In a residential landscape plan, site analysis is a very important part of the process.  But just what is it?  Site Analysis is compiling and synthesizing information found during the site survey that you will use in the development of your landscape plan.  Very often this information is then presented in a visual form, and you can read more about this in the next article. 

During this step in the planning process you will be asking yourself some important questions. Sounds simple enough, doesn’t it?  The problem is that knowing what questions to ask yourself.  This can be very difficult for someone without formal training, because many of the important questions may look unrelated to the project you envision.     DIY green landscapers need to do an evaluation of the most important considerations on the property.  We want to point you in the right direction.

Performing a self assessment helps provide you with important answers to your landscape challenges.  Also, don’t be afraid to use available community resources to help, such as your county extension agent.  They have fantastic information readily available to save you time and do it right. 

Some of the questions you want to ask when you perform your site analysis are:

What kind of neighborhood do you live in? 

Urban, rural, suburban landscapes each have a character that should be considered, as well as the challenges each present.   We might like to forget the neighbors, but most of us have to consider the consequences of our decisions on the others in our environment.

What style is the house? 

Pleasing landscapes are not only a personal preference.  Whether it’s formal or informal, matching the landscape to the architectural style of your home will make it feel more harmonious.

Are you replacing or newly installing a landscape? 

Each is challenging in different ways.  Remember to work with the existing environment as much as possible.

What is your landscape budget?

Will you need to stage the project to meet financial constraints? Trying to achieve too much with too little in too short a time frame can lead to making costly mistakes for your bottom line and the environment 

What will the spaces in the landscape be used for? 

A busy young family will require a very different landscape than a retired couple. You can decide what and where things might go during the site analysis. 

How much lawn is required?

Sustainable landscapes utilize lawns for recreational needs and visual relief.  Deciding how much is enough, but not too much will keep you in the green.

What is the landscape budget?  

Estimating costs is the best way to decide what must happen and in what order.  Going green will really help save you money in the long run, so don’t skimp on the essentials.

Who maintains the landscape?

Knowing who will be doing the required maintenance can help you decide how to plan your landscape and how much landscape to plan.