Site Survey

This isn’t as technical as it sounds but a long tape measure is essential, and it is easier with two people. Start by sketching the site, and then add measurements to it. In particular, find out the position of:—

Location of utilities (water, gas, sewage, telephone, electricity)

Mark in existing hard landscape (patios, paths, boundaries, buildings, ponds)

Prevailing wind direction

Existing soft landscaping to remain in place (trees and shrubs can be retained to preserve mature appearance for screening an ugly view or framing a good view outside the garden, or as structural planting either around the perimeter or within the garden as a form of division, or as specimens of old established trees, or as good weed-free clumps of perennials)

Existing soft landscaping to move — shrubs

Location of problem areas

Location of good areas

Location of items to keep

North position

Soil type, pH and dryness

Garden surroundings

Existing irrigation system/outside water taps

Location of house with the width of its most prominent feature

Site Photographs

Taking photographs from the house showing the existing garden and its surroundings - together with views of the house from the garden - will provide the existing relationship between your garden and its surroundings, together with the extent of the surrounding good or bad views.

 

We can now begin to look at the design itself but do take note of this story:-

An old man, a boy and a female donkey were going to town.  
The boy rode on the donkey and the old man walked.  
As they went along they passed some people who remarked it was a shame the old man was walking and the boy was riding.The man and boy thought maybe the critics were right,
so they changed positions.

 

Then, later, they passed some people who remarked, 
'What a shame, he makes that little boy walk.'
So they then decided they'd both walk!  

 

Soon they passed some more people who thought they were stupid to walk when they had a decent donkey to ride.  
So, they both rode the donkey.

 

Now they passed some people who shamed them by saying how awful to put such a load on a poor donkey. The boy and man figured they were probably right, 
so they decided to carry the donkey.

 

As they crossed a bridge, they lost their grip on the animal and he fell into the river and drowned.

 

The moral of the story?

If you try to please everyone, 

you might as well... 

Kiss your ass goodbye!