How to Landscape Concrete Steps

Landscape concrete refers to the hard scape features in a yard that are created out of concrete. Concrete steps are common landscape features in sloped yards leading from one garden space to another. Some steps are steep and require hand rails, while others are one or two wide treads. When moving from one level of a yard to another, it is important to identify the change in surface so that guests in the yard have a clear indication of the transition. One way to highlight the location of garden steps and to add to the safety of the yard is by integrating the concrete steps into the overall landscaping design.

Tape measure 1/4-inch graph paper Tape Tracing paper Pencil Straight edge Ruler Circle template

Instructions

- 1
  Purchase a large sheet of 1/4-inch graph paper. These sheets are usually available where engineering and drafting papers are sold. Tape the paper down to a smooth table. Measure your property and transfer the measurements to the paper. Plot your property lines, your house perimeter, garage, driveways, sidewalks, decks, patios, fountains and any other hard scape feature. Hard scape refers to objects that are permanent to the landscape, such as concrete items.
- 2
  Mark north on your plan and then use a circle template to locate your trees, shrubs and plantings. This will help you understand the architecture of your existing landscape as well as the direction and amount of sunlight for the selection of appropriate planting materials.
- 3
  Identify the location of the concrete steps in the landscape or those you intend to install. Because steps indicate a change in elevation, it is often a good idea to clearly identify this change to prevent people from accidentally falling down the steps if they don't know they are present.
- 4
  Place tracing paper over the graph paper and tape it down. Sketch in possible garden borders, plantings, lights, railings or other features you can design to integrate the steps into the landscape design. Think about adding features like a trellis or pillars to suggest a gate as possible hard scape features that will clearly identify the steps.
- 5
  Draw in taller shrubs in lieu of pillars and a bordering hedge if you decide to indicate the beginning of a slope. This type of hedge will direct guests toward using the steps. Consider planting bright flowers around and near the step area to further focus attention on their location. Solar lights are also a good idea for lighting the steps at night.
- 6
  Take your plans to your gardening center to select plants that grow well in your area, have the size and shape you need and have the correct growth habit for the location you have in mind. Gardening designers at the center are often happy to assist you in refining your design so that you achieve the best results.

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