Large-scale LANDSCAPING

Landscaping for a large area can be intimidating, but landscape designer Margie Grace knows how to tackle it. Here are her top five tips.

1. STUDY THE SITE. List the existing assets (mature trees, sun exposure, fruit trees, etc.) and liabilities (traffic noise, visual blight to be screened, etc.). Walk around and find the sweet spots—the places you’re drawn to, like the cool shade under a tree or a spot with a good view. Then use this info to guide your design.

2. BREAK IT DOWN. Break the large space into smaller spaces, and assign those smaller spaces functions you want to have outdoors. This is similar to designing indoors with a large open floor plan.

3. FLOOR PLAN FIRST. Just as you have different rooms in the house, you’ll have different rooms outside. For example, you might decide to have an outdoor dining room, living room, play area and cooking area. Lay out these rooms in a functional, pleasing “floor plan”, with rooms sized for what you need, along with good flow and circulation between rooms.

4. ADD-ONS. Add specific elements you want to include, like a hot tub, fire pit, pool or any other element. Then figure out any other specific functions you need, like a veggie garden or dog run, and think through what “room” to place each one in.

5. FINAL FINISHES. Start to layer on planting areas, materials selections such as a gravel floor or prefab fire pit, and outdoor furniture, pots and décor.