Landscape Planning: Practical Techniques for the Home Gardener

Introduction \ Almost every gardener understands how one thing leads to another. Buy a new shrub and a perennial plant bed needs to be moved. Change the house downspouts and a dry walkway becomes wet. Install a swimming pool and privacy fencing is necessary. As the garden ages, opportunities for development and renovation are always at hand. But how do you determine what's really needed? If an outdoor seating area is required, should it be a wood deck or a brick patio? To create dappled shade overhead, should you plant a locust tree or a Norway maple? And what about that steep slope in the lawn? Could it have a step, or should the grade be changed? Learning to think about landscape planning is what this book offers to home gardeners.\ Landscaping is about making changes and choices in all the areas of your property—in the front lawn and entrance, the private spaces in the backyard, and the functional areas along the driveway and sides of the house. Increasing the beauty of the garden is an important goal of a landscape plan. But equally important is making sure that all the features of your lot are functional and work well. Every garden has its problems, and landscape planning always starts with an objective assessment of the site. This book will guide you through the process of evaluation, sorting out what should be kept or discarded, and helping to prioritize your lists of necessary improvements and discretionary changes. What comes first, a new set of front steps or a personal hot tub? Should the narrow front path be widened, or is in-ground irrigation more important? Learning to evaluate the need for change is just as important as getting the job donewell.\ Plants of every kind are the most prominent features in your garden, and also the most complex and diverse. As living components of the landscape, their value is more than aesthetic—they create a healthy and rewarding context for your outdoor activities. It's important to understand the cultural needs of plants already in your garden, and also the features of plants you will add to the landscape. Understanding the conditions of soil quality, moisture, light and environmental exposure in your garden is an important key to plant selection. This book will show you how to match plant requirements to site conditions, so that new plant purchases will thrive and beautify the garden for many years to come. Making informed choices of plant material is the most crucial step toward successful landscape planning. The many plant lists in this book, with descriptions and photo illustrations, will guide you through a generous selection of plants for every kind of site and circumstance.\ It's often the case that gardening careers begin in small ways, with planting a few flowers or vegetables just outside the back door. But as the garden grows, small gestures soon lead to larger efforts and increasing rewards. Landscape planning is the logical extension of gardening, and you're probably doing it already. Most imagined improvements and attempted changes reflect your interest in developing the garden landscape. This book is meant to encourage and support those interests, and show the way to effective decision-making. You may plan changes requiring professional skills, or perhaps your own hands can do the job. Whether the project is small or large, this book will provide information and alternatives for making the best landscape decisions.\ Take a good look at your garden today, because it's going to change and grow with this book.

IntroductionChapter One: Beyond GardeningWhat Is Landscaping?The Ten Elements of Landscape DesignThe Basis for ChangeWhy Am I Doing This?Moving Mountains: Who Does the Work?Calling for HelpPaying for ItUnderstanding the Basics: Grades, Levels and DrainageHow to Measure the Positive GradeWhere the Water GoesHow Drainage Tiles WorkHow to Install Drainage TilesChapter Two: Planning a LandscapeTen-Point Assessment SurveyPutting It Down on PaperControlling the Landscaping UrgeA Sample Four-Year PlanA Landscaping Plan Step-by-StepCreating Your Own Four-Year Landscaping PlanBefore You BeginMaking Stone SoupChapter Three: Hard LandscapingRaised Edges and Retaining WallsHow to Make a Raised EdgeHow to Build a Retaining WallHow to Terrace a SlopeFences and GatesHow to Create a Living FenceStepsHow to Build StepsPathwaysHow to Make a Gravel PathHow to Make s Stepping-Stone PathwayThe Ten Best Plants for Between Stepping StonesDriveways and Parking SpacesPatios and DecksGarden ShedsTen Best Shed-Covering VinesPools and PondsHow to Install a PondIrrigationLightingTen Best Weeping Shrubs and Small TreesChapter Four: Soft LandscapingTreesTen Best Trees for House and Garage CornersTen Best Trees Distinctive Treesup to 30 Feet (9 M)Ten Best Trees to Create Filtered ShadeShrubsTen Best Shrubs for HedgingTemporary PlantingsPart-Shade to Full ShadeFive of the Best Quick-Growing Temporary PlantsFive of the Best Slow-Growing Permanent PlantsPart-Sun to Full SunFive of the Best Quick-Growing Temporary PlantsFive of the Best Slow-Growing Permanent PlantsFoundation PlantingsTen Best Dwarf Evergreen Foundation PlantsGround Covers and LawnsTen Best Ground Cover PlantsTen Steps to a Better LawnBeds and BordersHow to Edge a BedHow to Renovate an Older Garden BedHills and Steep InclinesBermsTen Best Ornamental GrassesChapter Five: Installing Landscape PlantsShoppingSelecting PlantsUsing Mail Order to Purchase PlantsZone GuidelinesTraveling with PlantsTemporary StorageTen Best Perennials for April and MayTen Best Perennials for June and JulyTen Best Perennials for August and SeptemberTen Best Summer AnnualsGarden ToolsThe Ten Most Necessary ToolsHow To Plant PerennialsHow to Plant a ShrubHow to Plant a TreePlanting for Difficult SituationsTen Best Drought Resistant ShrubsTen Best Ornamental Shrubs for ShadePlanting for Seasonal InterestTen Best Early-Flowering Spring ShrubsTen Best Spring-Flowering Bulbs, Corms and TubersTen Best Plants for Autumn DisplayTen Best Shrubs for Winter InterestChapter Six: Looking After the LandscapeSoil Condition and FertilityPets and DiseasesHorticultural SpraysPruningHow to Prune a TreeHow to Remove a Tree Limb with a Jump-CutHow to Prune Flowering ShrubsHow to Renovate an Overgrown ShrubTen Best Flowering Shrubs and When to Prune ThemCaring for Hard SurfacesWinter ProtectionLast Words: A Comfortable SeatThe Home Gardener's Reference LibraryIndexPhoto Credits

\ Globe and Mail[Review of 1st edition:] This book is worth its weight in gold, a clear, easy to understand boon for new garden owners.\ \ \ \ \ \ Booklist - Carol Haggas\ [Review of 1st edition:] Practical is right! Adam covers all the bases in an exceptionally detailed guide to the mechanics of planning and executing every conceivable type of home landscape feature. Whereas countless books explain landscape design (which plant combination are appropriate for an English country garden look), Adam does the home gardener a tremendous service with straightforward and user-friendly instructions on every conceivable point to consider before any landscape design can be developed or implemented. Clearly, logically, she breaks down various landscape processes into their most elemental forms: ten points of property assessment, how to measure levels of grade, how drainage tiles work. After mastering the basics, Adam thoughtfully provides essential information to help home gardeners bring their best-laid plans to fruition: how to shop for plants; top 10 lawn-care tips; the 10 best trees for seasonal color. For home gardeners just beginning the landscape process,\ or for seasoned veterans contemplating a new project, Adam demystifies even the most daunting tasks in a superlative how-to that virtually guarantees success.\ \ \ \ Canadian Gardening[Review of 1st edition:] A blueprint of ideas for landscapes both large and small.\ \ \ \ \ \ Toronto Sun[Review of 1st edition:] Stunning full page photos, and is overflowing with step-by-step projects, lists and how-to illustrations.\ \ \ \ \ \ Pappus [Royal Botanical Gardens][Review of 1st edition:] A good choice for those who have requested an accessible reference to help with planning or revamping a property.\ \ \ \ \ \ Chatelaine Magazine[Review of 1st edition:] Judith Adam to the rescue ... walks you through garden planning, from figuring out what you want and creating a four-year plan to the nitty-gritty of landscaping. The pictures are inspirational, but there are plenty of useful how-to drawings and step-by-step projects, too.\ \ \ \ \ \ Toronto Sun[Review of 1st edition:] This hefty volume is beautifully photographed ... Just about every imaginable aspect of gardening is here in a friendly, plain speaking, altogether comprehensive manner ... the book is a well-designed, beautifully laid out collection any gardener would be proud to have on his shelf.\ \ \ \ \ \ Kingston Whig-Standard[Review of 1st edition:] Adam's book has all the necessary details to create a successful design ... If you truly want to make your garden design become reality, then Adam's Landscape Planning is an investment that will help you make your landscape dreams come true.\ \ \ \ \ \ January Magazine[Review of 1st edition:] Do not look for whimsy and romance because they are not included in this book. There are, however, many strong examples of practical solutions to tricky problems, like clever ways to catch water and prevent puddling in a lawn. Adam makes you think hard about making work for yourself and cautions us to think twice before using materials such as wood and traditional paint ... Judith Adam approaches an often daunting task in a straightforward manner and provides the homeowner with an thorough primer on landscape management.\ \ \ \ \ \ Kitchener-Waterloo Record[Review of 1st edition:] Judith knows her stuff and brings it all together in this book ... It's exactly the kind of book I wish I'd had when I began laying out my yard.\ \ \ \ \ \ Washington GardenerAdam includes practical advice that applies to us mere gardeners, as well as landscapers... I enjoyed the sense of humor Adam employs throughout the book.... The market is saturated with landscape planning books. Still, this one is a very useful book for the practical advice it imparts.\ \ \ \ \ \ Kingston This WeekDesigned to take the guesswork out of planning any landscaping project.... This comprehensive guide is a must-have for homeowners and avid gardeners alike.\ \ \ \ \ \ Toronto Star[2nd ed] Judith Adams has given all wishful thinkers wonderful ideas to transform garden dreams into reality. This revised and expanded edition takes the reader from reading about design to actually moving dirt in an easy-to-follow manner. ... The photos and drawings accompanying the "how to" sections provide a clear picture for readers to follow. Adam stays true to her counsel at the beginning to capture our garden in the now. For the rest of the book, as you ponder and plot your water feature and terrace, that scruffy, overgrown lot has long since disappeared.\ \ \ \ \ \ HomeDigest.comIt's always good to encounter a no-nonsense book that ...at least points you in the right direction with good, practical common-sense advice. Landscape Planning is such a book and is worth a solid recommendation. Everybody will find something useful in this profusely illustrated guide, from newbies with perfect manicures to oldsters with green-stained thumbs.... It also explains how to plant items and (heaven be praised for the busy Toronto gardener) how to plan a low-maintenance garden. I particularly like the section on planting for two bursts of bloom in one location.... If you choose to rely on one gardening book, and one only, then Ms. Adam's book has much to recommend it. Everything is presented in plain-speaking, no-nonsense terms.\ \ \ \ \ \ Tucson CitizenAn immediate hit.... This is a handsome book that is highly readable and user-friendly.... More than 300 full color photographs and illustrations should be an inspiration to even those of us who don't' knokw the difference between a trowel and a tuber.\ \ \ \ \ \ Chicago Botanic GardenLandscape designer and horticulturist Judith Adam skillfully conducts the reader through the steps in creating and implementing a landscape plan in this revised edition of her popular book... The book certainly lives up to its title: the author gives very wise advice on an impressive variety of garden topics that are rarely considered in such manuals. Handsomely illustrated, it is highly recommended as one of the most comprehensive, up-to-date works on general gardening.\ \ \ \ \ \ Waterloo Region RecordAll-encompassing.\ \ \ \ \ \ Canadian Homes & CottagesProviding tonnes of information...Judith Adam explains the entire process from planning to designing to choosing plants and materials.\ \ \ \ \ \ The Sudbury Star475 colour photographs and illustrations...beautifully complement the Ten Best lists, step-by-step projects and how-to drawings. If you are a professoinal landscaper, homeowner or avid gardener (perhaps any or all of the above), this one is a must-have.\ \ \ \ \ \ The Leduc Representative (Leduc AB)This book will guide the do-it-yourself landscaper on everything from building a deck or wall to planting trees or shrubs and everything else in between. It has a coffee-table book feel to it, with stunning full page photos and is overflowing with step-by-step projects, lists and how-to illustrations.\ \ \ \ \ \ The Patriot-News [Harrisburg PA]This is a thorough how-to book for anyone trying to tackle his or her own landscape project.\ \ \ \ \ \ Canadian House & HomeCanadian landscaper Judith Adam's new guide is a goldmine of planning information, and a must-have if you're considering a landscape project. Her clear advice, supported by more than 300 photos and drawings of enviable garden details, will have even novices plotting gravel and stone pathways, making educated plant choices, building berms and generally revelling in their newfound expertise. Best feature: The handy "Ten Best" lists -- as in Ten Best Drought-Resistant Shrubs and Ten Best Shed Covering Vines.\ \ \ \ \ \ The Gazette (Colorado Springs CO)Landscape Planning ... pulls together the elementes needed to generate a comprehensive landscape design.\ \ \ \ \ \ The Washington Post and washingtonpost.comNearly 500 color photographs and illustrations will give you the confidence to improve your property.\ \ \ \ \ \ Central Alberta Life (Red Deer, AB)The book is a good beginner-level choice for someone who wants a general idea of tackling a new landscape.\ \ \ \ \ \ Seattle Post-IntelligencerWhat a delightful book for beginning gardeners or new homeowners. The how-to information is diagrammed simply for do-it-yourself projects, and the garden ideas are practical as well as pleasing to the eye. Following chapters on planning and hardscapes is a useful section of 27 "10 best" lists for trees, plants, grasses and more. Beginning designers will be able to make decisions more easily thanks to this focused approach to problem solving and plant selection. This second edition of a garden classic includes a chapter on low-maintenance and self-reliant gardening.\ What a delightful book for beginning gardeners or new homeowners. The how-to information is diagrammed simply for do-it-yourself projects, and the garden ideas are practical, as well as pleasing to the eye. Following chapters on planning and hardscaping is a useful section of 27 "10 best" lists for trees, plants, grasses and more. Beginning designers will be able to make decisions more easily thanks to this focused approach to problem solving and plant selection. This second edition of a garden a classic includes a chapter on low-maintenance and self-reliant gardening.\ \ \ \ \ \ online.WSJ.com (The Wall Street Journal)A Canadian best-seller since 2002, this revised and expanded how-to book includes new information on low-maintenance and dry-land gardening--both timely topics given concern over global warming.\ \ \ \ \ \ Homemaker's[Review of 1st edition:] Best of the best of this year's design books: 'Cuts through confusion'\ \ \ \ \ \ HGTV.com[Review of 1st edition:] The title of this book describes it well. A novice gardener with some ambition but little know-how can look here for solutions to problems ... Information is nicely organized with color and black and white illustrations and large photographs. ... Adams helps readers make decisions ... Anyone with a budding interest in gardening or someone looking for a handy 'how to' guide would enjoy this book.\ \ \ \ \ \ The Washington PostNearly 500 color photographs and illustrations will give you the confidence to improve your property.\ — Joel M. Lerner\ \ \ \ \ Chicago Tribute-CityOne of the best things about the second edition of Landscape Planning is the "ten-point assessment survey," which gives you specific you specific questions to think about as you walk your present landscape and consider its positives and deficiencies. Adams goes on to give plenty of clear, practical advice for what to do about it....For anyone with a new landscape, or making a new start in an old one, this book is a solid foundation.\ \ \ \ \ \ The Wall Street JournalThis revised and expanded how-to book includes new information on low-maintenance and dry-land gardening--both timely topics given concern over global warming.\ — June Fletcher\ \ \ \ \ icangarden.comA hands-on guide to landscaping for homeowners. Includes all basics, projects, more than 20 best plants lists, irrigation ideas and lawn tips. Judith has put together a very user friendly, full of good solid information book. She offers ideas and alternatives to what can most times be an overwhelming prospect.\ \ \ \ \ \ The Record (Waterloo ON)An all-encompassing guide to residential landscaping.\ \ \ \ \ \ Chatelaine MagazineThe pictures are inspirational, but there are plenty of useful how-to drawings and step-by-step projects, too.\ \ \ \ \ Ann MilovsoroffA good choice for those who have requested an accessible reference to help with planning or revamping a property.\ \ \ \ \ David HobsonJudith knows her stuff and brings it all together in this book ... It's exactly the kind of book I wish I'd had when I began laying out my yard. \ —Kitchener-Waterloo Record\ \ \ \ \ Annette McLeodBeautifully photographed ... Just about every imaginable aspect of gardening is here in a friendly,plain speaking,altogether comprehensive manner. . \ —Toronto Sun\ \ \ \ \ 1Globe and MailThis book is worth its weight in gold,a clear,easy to understand boon for new garden owners. . .\ \ \ \ \ Globe and MailThis book is worth its weight in gold,a clear,easy to understand boon for new garden owners. . .\ \ \ \ \ Nanci CorriganAdam's book has all the necessary details to create a successful design. ..\ —Kingston Whig-Standard\ \ \ \ \ Library JournalHorticulturist and landscape designer Adam (New City Gardener), who frequently appears on HGTV and the Discovery Channel, offers a comprehensive treatment of landscaping for the home gardener, beginning with an objective assessment of the property and prioritizing a list of improvements. A four-year plan allows the landscaping to proceed as time and budget allow. Both hard landscaping (paths, walls, patios, water features, irrigation, and lighting) and soft landscaping (trees, shrubs, ornamental grasses, perennials, annuals, and ground covers) are clearly described. Adam pays attention to installing and caring for plants, and she offers 22 "ten best" plant lists for various situations, such as the ten best filtered shade trees (giving both Latin and common names). Other lists describe the ten steps to a better lawn or the ten essential gardening tools. Step-by-step directions are provided for projects such as installing a pond, path, or mowing strip. This exhaustive treatment is comparable to Rita Buchanan's Taylor's Master Guide to Landscaping and could serve as a textbook for a landscaping class. Recommended for all gardening collections. Nancy Myers, Univ. of South Dakota Lib., Vermillion Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.\ \ \ \ \ Pappus [Royal Botanical Gardens][Review of 1st edition:] A good choice... an accessible reference to help with planning or revamping a property.\ — Ann Milovsoroff\ \ \ \ \ Kingston Whig-Standard[Review of 1st edition:] Adam's book has all the necessary details to create a successful design.\ — Nanci Corrigan\ \ \ \ \ Canadian Gardening[Review of 1st edition:] A blueprint of ideas for landscapes both large and small.\ — Lorraine Flanigan\ \ \ \ \ Booklist[Review of 1st edition:] A superlative how-to that virtually guarantees success.\ — Carol Haggas\ \ \ \ \ January Magazine[Review of 1st edition:] Practical solutions to tricky problems... approaches an often daunting task in a straightforward manner.\ — Laura-Jean Kelly\ \ \ \ \ Toronto StarThis revised and expanded edition takes the reader from reading about design to actually moving dirt in an easy-to-follow manner.\ — Peggy Mackenzie\ \ \ \ \ HomeDigest.comEverybody will find something useful in this profusely illustrated guide, from newbies with perfect manicures to oldsters with green-stained thumbs.\ — Richard Rix\ \ \ \ \ Washington GardenerAdam includes practical advice that applies to us mere gardeners, as well as landscapers... a very useful book.\ — Tom Torrance\ \ \ \ \ Chicago Botanic GardenVery wise advice... Handsomely illustrated, it is highly recommended as one of the most comprehensive, up-to-date works on general gardening.\ — Marilyn K. Alaimo\ \ \ \ \ Tucson CitizenAn immediate hit.... This is a handsome book that is highly readable and user-friendly.\ — Larry Cox\ \ \ \ \ Waterloo Region RecordAll-encompassing.\ — Jon Fear\ \ \ \ \ Canadian Homes & CottagesProviding tonnes of information...Judith Adam explains the entire process from planning to designing to choosing plants and materials.\ — Steven Chester\ \ \ \ \ The Sudbury Star[For the] professional landscaper, homeowner or avid gardener (perhaps any or all of the above), this one is a must-have.\ — Ian Munt\ \ \ \ \ The Leduc Representative (Leduc AB)[It has] stunning full page photos and is overflowing with step-by-step projects, lists and how-to illustrations.\ — Canoe wire story\ \ \ \ \ The Patriot-News [Harrisburg PA]This is a thorough how-to book for anyone trying to tackle his or her own landscape project.\ — George Weigel\ \ \ \ \ Canadian House & HomeLandscaper Judith Adam's new guide is a goldmine of planning information, and a must-have if you're considering a landscape project.\ — Jennifer David\ \ \ \ \ The Gazette (Colorado Springs CO)Landscape Planning ... pulls together the elementes needed to generate a comprehensive landscape design.\ — Joel Lerner\ \ \ \ \ The Washington Post and washingtonpost.comNearly 500 color photographs and illustrations will give you the confidence to improve your property.\ — Joel M. Lerner\ \ \ \ \ online.WSJ.com (The Wall Street Journal)This revised and expanded how-to book includes new information on low-maintenance and dry-land gardening--both timely topics given concern over global warming.\ — June Fletcher\ \ \ \ \ Kingston This WeekThis comprehensive guide is a must-have for homeowners and avid gardeners alike.\ — Rob Mooy\ \ \ \ \ Sudbury Star[For the] professional landscaper, homeowner or avid gardener (perhaps any or all of the above), this one is a must-have.\ — Ian Munt\ \ \ \ \ Seattle Post-IntelligencerWhat a delightful book for beginning gardeners or new homeowners.... a garden classic.\ — Marianne Binetti\ \ \ \ \ Toronto Sun[Review of 1st edition:] Every imaginable aspect of gardening is here in a friendly, plain speaking, altogether comprehensive manner.\ — Annette McLeod\ \ \ \ \ Kitchener-Waterloo Record[Review of 1st edition:] Exactly the kind of book I wish I'd had when I began laying out my yard.\ — David Hobson\ \ \ \ \ Chatelaine Magazine[Review of 1st edition:] Adam to the rescue... inspirational, but there are plenty of useful how-to drawings and step-by-step projects.\ — Bonnie Schiedel\ \