Landscape Design Objective 5.00

Landscaping Careers

What is Landscaping? Landscaping is a profession that includes designing, installing, and maintaining the outdoor human environment. There are 3 branches of the landscaping industry Landscape Architecture Landscape Contractors Landscape Maintenance

Landscape Architects Licensed professions Conceptualize and plan the outdoor environment or landscape for residential and commercial clients. Landscape designers usually do actual drawings for residential landscapes.

Landscape Contractors Carry out the installation or actual construction of the landscape plan Often use subcontractors to do special work such as pools, electrical work, stonework, etc.

Landscape Maintenance Extended care of existing landscapes The care and upkeep of the landscape after installation

Design-build Firms Landscape businesses that handle everything from the initial contact with the client through design and construction as well as long-term care and maintenance.

Landscape Nursery Worker Professional who sells and installs landscape plants and related materials.

Other Landscape Occupations Landscape Sales-works directly with clients to develop creative design solutions Arborist-specialists in the care, treatment, trimming and/or removal of trees Irrigation specialist-designs, installs and maintains irrigation systems

Other Landscape Occupations Seasonal Color Specialist-works directly with clients, possesses a thorough knowledge of seasonal color in both design and maintenance along with a strong understanding of plant materials

Other Landscape Occupations IPM specialist-inspects and diagnoses insect and disease issues, develops treatment plans, applies treatments effectively and safely, performs necessary record keeping duties, maintains supplies and equipment

Types of Landscape Plans

Types of Landscape Plans There are three types of plans used in landscaping Sequential Computer Assisted Graphics

Landscape Plans

Sequential Plans Each part of the plan is increasingly more specific and detailed. Includes Functional diagrams Preliminary designs Final Plans

Sequential Plans-Functional Diagrams Begin the arrangement of the client’s program on the site. Called “bubble diagrams” because they use loosely drawn freeform shapes to represent areas or spaces Help the designer make decisions concerning layout and sizes and the use of each area.

Outdoor Rooms Moves the indoor design out for a continuous flow Public Area-usually the front yard portion of the landscape Private Area-a secluded area, patio or screened porch Utility Area-recycle, garbage, storage Family/Play Area-pools, open areas, play structures

Sequential Plans-Preliminary Designs Break the “bubbles” to show first draft vision of how each landscape area will be shaped. Landscape is given its form, type of materials to be used, and application of landscape design principles. Simple without real details, but the horizontal and vertical relationships between objects and areas are now included. A number of these may be shown before final plans are made.

Sequential Plans-Final Plans Use suggestions and reactions of the client to make a master drawing that is graphically detailed and specific in its intent for the landscape. Include identified plants, paving patterns, and other specific information. Can also include construction drawings for the landscape contractor or subcontractor Graphics are designed to impress

Computer Assisted Also called drawing board CAD (Computer Aided Design) systems are accelerated drafting systems, designed to draw landscape plans using a personal computer.

Graphics B A C Consists of letters and numbers Free-hand lettering Mechanical lettering Computer lettering B A C

Drawing Instruments

Pencils Mechanical Pencils Lead sizes-0.2, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9mm in thickness Uses a lead holder Does not require sharpening

Pencils Drawing Pencils Varying degree of hardness in mechanical and drawing pencils-2B, B, HB, F, H, 2H-9H H is harder lead and produces lighter lines and is less likely to smear B is a softer lead and produces darker lines and will smear A good choice for landscape design is HB-2H

Eraser A vinyl eraser will erase pencil marks without damaging the paper. Magic rub is a good eraser to use.

Compass Adjustable instrument used to draw circles or arcs

T Square Used for drawing vertical or horizontal straight lines that are parallel to the edge of the drawing board

Scale Architect scale Contains scales of ½, ¼, 1/8, 1/16, 3/8, ¾, 3/16 Most commonly used by landscape designer is 1/8

Scale Engineer scale Contains scales of 1/10 (1 inch=10 feet), 1/20, 1/30, 1/40, 1/50, 1/60 Most commonly used by landscape designers is 1/10

Templates Used to draw circles and landscape features such as fences, hedges, etc.

Protractor Used to measure the angle of any two joining lines from 0-180 degrees.

Triangles Used to draw angled lines Most common angles are 45 and 90 degree Other angles are 30, 45, 60 or 90 degree

Drawing Board Gives a smooth surface for drafting paper

Drafting Paper Available as opaque or transparent in a wide variety of sizes Vellum paper (100% cotton) is commonly used for hand drawings Gridded paper is also popular to use in landscape design. Grid size available are ¼”=1’, 1/8”=1’, 1/10”=1’

Landscape Principles and Procedures

Principles of Design Balance Focalization of Interest Simplicity Rhythm and Line Proportion Unity

Balance Materials are distributed evenly on opposite sides of a central axis Three types of balance: Symmetric Asymmetric Proximal/distal Macro-range-the viewer sees the landscape from the most distant vantage point Micro-range-the views from other locations not as distant

Symmetric Balance One side is a reflective mirror image of the opposite side Most formal type of balance

Asymmetric Balance Each side has as much interest as the other Not a duplicate of the other side

Proximal/Distal Balance Balances right and left as well as near and far

Focalization of Interest Selects and positions visually strong items in the landscape composition to create focal points Draws the eye of the viewer to one major feature in each use area Example: corner planting

Simplicity Seeks to make viewers comfortable within the landscape Excludes any unnecessary changes in shape, color, direction, etc.

Rhythm and Line Repeating something at a standard interval or pattern creates rhythm Lines establish the shape and form of the landscape Replicating strong existing lines such as the lines of a house or a pool Functions of line plantings include foundation plantings, block a view, frame a view, and provide privacy.

Proportion The size relationships between all the features of the landscape including vertical, horizontal, and spatial relationships

Proportion Will maintain proper proportional relationships in a landscape between Buildings and people Buildings and plants Plants and people Plants and plants Masses and soils

Unity All the separate parts contribute to the creation of the total design Ties together individual parts of each area by: Repeating prominent colors Repeating construction materials Continuing interior design themes to outdoor rooms Repeat plant species Raise patios, decks, and porches to door level

Landscape Processes Process is a sequence of steps to reach a goal There are three parts to the landscape process Project development Project maintenance Design

Project Development Process Includes determining need or objective Design process Accepting the design Contracting and subcontracting Landscaping Acceptance Billing and payment

Project Maintenance Process Determining need or desire Selecting landscape maintenance company which assesses the needs and presents a proposal If the proposal is accepted, the company schedules and does the work Customer is billed

Design Process Site analysis and program analysis

Interior Landscaping

Interior Landscaping Called interior plantscaping or interiorscaping

Purposes of Interior Landscaping Add color Add textures Add softness Add life Increase employee productivity Decrease employee absenteeism Add oxygen Provide herbs for cooking, medicine, or fragrance Add beauty and comfort by combining all of the previously mentioned purposes

Benefits of Interior Landscaping Adds color, texture, softness, life and oxygen to interior plantscape Increases employee productivity Decreases employee absences from work Provides herbs for cooking, fragrance, or medicine

Disadvantages of Interior Landscaping Reduced light Reduced root system Dependant upon people for watering Build-up of soluble salts from fertilizer Plugging stomata from dust on leaves Damage from heating, air conditioning, and cleaning chemicals

Disadvantages of Interior Landscaping Growing medium Only plants that will grow inside can be used Picking or breaking leaves by people using the interior building area

Benefits of Exterior Landscaping Adds color, texture, and life Adds aesthetic value (beauty) Adds economic value to property Adds comfort (shade) Adds privacy—borders, fences, etc. Helps prevent erosion Can use larger exterior plants Rain natural soil provide most of required water Gets natural light

Disadvantages of Exterior Landscaping May get too much rain and drown Natural soils may have diseases, insects, improper pH, etc. Natural soils may be shallow or rocky Natural outdoor soils may be subject to erosion Weed and insect control is more difficult Large areas of landscaping costs more More labor is required to establish outdoor landscape

Methods of Planting Ornamental Plants

Planting Ornamental Plants Tools vary depending upon type and size of plants from bulb planter, trowel, spade, shovel to power augers and front end loaders.

Planting Ornamental Plants Hole should be larger than plant roots and soil prepared so that new roots will grow in it. Methods of installation are determined by root form whether bare-rooted, balled-and-burlapped or containerized

Balled and Burlapped Plants Balled and burlapped plants have a round soil ball of roots wrapped in burlap fabric. Planted in flat-bottomed, straight-sided hole that is deeper and wider than the ball. Backfill soil should fill the hole enough to raise the plant to the level at which it grew in the nursery. Loose burlap around top of plant. Mounded ring of soil around plant to catch water.

Balled and Burlapped Plants

Containerized Plants Use the same type hold, mounded ring, etc. as balled and burlapped. In addition, the plant must be removed from the container Roots should be unwound or cut at two inch intervals if pot-bound

Bare-rooted Plants Have to have a mound or dome in the bottom of the hole to spread roots and direct roots to grow downward.

Planting Ornamental Plants Tall plants, even small trees, need to be staked to prevent blowing over. Mulching should be done to help retain water, prevent weeds, improve appearance, and minimize temperature fluctuations. Water adequately and frequently enough for healthy plants.

Handling Ornamental Plants Balled and burlapped plants should be handled by the root ball Container grown plants should be handled by the container until removed and then by the root mass

Maintenance of Landscape

What is landscape maintenance? Landscape maintenance includes watering, fertilizing, mulching, pest control, mowing, edging, winterization and pruning of landscape plants.

Watering Landscape Plants Watering should be done at planting and frequently for a few days to prevent roots from drying out and plant wilting. Then less often only as needed. After plants are established watering should be infrequent and enough to wet soil 12”-16” deep. Different plants have different water needs.

Fertilization of Landscape Plants Fertilizer should be mixed in back fill soil at planting for shrubs and trees and in soil bed for annuals and perennials. Fertilization is not usually needed for established trees, but it should be done by making holes with a drill or soil tube about 12” deep and at 24” intervals around the tree at the canopy drip line where needed.

Fertilization of Landscape Plants Shrubs may need small amounts of low analysis fertilizer, but not late in the growing season. Most lawns need fertilizer.

Mulching Mulching should be done at planting and replaced as needed. Mulch must be replaced over time as it decays.

Pest Control Pest control is necessary to control damage from insects, diseases, weeds, and rodents. For most landscape plants, pest control is done is done by treating the beds and other areas with chemicals to prevent weeds, insects and diseases before planting and as observed later.

Mowing Lawns Mowing lawns at the correct height for the type of grass and frequently enough to prevent damage is a key to maintaining lawn.

Edging Edging makes a sharp line of separation between a planting and the lawn. Can be done with tools or with an edging material such as plastic Edging materials should be installed at planting time.

Winterization Prepares the plants for winter or freezing weather. Fertilizing early in growing season prevents soft new growth that will die in winter, mulching, pruning, adequate watering, and pest control all help plants survive freezing temperatures of winter.

Pruning

Pruning Pruning is done to improve appearance and health and to control size and shape of plants. Pruning is usually done in off-seasons when more labor is available. However, some plants have to be pruned at specific times. Early spring blooming shrubs should be pruned as soon as flowers fall off so that new buds can form for next year. Plants that have high sap pressure in early spring such as maples, birches, etc. should not be pruned in the spring.

Pruning

Pruning Damaged branches of trees and shrubs should be removed as soon as possible to prevent more damage to the plant. Newly planted shrubs should be shaped.

Principles of Pruning Shrubs that produce flowers on wood grown the previous season should be pruned immediately after flowers fall off the plant. Examples: Forsythia Azaleas Spirea

Principles of Pruning Shrubs that bloom on the current year’s growth such as roses should be pruned in fall or early spring. Shrubs such as hydrangea and spirea require annual pruning to thin out old dead wood Some suckers or shoots from plant roots should be removed to keep plant from becoming too thick.

Types or Methods of Pruning Thinning removes certain branches to open up the plant and keep the natural shape. Heading back removes the end section of branches at the same height so that new shoots make the plant thicker.

Types of Methods of Pruning Renewal pruning removes old branches that are large and unproductive by cutting them back to ground level. It is usually effective on flowering shrubs. Root pruning is usually done one growing season prior to transplanting. The general rule is that one inch of stem diameter equals 10” of circle diameter for pruning roots around the plant.

Pruning Tools and Supplies

Pruning Tool Tips Keep all pruning tools sharp and clean Keep handles and bolt nuts secure or tight Use caution with cutting tools. “If they cut plants, they can cut you.”

Types of Pruning Tools Pruning Saw Has a blade with coarse teeth Blade may or may not fold into the handle for safety and storage It will cut live or dead limbs

Types of Pruning Tools Pole pruner Has a saw and pruning tool on a pole to remove branches that are up to 12 feet overhead Power Pole Pruners have a power saw on the end of an extended handle

Types of Pruning Tools Grass shears Have two blades designed to cut grass around edges of walks or flower beds

Types of Pruning Tools Lopping Shears Have long handles Will cut limbs from 1” to 1 ½” in diameter

Types of Pruning Tools Hand shears or pruning shears Have a single blade that cuts against another piece of metal or . . . Two blades that work like scissors to cut limbs ½” in diameter

Types of Pruning Tools Hedge Shears Have longer blades that cut tender growth

Types of Pruning Tools Chainsaw Has a gasoline, battery, or electrical powered chain that cuts large limbs from 3” up to the blade length