The ‘Other’ Considerations When Planning Your Outdoor Space

As you start to plan your outdoor spaces, it is fun to consider the features that you will see. The patios, pools, plantings, and the list goes on. As important it is to think about these features, it is equally important to keep in mind the “other” considerations that are involved in the planning process. How water moves through the property, what areas get sunlight and when, and locations of utilities are all practical things that need to be thought about and planned for accordingly.  

Water 

Drainage and how water moves through your property is one of the first things to take note of when you start your design process. If you are wanting any patios, you want to make sure there is enough elevation change that water can be drained off the patio and away from the house. There may be retaining walls that are needed to help address potential drainage issues. You may even need to consider underground drainage systems to help remove water from areas that don’t have enough slope to direct water correctly. The goal is to make sure as much water is draining away from the house as possible.  

Sunlight 

The location of sunlight throughout the day will affect how you plan your outdoor space. If the space you pick for your patio has a lot of afternoon sunlight, it would be good to consider some sort of shade structure or planting trees to help provide shade in the afternoon. If you have a pool, it is nice to have more sunlight for those tanning ledges or lounge areas on the patio. When you are planning out the plantings around your home, plants will have different light requirements. So, you’ll want to make sure the plant you choose for an area can tolerate the amount of sunlight it will receive.  

Utilities 

On all properties, you’ll have utilities that will need to be worked around. These can include water, gas, electric, and communication lines. These utilities may be underground or overhead. As the outdoor spaces are planned, you’ll want to abide by local regulations they may dictate what can be done or where certain features will need to be located. Along with the utilities themselves, many may have easements that have restrictions on what can be built within those easement boundaries.  If you are unsure of where utilities are located, Missouri One Call can mark the public utilities for you. However, they may not mark the private utilities such as your irrigation system.  

It is easy to get caught up in planning out the fun or aesthetically pleasing features of your outdoor spaces and what you’ll see on a day-to-day basis. But keep in mind, it is imperative to consider the water, sunlight, and utilities as you work on the design for your future projects. If you need assistance with these designs, contacting a trusted landscape company is a great place to start. 

Jacob Porter
Rost Landscaping

Jacob comes from the small town of California, Missouri. With his plant science degree from MU and six years with Rost, he enjoys creating exciting outdoor spaces for his clients. Watching these creations come to life is only one highlight of being a designer for Rost. When he is not designing, he loves spending time with his wife and kids, tournament bass fishing, and doing a little bit of woodworking.

(573) 445-4465 | rostlandscaping.com