Punch Home Design Suite-Level 2 Design Within a Budget-Landscape Design

Know the Client

Home landscapes are planned to meet the needs and desires of the homeowners who use the outdoor space. For example, a homeowner who does not play basketball would not want to put a basketball hoop outside his or her home.

Consider the factors that contribute to homeowners' landscaping needs.

Homeowners may want the following:

• Specific plants because of allergies

• Design features for children or animals to enjoy

• A way to attract birds, butterflies, or wildlife

• Privacy from neighbors' views

• More or less shade

• Plants that require less water, if they live in a dry climate

Know the Environment

Soil

Soil has different characteristics that contribute to the success or failure of a plant. The separate regions in the United States have different soil types that determine which plants can be cultivated.

Soil can be either loamy, sandy or clayey. Look at the diagrams for definitions of each. 

Plant Hardiness

The zones on the United State Department of Agriculture's Plant Hardiness Zone Map (see below) describe average temperature fluctuations. Since plants are categorized by the temperature extremes they are able to withstand, plants are labeled by the zones in which they can survive.

Water

Plants require different amounts of water to survive. Plants can experience moisture stress from too little water, as well as too much water. 

Rain is the first source of water, and irrigation can supplement rainfall. Humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air. 

Sunlight

Sunlight is a form of energy. Plants need light to provide the energy for photosynthesis, which is the process used by plants to convert carbon dioxide into sugars or oxygen.

The various colors in the color spectrum of light are not equally effective in photosynthesis. Plus, not all plants do best with the same colors of light. The strength of the light also makes a difference.