BMW Garage | BMW Meets | Register | Today's Posts | Search |
11-08-2018, 09:23 PM | #1 |
Lieutenant General
11696
Rep 11,175
Posts |
Landscaping
About to embark on getting my entire backyard redone. Right now, it's essentially a blank canvas. I have an architect coming over this weekend, but wanted to see if anyone had gone through a project such as this before and could enlighten me with things to keep in mind.
I essentially want to have a grassy area, a patio area and a cooking area along with some sitting area and a fire pit. Things I know I will need to keep in my are electric, ensuring I have WiFi coverage, make sure I have enough light, etc. etc. Pictures would be great, along with any tips. Thanks! |
11-08-2018, 10:06 PM | #2 |
Lieutenant General
9191
Rep 14,521
Posts |
with you being in Texas and how freakin' hot it gets there i guess you'll have to take into consideration what types of plants, grass and trees you could grow in that type of heat? i would look into Allyn Haynes "The Lawn Care Nut" for warm season type grasses. he's got plenty of videos for you there. as far as landscaping plants, bushes and trees check out Laura from the "Garden Answer"
https://www.youtube.com/user/LawnCareMidwest https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_k...Aa66hZWq7VPg7Q
__________________
~F90Conversion~21"3Piece Forged AvantGardeWheels~KWV1Coilovers~CQUENCE slotted/drilled rotors~GoodridgeStainlesslines~MeisterschaftQuadEx haust~Akrapovic 4"tips~VRSF DP~VRSF CP~TurboSmart BOV~K&N filter~CarbonFiberExteriorComponents~GladenAlphaCo mponents~MatchUp7BMW~Punch P300-12T~ Follow me on Instagram: lsturbointeg |
Appreciate
0
|
11-08-2018, 11:38 PM | #3 |
Major General
3105
Rep 5,582
Posts |
I’m into this.
Local universities have extensions that aid home owners in soil, and plant recommendations. There is an effort to not introduce non-native flora into locations so ask about this. It’s something you can use as you do your own research even if you use a pro. If you use a landscape architect the pricing structure dial in early, so if you don’t like the first work-up how much will a second or third work-up cost - there should be significant reductions if you need a second or third effort. I personally don’t like to bring in a rocks, gravel or pebbles and I don’t like having concrete poured. There are really nice surface stone and locating them properly is a real art. Browse Architectural Digest for ideas. Things like lighting bollards check Bega Lighting for ideas. Lighting is tricky, if you mount lighting high that can really detract. Will you be using pro gardeners to maintain or will you maintain it yourself? Last edited by overcoil; 11-08-2018 at 11:47 PM.. |
11-09-2018, 05:24 AM | #4 |
First Lieutenant
183
Rep 320
Posts |
I have a 1/2 acre with walk out house and landscaped 95% of it myself. Large retaining walls, variety of trees, etc. One of the biggest differences I see between nice yards and very nice yards is 3 dimensions. Most plan their yard length and width, but when you add height, it changes it. Try some hills. If you want trees, plant them on the hills, they are instantly taller.
|
Appreciate
1
P111696.00 |
11-09-2018, 06:58 AM | #5 |
Lieutenant Colonel
1226
Rep 1,584
Posts |
Wrt the landscape architect:
1. Get a sense if the landscape architect can match your preferred style (e.g. modern, olde English, traditional, etc...) 2. Determine if they are an artsy-type and if you are good w/ that 3. Find out about warranty on plantings 4. Budget. can the project be structured in phases (if the total $ is too high)? do they care if you do some of it yourself? 5. Pricing structure. break up material vs labor vs haul-off for different sections and/or phases. 6. is the landscape architect part of the company providing the labor or just a guy in the middle cutting a fee? In general: 1. Use local plants as much as possible. Even better if they are sourced local. 2. Consider upkeep costs. Are some plants water thirsty, prefer shade, drought resistant, etc...? 3. If they do any downspout burying, make sure the 'technique' is per your desire (e.g. leaf grates, substrate at the end drain, french drain, etc...).
__________________
- Jeff
bosstones' flickr |
11-09-2018, 09:13 AM | #8 |
Lieutenant Colonel
1226
Rep 1,584
Posts |
^ throw in any amount of pavers and it'll be really, really expensive.
I would also indirectly poke at if there is a fee for the plan and who owns it afterwards. In my case, I mainly wanted an overall, encompassing plan. For the cost of the layout/plan fee, I might as well have had them do some of the plantings (upfront vs rolled up cost) so I went w/ the latter for part of the plan. I'll be doing most of the rest myself.
__________________
- Jeff
bosstones' flickr |
Appreciate
0
|
11-09-2018, 02:34 PM | #9 |
Space Force - 4 Star General
11480
Rep 3,265
Posts |
Insist on 100% documented, American citizen laborers. Sure, it'll cost you more but you'll be supporting America.
|
Appreciate
2
upstatedoc7527.50 King Rudi13065.50 |
11-09-2018, 02:49 PM | #10 |
Colonel
1215
Rep 2,404
Posts |
Get a concrete bid from the architect, not just a number thrown out of the air. Landscape Architects are great at design but usually horrible at business, it almost always ends up being double what they predict.
Also make sure they give a warranty the plants for at least a year, weather changes quickly in Austin, it's hard to time it right. |
Appreciate
0
|
11-09-2018, 03:38 PM | #11 |
Lieutenant General
9191
Rep 14,521
Posts |
don't forget irrigation! if you plan on doing grass areas like you mentioned, definitely invest in an irrigation system that includes any flower beds you may do! regardless, the maintenance cost on landscaping after everything is done is gonna be ridiculous! I didn't know what I was getting into after purchasing my house with a lot of landscaping. unless you pay a contractor to do it which is gonna cost you a lot more than if you do the maintenance yourself and i'm referring to lawn equipment, fertilizer, weed spray, pest control...the list goes on!!!!! but I love every minute of it because it's mine!!!!!
__________________
~F90Conversion~21"3Piece Forged AvantGardeWheels~KWV1Coilovers~CQUENCE slotted/drilled rotors~GoodridgeStainlesslines~MeisterschaftQuadEx haust~Akrapovic 4"tips~VRSF DP~VRSF CP~TurboSmart BOV~K&N filter~CarbonFiberExteriorComponents~GladenAlphaCo mponents~MatchUp7BMW~Punch P300-12T~ Follow me on Instagram: lsturbointeg |
11-10-2018, 09:43 AM | #12 |
Lieutenant Colonel
1226
Rep 1,584
Posts |
^ Good point. One of the reasons I wanted an overall plan was so I could eventually put in irrigation (makes no sense to put it in them have to move parts of it). Watering an acre lot sucks using conventional means.
Good to factor in if the landscape architect/company provides that service or partners with one that does, OP.
__________________
- Jeff
bosstones' flickr |
Appreciate
1
lsturbointeg9191.00 |
11-10-2018, 10:13 AM | #13 |
Brigadier General
11517
Rep 4,857
Posts |
An irrigation system is important during dry spells, which are inevitable. However, sticking with native plants that have similar irrigation needs should mitigate the need for watering on a regular basis all year/season long. When you start mixing plants that require different levels of irrigation you end up with some things getting too much water or some things getting not enough water (or both). Maybe it’s different in other regions but I have always tried to follow the rule of watering the lawn as little as possible, as doing so helps encourage deeper root growth. I’m not suggesting there isn’t a need for an irrigation system - just suggesting trying to plan things in a way that considers how everything will co-exist.
__________________
Current: 2018 SO/SS F83 ZCP
Gone: 2015 SO/SO F82 |
Appreciate
1
lsturbointeg9191.00 |
11-10-2018, 03:30 PM | #14 | |
Lieutenant General
9191
Rep 14,521
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
~F90Conversion~21"3Piece Forged AvantGardeWheels~KWV1Coilovers~CQUENCE slotted/drilled rotors~GoodridgeStainlesslines~MeisterschaftQuadEx haust~Akrapovic 4"tips~VRSF DP~VRSF CP~TurboSmart BOV~K&N filter~CarbonFiberExteriorComponents~GladenAlphaCo mponents~MatchUp7BMW~Punch P300-12T~ Follow me on Instagram: lsturbointeg |
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-10-2018, 03:31 PM | #15 | |
Lieutenant General
9191
Rep 14,521
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
~F90Conversion~21"3Piece Forged AvantGardeWheels~KWV1Coilovers~CQUENCE slotted/drilled rotors~GoodridgeStainlesslines~MeisterschaftQuadEx haust~Akrapovic 4"tips~VRSF DP~VRSF CP~TurboSmart BOV~K&N filter~CarbonFiberExteriorComponents~GladenAlphaCo mponents~MatchUp7BMW~Punch P300-12T~ Follow me on Instagram: lsturbointeg |
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-11-2018, 01:19 AM | #16 |
2JZ-GTE
3137
Rep 4,105
Posts |
Pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-11-2018, 11:14 AM | #18 | |
Lieutenant General
11696
Rep 11,175
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-11-2018, 11:17 AM | #19 | |
Lieutenant General
11696
Rep 11,175
Posts |
Quote:
An example: |
|
Appreciate
2
lsturbointeg9191.00 EL Jeffe 5613.00 |
11-11-2018, 11:18 AM | #20 |
Lieutenant General
11696
Rep 11,175
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-11-2018, 11:19 AM | #21 |
Lieutenant General
11696
Rep 11,175
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-11-2018, 11:20 AM | #22 | |
Lieutenant General
11696
Rep 11,175
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|