Right
Plant | Water | Mulch
| Recycle | Fertilize
| Pest Control | Reduce Runoff
| Wildlife | Waterfront
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Introduction | Five Steps to Landscape Design | Common Mistakes
Resist (for now) the temptation to rush out and purchase plants. That will come later! If you have an in-ground sprinkler system, or are planning to put one in, make sure the designs for the landscape and sprinkler system match each other. South Carolina is a diverse state which includes several climatic zones. Soil types, temperature ranges and rainfall patterns differ dramatically from region to region. It's important to remember that a plant that thrives in a friend's yard on the coast may freeze in your yard just a few miles inland. Different conditions often exist in the same yard. The front yard may be high and dry, while the backyard may be poorly drained and soggy. Once you know your site conditions and have decided how you will use your yard, you are ready to begin with the step of plant selection. The Cooperative Extension Service has resources to help you with your selections. Prioritize your landscape projects, and then work on them one at a time.
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landscape design hinges on one basic concept—the right plant
in the right place. Careful planning and site evaluation are the
first steps in applying this concept. The following checklists will
guide you through some important considerations and decisions you
should make when designing a landscaped area.
- Determine your soil pH.
Credit: 3 inches.
- Reduce the need for water, fertilizer,
pesticides and pruning by using plants suited to the site conditions
in your yard.
Credit: 2 inches.
- Group plants according to their maintenance
needs. For example, group drought-tolerant plants with low-water needs
separately from lawn areas.
Credit: 2 inches.
- Determine how much grass you need for children,
pets and recreation. Use low-maintenance ground covers, shrubs, mulch
or other porous surfaces where possible.
Credit: 3 inches.
- Save energy by using trees and shrubs to
shade the air conditioner compressor and eastern and western walls of
your home.
Credit: 1 inch.
- Use deciduous trees or shrubs on southern
exposures to allow sun to passively heat your home in the winter.
Credit: 1 inch.
- Help stop the spread of invasive exotic
plants, like kudzu, by removing them from your yard. Contact the Dept.
of Plant Industry office for more information on invasive plants.
Credit: 2 inches.
- Reduce yard waste by choosing plants that
will not require frequent pruning when they reach maturity.
Credit: 1 inch.
- Preserve native plants, especially trees,
when building on a new site. Maintain a protective "do not disturb"
barrier under the dripline of trees.
Credit: 3 inches.
___Total Inches