Making a Master Plan for Your Yard
You know you want a patio, but how large? What shape? What material? To properly answer these questions, you really need an overall plan for your yard. Landscaping work doesn’t always happen at one time, so to do anything significant like a patio we need to know how it fits into the master plan.
We can help with this.
We always begin with asking what you really want to do in your backyard? What are the actions that will take place there? Once we know that, we are probably clear on what the major features are that you might need.
Major landscape features
Shade
You are definitely going to want to have a plan for shade. Every yard has different sun exposure characteristics so we need a plan that suits your specific yard.
We can help you think through where you need shade and how you can get it.
Commonly we want some areas of our yards to be in full sun and some in shade. In the middle of the summer you are probably going to be wanting that shade, but other times you’ll want to sit in the sun.
The most common ways of creating shade are:
- Trees (Best long-term solution. Excellent cooling, but require years to mature.)
- Permanent built structures such as pergolas, gazebos or solid patio covers.
- Semi-permanent: Umbrellas, shade sails, awnings.
- Temporary: pop-up canopies and tents.
Shelter from wind
It’s unpleasant to be in the wind! We should take notice of where the natural wind exposure is on your yard and think about how to create outdoor shelter.
Play Structures
If you have kids or grandchildren you might want a play structure.
It’s possible you will want the play structure in a place visible from your kitchen window or from your patio. Placement matters!
Open Spaces to Play or Throw a Ball
Open spaces are the most flexible and can be the most fun for kids (or adults!) If you want to be able to play bocce ball, we better have an open grass area.
Vegetable Gardens
If you want to start a vegetable garden in the next year or two you don’t want to set your patio in the sunniest part of the yard. We’ll reserve that for the garden for maximum yield!
Privacy
Every personality is different, but most people want at least one area of their yard to be completely private. It is almost awkward to live without a private outdoor space where you can be outside without being observed. Even if it’s a small area, it’s a good idea.
Connection
The opposite of privacy: Many people want to maintain a connection with their neighbours. Perhaps you even live next door to a relative or friend.
Everyone has different needs and desires here.
Places to Sit and Relax
Where will you sit? What do you need to relax outdoors?
- Hammock
- Lawn furniture
- A grassy area to sun bathe
- Privacy (as noted above)
- A bench near your garden to take breaks from tending it and admire your work
- A place to sit alone
- A place to sit with family and friends
- Places for a huge number of friends to sit
Interesting Things to Look At
We don’t have mountain vistas here in Winnipeg, but we still need something nice to look at as we relax. Humans love to have something to point our attention towards. We like to stare at fire, babbling brooks and trees.
Winnipeg options:
- A water feature
- Trees
- Downtown sky line
- The stars above
- Campfire
- Gardens
- The prairie sky
Putting the puzzle together
All of these things we have discussed so far need to be configured in a smart way so that one does not step on the other. We can help!
Other considerations
Our plan should also consider things like:
Your Interest and Abilities in Maintenance Effort
You know yourself! Some people love tending gardens and lawns. If you are not one of those people, we can keep the maintenance effort really low by design.
How Long You Intend On Staying at Your Home
Some landscaping choices really only make sense if you are planning on being at your residence for a certain length of time. Some are far too expensive for a short period, but can be incredibly cheap amortized over many years.
Resale Value
If you ever plan to sell your house, you might be interested in making more universal choices that even the next owners will enjoy, or making more reversible choices.
Of course your master plan can and probably will change over time, but having a general idea of future projects will inform the work you are doing right now! We’d love to help.