Use Analysis Inventory

Answer the following questions to help clarify your thinking about your interests and needs in the area you're landscaping.

As you did in your site analysis inventory, keep notes on a separate sheet of paper, and use a photocopy or lay a piece of tracing paper over your base plan and make notes over it as appropriate. This will help you to remember what needs to be done, and where.

Parking

• How many cars does your family have?
• Do you need additional off-street parking?
• Do you need parking for guests?
• Do you need parking for boats, recreational vehicles or trailers?

• Do you need privacy from the street?
• Do you need to add an entry walk?
• Do you want an entry court or garden?
• Do you need additional entry lighting?
• Do you need other entry features like fences, walls, decks, etc.?

• What level of maintenance do you want for your landscape (minimum, moderate, etc.)?
• Do you want any higher maintenance areas in your landscape, such as turf areas, annuals, vegetable gardens?
• Do you have plant allergies that might affect maintenance?

• Do you want a vegetable garden?
• Do you add annuals to your garden each year?
• Do you want a greenhouse?
• Do you want cold frames?
• Do you grow roses?
• Do you want to attract wildlife, such as butterflies or birds, to your garden?
• Do you grow perennials or a cutting garden?
• Do you want an herb garden?
• Do you want flower boxes or raised planters?
• Do you want to grow fruit trees, bush fruits or possibly vine fruits?
• Do you have a list of favorite plants?

Contact the El Paso County Colorado State Cooperative Extension office at 719-636-8920 for more specific information on the topics in this section.

• Do you entertain large groups outdoors?
• Do you entertain small groups outdoors?
• Is the style of your gatherings formal?
• Is the style of your gatherings informal?

• Do you know the number of people you need to fit on your patio?
• Do you know the size requirements for your outdoor furnishings?
• Do you know the material you will use for the patio?
• Do you want permanent seating as a part of your patio?
• Do you need to shade the patio?
• Do you know how you will shade the area (umbrellas, trees, overhead structure)?

• Do you need a children's play area?
• Do you need a lawn area? How much?
• Does the lawn area need to be a special shape for certain games?
• Do you need to light the backyard?
• Do you need to level the lawn area to allow for lawn games?
• Have you considered how you will irrigate the lawn? (You'll look more at this in Step 5 of the overall design process.)

Recommended Fact Sheets:
Lawn and Turf Grasses
Evaluating and Improving Your Slope

• Will you install a permanent grill?
• Will you use a portable grill?
• Do you need other components (sink, gas, electricity, etc.)?

• Do you need a compost bin or compost area?
• Do you need storage for gardening equipment, trash or patio furniture?
• Do you use or need a clothes line?

• Do you need a fenced area for your pets?
• Do you need to plan for a doghouse or run?
• Do you need to provide water for your pets?
• Do your pets have other special needs?

• Do you need a paved surface for play or equipment (courts, bike tracks)?
• Will you install swings or other play equipment?
• Do you know what surface you will use under play equipment?
• Do you need a sandbox?
• Do you need to shade the play area?
• Do you need to fence the play area?
• Do you need a storage area for outdoor toys and play equipment?

• Do you need special landscape lighting?
• Do you want to add sculptures or other ornamentation?
• Will you add fountains, waterfalls, pools or ponds?

• Do you want to attract birds or other wildlife to your yard?
• Are there deer in your neighborhood?

• Do you know the "style" of your house and garden (country, colonial, etc.)?
• Is there a concept or theme you wish to follow (Southwestern, Japanese, English Cottage)?
• Do you have specific garden tastes (formal, informal, classical)?
• Do you want specific construction materials (wood, stone, etc.)?

Back to Step 3: Use Analysis.