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Laman web untuk rujukan rumput turf
The Malaysian turf reference website.
 

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 In the last issue we discussed about the principles of landscape design. Now that you know the theory, how do you you start? Well you start by not planting anything on the ground until you've put it on paper first.

We could talk about it in a serious way but if you really are serious about your landscaping you probably should be looking at some serious books on landscaping. I am assuming you are a layman or a novice but wants to know more about landscaping. Landscaping your house or any compound can be fun and a great hobby so I would rather we talk about it in a simple way. Or you could be a big shot who is hiring a contractor to landscape your building or recreation area and you want to know more what the contractor is doing.

First thing I would suggest is; let the whole family or the people in the office do a design; you may be surprised at the ideas you get! Some ground (pun intended) rules I would like to suggest you put forward before you begin your discussion:

Are there people with special needs that needs special consideration? For example people with disability or little children. Raised beds or wider paths may be the answer for wheelchairs. Sturdy fencing or tough trees may be needed for people who need to support themselves

If you managed to get through that discussion without too much fuss, which usually means your family members or the staff don't care or maybe because you used your veto powers, then its time to go to the steps of developing a landscape design. The more efficient you are in using these steps then the better chances you have of having the landscape you want.

1. Decide what you want and need. What are your priorities? Is it entertaining friends, playing with the kids, growing flowers and vegetables, or simply relaxing in a hammock? Is it a place for staff to wind down during break time or to smoke? Is it the entrance to impress shareholders? How much maintenance are you willing to do?
    
2. Determine what you have to work with. There are some aspects of your existing area that you cannot or do not want to change. (Driveways and existing large trees for example). Also remember your budget constraints.
    
3. Always bear in mind about future maintenance work. How much work do you want to do or money can you afford to spend? Choose plants that are easier to maintain and remember to not plant too many types of plants in too small places. It may look good now but can you maintain it later?
    
4. If your area is big, you may want to plant your landscape in stages. But design it as a whole.
    
5. Make a map of your property. Draw a "bird's eye view" to scale on graph paper. Be sure to include:

5.   Use tracing paper to draw your ideas. These could include trees, a gazebo, flower bed, shrubs, an orchard, a pond, or sculpture. Never mind exactly what trees or shrubs or flowers yet. Have a rough idea first. Lay the tracing paper over the map to get an idea of how the new landscape will look. You could draw a few of these tracing papers with a few options; big gazebo?  Small gazebo? No gazebo? Big pond? Small pond?  You get the idea.   If it is for a small piece of land (your backyard) you could just put simple names on the places eg. 'Flower bed under bathroom window' or 'beside left gate' etc. If your area is big and there are many such places then you may need to label them like 'Flower bed A', 'Flower bed A1', 'Tree G23' etc.  Then lay these plans on the map and discuss again with your “committee”.

6.   Discuss and compromise or have a duel and let the winner decides on the final landscape plan for your area. Draw it on a piece of paper, force everybody to sign and burn the rest of the ideas so that if it doesn't come out so nice nobody can say anything. 

7.   Right then, contrary to popular practice, I am advocating (I love saying that word) the choosing of the plants last.  Oh, I am sure you have in mind already plant shape (bushy, thin), colour (red, green), and size (big, small); so now all you have to do is select which plant. There are three ways of doing it:

Now simply substitute that plant's name to the particular location on your design. Examples: Sunflower goes to flower bed A; Allamanda goes to flower bed B; Ixora is this shrub beside the fence; Weeping Willow is the tree beside the house; the nice looking palm like what Mr. Chong-next-door has goes beside the gate etc.

8.   Number 7 is really the last. I just want to suggest that you buy plants from nursery that has climate same as your landscape area. Resist the idea of going to Cameron Highlands if you live in Gua Musang.

 That's a lot of information, but don't let it discourage you. Just remember to be patient. You will become discouraged (and exhausted) if you try to do it all at once. A landscape is truly a work in progress, so give it time to develop. One last thing, remember rules are made to be broken. It's your yard. Have fun doing it and  “Selamat Mencuba!”

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