Planning Guide

Take a good look

Important Questions
(You can use this questionnaire as a worksheet - print this worksheet here

Before embarking on the worthy journey of a new garden it is wise to have these questions answered and arrangements made before the completion of your garden.

A. Who will be doing the maintenance and follow up care for your plants, trees, shrubs and lawn?

B. Who will take care of your irrigation system, blowing out, turning off in late fall and turning on and checking in early summer?

For this next part allow yourself some time:

1 - What budget do you have in mind?

2 -What is your time frame, with Start and Finish dates?

3 - What is the best outcome for yourself, the land and your home with this project?

4 - Do you want M-Squared to work on one particular area of the garden, several areas or the whole garden?  Please explain.
List your priorities.

5 - How do you want the garden to look and feel. Please describe. Is there a style of gardening that would easily fit your lifestyle and the land you are living on?  For example, drought tolerant, native, English cottage garden, Mediterranean?

6 - Collect several important guiding images from gardening magazines or books that have the look and feel you want. 
Please show us. Yes...pictures are worth a thousand words.

7 - Notice other peoples yards. Photograph any that you love.  And show us. Keep all your images together in one place as a works in progress folder.

8 - Describe what you would like to see when you look out into the garden from your house.  You might have a very specific view in mind from a certain window or room.

9 - Are there plants you are allergic to?  Please list. Are there plants you particularly love? What colors are your favorites? What colors aren’t?  What colors do you want to see in the garden Please describe.

10 - Are there easements or HOA restrictions that we need to know about? For example: Fence height or setbacks.

11 - Are there areas on your land that need screening from your neighbors or from traffic? Please be specific.

12 - Are there chronic wet or dry areas on you land, drainage problems or places where plants won’t grow?

13 - Please take time to notice where and how the wind and sun move across your property.  Please describe.

14 - What kind of entertaining would you like to do in your garden? 
Large, small, formal, informal, for children, adults, please explain.

15 - Ultimate wish
If you could have your ultimate wish be granted describe all you want your garden to hold. For example: