I really have to?
2. Get to know your site
3. Think about the future
4. What do you want to do in your yard?
5. What kind of gardening do you want to do?
6. Don't forget storage and utility requirements
7. What about driveways, walkways, and paths?
8. Think about privacy and security issues
9. Make a wish list
10. Categorize your list
11. Prioritize your list
12. Look at other gardens and yards
13. Make a general sketch of your yard
14. Go through your wish list again
15. Think about the style you want
16. Keep in mind some general design guidelines
17. Start drawing a plan
18. Get to work
19. Further Reading (web links) and References

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