Sara Bendrick

To lay out front yard landscaping successfully, begin with the routes people use, the main view of the house and the permanent features you cannot move. Mark the driveway, front door, pathways, utilities, windows, existing trees and drainage areas. Next, position the largest landscape elements, shape the planting beds and arrange plants in connected layers

Start with a site analysis of sunlight, shade, soil type, and drainage, then measure your property and draw a base map to scale on graph paper. Decide what the space must do before you decide how it should look, because the walkway, driveway, and entry approach control everything else. Match the landscape style to your

Measure the property first and sketch a scaled base map showing the house, driveway, walkway, meter boxes and any underground utility lines. Study sun exposure, soil type, drainage and your USDA hardiness zone before choosing a single plant. Divide the space into zones, settle the hardscape, then layer the softscape around it using trees for

The right way is not as complicated as it seems, but it does require one fundamental principle above all else, sequence matters more than anything else. You must assess first, plan second, prepare third, and plant last. This is not optional. Most homeowners reverse this order entirely. They visit a garden center, fall in love