Check with your local municipality for landscaping regulations that may apply in your community.

You may want to create a scaled drawing of existing conditions. Mapping the property in a scaled drawing provides key information as to where rainwater management practices can be implemented. In addition, this will help you identify problem areas in the landscape that need to be solved. Then you can create a drawing that incorporates your chosen designs.

Download graph paper to begin making your scaled drawing
Download drawing instructions and an example

Consider including the following in your drawing (click on each topic in the flowchart below to view that section):

What Do You Know About Your Site flowchartIdentify Existing Vegetation

Note all desirable plants that will remain in your new design such as existing trees, shrubs and perennials. Determine and identify existing native plants to include in your plan. Existing plants are good indicators of soil and light preferences. Identify undesirable plants and invasive species that should be removed from the property.

Continue on to Identify Shade/Sun Patterns

 

Link to Identify Problem Areas section Link to Identify Slope and Drainage section Link to Identify Human Use Areas section Link to Identify Existing Vegetation section Link to Identify Shade/Sun Patterns section Link to Understand Your Soil section Link to Is a Rain Garden Right for Your Site section