Landscaping class

[MandiDawn]

I am taking a landscaping class thru the local school district tonight. It runs for 2 weeks, and since our house desperatly needs landscaping, I thought it would be fun. I'll let you all know tomorrow what was talked about. :dance:

[jana]

Ooh, please do! I'm interested to hear all about it!

[Csara]

That sounds great - can't wait to hear about it!

[Turtleheadfred]

That's cool! Definitely post what they say. Since I do landscaping on the side - I want to know what a class would say. I don't think they have anything like that around here... you have to actually go to one of the colleges for anything.

[MandiDawn]

Well - I went to my class last night. It was a two hour class.
The first hour was spent discussing different grasses, trees, shrubs. How they are shaped, how they grow. She gave a lot of handouts on that. Then we spent time creating a "concept plan". (my answers are in green)
To create a concept plan you ask yourself 6 questions:

1. What do I want? Appearance, function, access, storage, security.
to make my house look classy
Automatic lights by front door
Sidewalk to front door
2. Should I change any hard structures? Walkways, driveway, fixed planters, patio, deck, fence, pool, other structures.
Changing all of it - new deck, sidewalk, everything
3. What overall look do I prefer? Style, form/shape, texture, color
I like things to be balanced and semi-formal
I like the color purple
I like plants that smell good.
4. What plant do I already have? Are they healthy and am I keeping them?
I have nothing
5. Maintenance - how much and who does it?
low maintence - about 3 times a year pruning and such
I do it.
6. Cost to install - immediate and long term. Who does the work? three to five year plan?
install it ourselves, low cost - looking for curb appeal to sell our house in a year or two.

The second hour was spent talking about site plans. You should draw a "to scale" plan of your lot, with all structures (house, drive, garage ect) drawn in. You should also place utility lines, and all vegetation that you are keeping on here. Next you show north so you know what areas get full sun (south) or not (north). You should also show windy areas.
Determine what type of soil you have (clay, sand, loam)
and all that will show you what type of plants you can have.
If you house faces south and is sandy - you can't plant a full shade/water loving shrub there. It will die :(

It was so much information - you almost get overwhelmed. I hope I explained everything well. Please ask me to clarify anything I didn't.

i'm going to draw up my site plan sometime this week. Can't wait to get started on actually landscaping. :dance: :dance: :dance:

[Csara]

Thanks for sharing! That is really cool. I wonder if the local school system here offers something like that. I would LOVE to take it.

[MandiDawn]

I get the "continuing education" booklet about 3 times a year in my newspaper. This class only cost $10. They offer all sorts fo stuff from belly-dancing to dog training to scrapbook-making. Call your local school district and ask them. My local community college also does this. It's kinda well-kept secret though.