Day 1: Planning and Design Fundamentals
Time: ~60 minutes | Section: Planning and Design (23% of exam)
Video Resources
Watch These First
Site Analysis Tutorial – Professional Garden Design (10 min)7 Principles of Landscape Design Explained (8 min)7 Principles of Landscape Design – Complete Guide (15 min)How to Grade Land – Practical Demo (12 min)
Learning Objectives
- Understand the landscape design process
- Know how to conduct a site analysis
- Interpret grading plans and symbols
- Understand basic design principles
Part 1: The 5 Phases of Landscape Design
- Client Consultation – Needs, wants, budget, maintenance expectations
- Site Analysis – Survey existing conditions, utilities, drainage, sun/shade
- Conceptual Design – Bubble diagrams, use areas, circulation
- Design Development – Detailed drawings, plant selection, irrigation
- Construction Documentation – Final plans, materials list, permits
Key Terms
- Bubble Diagram: Preliminary sketch showing areas and relationships
- Hardscape: Non-living elements (patios, walls, walkways)
- Softscape: Living elements (plants, trees, lawns)
- Grading: Reshaping land contours for drainage
- Setback: Required distance from property line
Part 2: Site Analysis
Always call 811 before digging!
Document These:
- Property boundaries and dimensions
- Existing structures and hardscape
- Utilities (overhead and underground)
- Sun exposure patterns
- Drainage patterns
- Soil type and condition
- Legal considerations (easements, setbacks, HOA)
Part 3: Reading Grading Plans
Contour lines close together = steep slope
Common Symbols:
- TC = Top of Curb
- FL = Flow Line
- TW = Top of Wall
- FF = Finished Floor
- HP/LP = High Point/Low Point
Slope Formula: Rise divided by Run = Percentage
- Minimum drainage from structures: 2%
- Max for lawns: 25%
- Max for ADA walkways: 5%
Part 4: 7 Principles of Design
- Unity – Cohesive, connected
- Balance – Symmetrical or asymmetrical
- Proportion – Scale to surroundings
- Rhythm – Repetition creates movement
- Focalization – Focal points draw attention
- Transition – Gradual change
- Line – Straight=formal, Curved=informal
Interactive Quiz
1. Contour lines close together indicate:
2. Minimum drainage slope from buildings:
3. Before excavation, you must:
4. Bubble diagrams are used in which phase?
5. Which principle uses repetition for movement?
Key Concepts to Memorize
- 5 Phases: Consultation then Site Analysis then Conceptual then Development then Documentation
- Minimum drainage slope: 2%
- Always call 811 before digging
- Contour lines close = steep slope
- Slope = Rise divided by Run
Tomorrow: Day 2 – Plant Selection and Growing Conditions
