| Step #1 | | | | life when you will be using this garden. |
| Planning is the essence of any activity that is related | | | | Once you define the purpose it will be easier to |
| to your home maintenance or improvement. I | | | | locate the final layout depending upon your plot |
| consider landscaping as a part of home improvement | | | | analysis in step #2 and function of the garden. |
| activity because it will enhance the resale value of | | | | Step #4 |
| your home greatly. A well maintained home is a great | | | | Write down a brief of the materials you would like to |
| asset. | | | | see in your garden. This does not mean write down |
| That's why when it comes to landscaping put the | | | | everything to the minutest details, but a rough idea |
| plan on a plain sheet of paper. Mark out various areas | | | | of what will happen in the garden. for example would |
| on the sketch plan. First mark your home building on | | | | you like to build the pathways in brick or paving tiles, |
| the sketch and then locate other spaces such as | | | | or would the compound wall be painted from inside |
| pathways, flower beds, sand pits, swimming pools, | | | | or will be kept exposed. |
| patios in relation to home building that are already | | | | This will guide you to create a list of common |
| existing in your home plot. Don't forget to mark any | | | | material so that you get a primary idea of the |
| existing big trees that you want them to be inyour | | | | budget of your residential garden. |
| final layout. | | | | Step #5 |
| Step #2 | | | | Create a schedule of execution for your garden and |
| Look around your home plot for natural and artificial | | | | take action. Creating a schedule is a great way to |
| elements such as a busy street, flowing river, | | | | save a lot of time and money when it comes to |
| mountains, other buildings, etc. All these will have a | | | | execution. Once you know which activity starts first, |
| direct effect on your home garden. This kind of | | | | it will be easier to plan accordingly. |
| analysis will help in locating various elements in your | | | | For example first comes the site cleaning, then |
| garden.natural elements include the direction of | | | | plotting out major areas on ground. Then if you have |
| sunlight, quality of sunlight, direction and speed of | | | | electricity cables running around your compound wall |
| wind (if your home is on seashore the wind will be a | | | | lighting, you will have to call the electrician to |
| major factor). Depending upon all these the design of | | | | complete his tasks before you start planting the |
| your garden will change. for example if the sunlight is | | | | delicate and precious plant species. It should happen |
| too harsh, you might consider to plants tall trees so | | | | that you have planted the flowerbeds and a water |
| that the garden area remains in shade most of the | | | | pipeline needs to be laid under the flowerbeds |
| time. | | | | thatsupply water to the fountain in the corner of |
| Step #3 | | | | your garden. |
| Define the function of your garden. This means that | | | | So planning and executing a schedule of tasks will |
| your family members will use the garden, so what | | | | help to improve your efficiency. |
| are their needs. What happens if you arrange a small | | | | This was just a brief guideline of how to go about |
| family get-together in this garden, Will the garden | | | | planning and executing a residential garden. I hope this |
| space be sufficient to accommodate your guests. | | | | will help you to start thinking more creatively in |
| Try writing down various situations in your everyday | | | | building you dream garden. |