A GUIDE TO YOUR FIRST LANDSCAPING AND HORTICULTURE DESIGN

Landscaping is the art and science of developing the outdoor environment using soft landscaping, e.g., ornamental plants, and hardscapes e.g., non-plant objects, components to serve the needs and desires of people. It serves both the aesthetic and functional purposes. The outdoor surroundings could be designed with natural or manmade components /materials /objects. It could be natural or artificial. Landscaping involves design, construction, and maintenance of landscapes.

Landscape and Horticulture design

Science and art of organizing and enriching outdoor space through the placement of plants and structures in agreeable and useful relationship with natural environment. It involves the qualitative and functional arrangement and spacing of plants and non-plants garden features on a parcel of land set aside in the planning process that gives an overall pleasing effect.

Design essentially entails the way objects are artificially arranged to attain a particular objective, usually may be not always, a functional and a visibly pleasing arrangement. Landscape design is more than just a cosmetic treatment to be applied to indifferent or insensitive architectural or engineering to soften the harsh edges or disguise an awkward layout. It is to integrate structures into the environment by reducing the visual intrusiveness, by repairing damage to the existing vegetation and more positively by providing a setting that is attractive and welcoming.

Reasons for Landscaping and Horticulture

Basically, if human beings had never altered the natural world, there would be no need for designers. Nature is such a perfect designer that left unchanged by human beings, the earth’s beauty and natural system would never have required improvement. This idea is however not realistic in the modern world.

Therefore, some of the reasons why landscaping is important are.

Aesthetic/ Beautification of environment which is the primary purpose of landscaping
Engineering purpose: e.g., protection of structures against environmental hazards i.e. rainstorms etc.
Architectural purpose: e.g., re-integration of structures into the natural environment
Biological purpose: e.g., improves the micro-climate (environment), absorbs dust, noise pollutants and assist in air purification.
Ecological purpose: e.g., some ornamental plants can be used to solve ecological problems such as flooding, to control erosion and absorb chemical from soil (oil spillage)
Economic purpose: e.g., creation of job opportunities, add value to property, creates wealth for plant growers and government (taxes, foreign exchange), beautiful environment also attract tourists and investors.
Social purpose: e.g., landscaped areas are useful as recreation and relaxation venues (parks), sporting arenas (polo, football fields), and symbols of affluence/wealth.
Nutritional/Medicinal purpose: e.g., some plants used primarily for landscaping could also be used for food (fruits and vegetables) and medicines, plants have therapeutic effect on patient etc.
Environmental control in prevention of hazards such as wind breaks, shade trees for guide against sun glares, etc.
Urban forestry in the integration of forest resources into urban areas by town planners

Types of Landscaping Designs

Now that you’ve figured out why you want your yard landscaped, you can now focus on picking out a style for the workers to implement. There are all kinds of styles for you to choose from, and your only limits are your imagination. For those struggling to come up with ideas, included below are some styles worth checking out.

Private property/residential landscaping

Landscaping of personal residential properties like a flat, bungalow, duplex, estate etc. Usually, plants of different good qualities are used as much as possible for the enjoyment of owner(s). It is important to landscape to the taste of the clients even if expensive materials will be used.

Industrial landscaping

It involves the establishment of plants and hardscapes within the industrial estate/area e.g., Agbara industrial estate, Nigeria Breweries Ltd, Portland/Lafarge cement company, etc. Most areas are planted to grasses, trees, and hedges along the walkways. It is not necessary to use exotic or expensive items compared to private property landscapes. When landscaping for factories/industrial centers, study kind of activities in each section e.g., manufacturing area with many peoples, vehicles and materials-grassing the whole area dotted with spot planting will be appropriate. Near administrative block, use beautiful materials because it is the focus and should be at its best. Inside the offices, indoor plants may be introduced as well.

Institutional landscaping

Landscaping that involves all sorts of institutions-universities, colleges, polytechnics, hospitals, research institutes, barracks etc. Usually, it is meant for all categories of users, i.e., people of all age category- children, adolescents, adults, women, men, students, lecturers, non-academic staff, scientist etc. Institutional landscaping must be different from others because it is not only for recreation, picnic but also for instructional purpose (educational).

Recreational landscaping

It involves landscaping recreational arenas (polo ground, parks and gardens, football pitches, game villages etc.) for adults and children. It has special inclusions such as restaurant, water fountains, focal plants, green lawns, and other areas for social like picnic, marriages, honeymoon, film shooting.

Types of Horticulture Design

Olericulture the production of vegetables.
Pomology, also called fruticulture: the production of fruits and nuts.
Viticulture: the production of grapes (largely intended for winemaking).
Floriculture: the production of flowering and ornamental plants.
Turf management: the production and maintenance of turf grass for sports, leisure, and amenity use.
Arboriculture: the cultivation and care of individual trees, shrubs, vines, and other perennial woody plants, primarily for landscape and amenity purposes.

Work with Professionals

Green Safety Limited are professionals that work with you to achieve beautiful and bespoke designs that leaves your environment relaxing and astatically pleasing to everyone that encounters it.

Investing in quality and professional landscaping is certainly preferable to hiring cheap workers who may do a shoddy job. Aside from wasting your money, those workers may also do damage to your property that may be more expensive to repair.

At Green Safety Limited we use modern technology to give you the best experience from inspection to design implementation and maintenance to meet your desired Horticulture and landscape Needs. Bringing Your Dream to Reality.