IRRIGATION PLAN

For a complete tutorial on irrigation system design, installation, and scheduling, please visit Jess Stryker's Irrigation Tutorials.

LIGHTING PLAN

For a visual effect of what proper night lighting can achieve, please visit Nightscaping's web site. We'll have more information coming soon.

CONCEPTUAL IMAGING OR PERSPECTIVES

A lot of people have trouble viewing a flat piece of paper and visualizing what the finished project will look like. There are a lot of cheap computer programs out there that you could buy that claim they can help you in this area. Our experience has shown us that most of these are very generic and leave quite a bit to be desired. Too often you are viewing a home that looks nothing like yours, and the plants on the screen look like big blobs. There is usually not enough material to make good choices.

Landscape architects and landscape design professionals are available that have very good programs with many items in their databases. Usually a photo of the area is taken and scanned into the computer. You then have an opportunity to view your site and make the changes that you would like to see without paying to install the work first and realize 10 years later you did not like that large tree there. Almost any type of material can be viewed and changed to something different rather quickly if it is not what you had in mind. There are also perspective drawings that can be done by landscape architects, designers or artist.

Both methods are for conceptual ideas only and a plan view drawing or other drawings should be consulted for actual implementation. For a visual effect these are very useful and can help make decisions. The difference with computer imaging and hand drawn perspectives is that most of the computer work is done using real photos of plants, etc.. and these images can be changed quicker than the renderings. Both methods are well worth the cost. Most people will need to hire a professional in this area.

SPECIFICATIONS

This section most people will use for giving guidelines on the procedures used to install the garden elements. If we do not have enough experience in this area and have unrealistic expectations, our project cost will most certainly be higher. Most manufactures will have some type of installation guidelines that should be followed for proper installation of their particular product.

This section can be helpful if you intend to have your project bid by multiple companies. Each company will then have a set of expectations as it relates to your project. If there are not some sort of guidelines written, you could very easily get three bids for the project that vary greatly in price. It is always best to compare oranges to oranges. Usually landscape architects, some engineers, and some landscape designers will be the ones to help you write a set of specs after reviewing your drawing and the scope of your project. These folks can also handle the bidding, and administration of your project.

A landscape contractor should always provide you with enough detail about what they will install as long as you give them the parameters of the project. A lot of contractors will also be able to handle the project for you. The difficult part will be in deciding who is actually providing you the best project if you are not real familiar with this process. Although not usually the case, we should never base our decision solely on the lower price. Too often there have been shortcuts taken or items left out. No one wants surprises at the end. Even though there are not codes and inspections like with building your house, you would be wise to have some sort of list that follows common sense and garden practices. Whoever you use in this area should be able to answer any of the questions or concerns you have. Never be to shy to ask questions. Remember that things also change from drawing to implementation and that you should allow some type of provision for this.