How to plan a landscape
Consider the care of the vegetation you plant, as well as its appearance. Develop a budget for landscaping, and be careful to work within your budget. Landscaping a new site, or re-landscaping an established area, can be very expensive if not carefully monitored as work progresses.
On a new property, meet with the architect to discuss his or her options for landscaping. Visit landscape nurseries to gather information on plants, including grasses, which will perform well in your climate and can be maintained within your budget. Visit your local Cooperative Extension office to gather information on plants that do well in your area. Take soil samples from the site and have them analyzed to determine what plants will perform best or what may be added to the soil to help performance. The Extension office can advise you on how to take soil samples. Some garden centers also sell soil testing kits.