How to Landscape an Acre

Owning land can be exciting, and an acre presents many opportunities for landscaping ideas. But with anything thing you own, certain responsibilities arise as well as the privileges. An acre can be developed into a lush, private hideaway, or you can leave it more open with broad lawns. Landscaping always comes down to subjective input and what you ultimately want, while working around an existing home and other outbuildings. Check out books, articles and videos on gardens and landscapes to get some good ideas.

Notepad and pens
Landscape design
Large drawing paper and pencils
Measuring tape - 50- or 100-foot
List of plants for your climate zone
Seeds, bulbs, starter plants
Quality soil for plantings
Non-toxic fertilizers and compost
Small tiller
Lawnmower
Yard and garden tools
Watering access and hoses
Optional:
Landscape planning software
Consultation with professional landscaper
Fencing
Trellises
Arbors
Sod
Tree and garden protection (from deer and wildlife)
Bricks, stones, landscape timbers
Outdoor lighting
Tool shed
Fountains, ponds or other water features
Statuary
Firepit
Compost pile
Outdoor furniture
Permits (for major structures to be built)

Instructions

- 1
  Check your zoning laws if you plan to add structures, such as a barn, swimming pool, or outbuildings -- especially if they will have electricity and plumbing. The details of building or pool sizes will be needed to work within your landscape planning. Also survey available materials, get soil samples and check drainage in areas around the property.
- 2
  
  Planting your own vegetables can save money over time.
  
  Sit with your family to talk about what they'd like to see in the landscape. If you have bare land to work from, it's like having a blank artist's palette. You can create whatever you want, within your budget and timeline. Look at garden and landscape images in library books and magazines and online to get ideas for what you want to grow.
- 3
  Walk the property. Note any existing major trees and shrubs you'll be working around. Measure the boundary lines, then measure the home, other buildings, outbuildings and any other structures, walkways, driveways and so forth. List the measurements in your notepad.
- 4
  Transfer the measurements by sketching everything onto your large drawing paper. Try to work with a scale, such as 1 inch equals 10 feet. Add rough sketches of where the major trees and shrubs are.
- 5
  
  Allow for the maturity of trees when thinking through early plans.
  
  Draw in where you will place other major trees. Typically, these are grouped around perimeters of property. The nicest looking landscapes blend several types of evergreen and deciduous trees together, and straight rows are avoided. Allow for the size of the mature trees -- for example, tree leaf cover that will grow to a circumference of 50 feet may need to planted further inside boundaries so as to avoid the risk of neighbors or city personnel cutting off branches that overlap someone else's property.
- 6
  Study the acre to determine where you can put a vegetable garden, herb garden or any specialty garden. Rock gardens look good on sloped areas where not much else will grow, and a secret meditation garden can be tucked into a denser area of trees. Note also where bamboo can spread out if you like bamboo or where a small fish pond or water fountain can fit. Choose what you want near the home for beauty and convenience, then place combinations of trees and shrubs in outer areas.
- 7
  Choose a few focus trees such as ornamental flowering cherries or Japanese maples, and sketch them in where you can appreciate them year-round. This is especially important if you choose to plant mostly lawn with only a few other touches. Plan to place trees to block unwanted views or to frame desirable views.
- 8
  
  Asian-style gardens often use water features.
  
  Add a small orchard or grapevine area if you want to plant fruit. An acre will let you plant at least half a dozen fruit trees if you live in suitable zones. And you'll have plenty of room for blueberry bushes, vines and cane berries, too. This is all determined by your original choices of what you want to grow and the time you are willing to spend on maintenance and harvesting.
- 9
  Design a final landscape plan by using software, your sketching pads, or by working with a professional landscape architect or designer. The landscape should ideally reflect the style of the home and will blend beautifully with existing natural features. The more time you take to get to know your land, how the sun moves, and what grows easily in your vicinity -- the more pleased you will be with your ultimate design.
- 10
  Plant, build, lay in paths, watering systems and so forth once you have completed a wholly satisfying and sensible landscape design. You can either do all the work yourself over a long period of time, or have friends and family pitch in to help. Alternatively, you can hire a professional landscaping crew to help get the big work done (such as foundational plants, automatic watering systems, pools, etc.) then focus on the details as you're able.

Sprinkler Irrigation Idea

Property Line Location Methods for Land Clearing Contractors

Overall Landscape Planning