Surveying garden design

For about 7 days this summer my daughter was consistently looking at her phone. While this isn’t out of the ordinary, what she was doing was mind-boggling to me. In preparation for moving into the Honors House at Kansas State University she had downloaded an app that allowed her to visualize what the interior of her dorm room might look like. She would longingly look at the 2” by 4” screen and picture herself there with her roommate succeeding in this wonderful environment that they created through a well-decorated room. Occasionally she would hand me her phone and to get my feedback. It was always pretty much the same. “Looks great!” or “Love the curtains!” “Interesting layout!” Eventually what she realized was that although what she was doing was great fun and certainly entertaining, the real designing part of the project couldn’t be started because we didn’t know the exact dimensions or layout of the room.

The first step in the landscape design process for me is securing a copy of the Plat of Survey. A Plat of Survey is prepared by professional land surveyors. Usually a new Plat of Survey is prepared each time a home is purchased. Many homeowners receive a copy of a Platt of Survey during the home closing. The Plat of Survey includes invaluable information about your home and the lot that it is located on. I highly encourage you to locate your Platt of Survey. If you do not have it, you may want to contact the building department for the Village of Huntley. An examination of your Platt of Survey can give you very meaningful and practical information regarding your property.

The lot information includes the topography, dimensions, and sometimes placement of utility boxes and drainage grates. Easements are also noted on a Plat of Survey. M.U.E. refers to Municipality Utility Easement and P.U.E. refers to Public Utility Easement. Building Set Back lines (sometimes noted as B.S.L.) are also drawn on the survey. The dimensions of the outer walls of your home will be listed on your Plat of Survey. Depending on the type of survey, driveways and sidewalks will also be listed. Perhaps the most important items on your Plat of Survey is the location of your property lines

You may be asking yourself, “Why do I need all of this information if I just want to plant a few bushes?” This is a great question that I will attempt to answer. Let’s say you want to plant a few bushes under your bedroom window. By looking at the Plat of Survey, you should be easily able to see the linear measurement of the planting area. If you then check on the mature width of the shrubs you want to plant, you can figure out how many you would need to fill up the area.

Easements are often misunderstood. All residential properties have easements. These easements are on property that you own. The easements give utilities and municipalities the ability to install and service lines on your property. If you plant flowers, shrubs or trees in these easements, please note that if a utility company needs to gain access to the area they have the right to do so. The utility company is not obligated to pay for the replacement costs.

It is imperative prior to beginning any landscaping project that you know exactly where your property lines are located. Generally, property lines are the bold line around the edge of the Plat of Survey. I encourage you to, after studying your Plat, take it outside and walk around the edge of your property. I don’t mean to seem condescending, but in reality this is something that a lot of us have never done. We may think that we know where property lines are, but in reality where we think they are and where they actually are can be two different things. If utility boxes or drainage grates are listed on your survey, it will help you to identify where your property lines are located.

As basic as it sounds, a cardinal direction diagram will also indicate which way is north in relation to your home. This is helpful in determining the environmental growing condition of your plants. Typically the plants on the east and north sides of your home will receive less sun than the plants on the west and south sides of your home. Please note the direction that the front of your home faces.

As I mentioned, there are a couple different types of surveys. If possible, please secure a Final As Built Plat of Survey. Sometimes homeowners will have a Permit Platt of Survey. I believe that a permit plat of survey is the plat that may be used to secure a building permit. Sometimes though there can be changes and the permit plat of survey may not accurately reflect the dimensions of the building and/or lot.

Please note, there are many companies that prepare surveys and they may all be done in a slightly different manner. The important thing is that you study yours and glean as much information as you can from this very valuable piece of paper.

While Sarah had fun this summer using the app on her phone, she is having much more fun while standing in the actual dorm room. My husband and I are in Kansas now. She is going through sorority rush this week, so we are only able to meet her for an hour or two each evening to work on her room. Last night my husband patiently moved furniture around the room so that she could pick out just the right configuration. Tonight we are hoping to start unpacking clothes. During the day we are thoroughly enjoying helping our older daughter move into and decorate her apartment. Lots of laughs and hugs now. Tears will surely come in a few days.

This is the second column devoted to insight into the landscape design process. The next column will highlight design considerations with regards to highlighting the front of your home.

Kathleen Carr is the owner of The Growing Scene, Inc., a garden center and landscaping company.  She can be reached by calling 815-923-7322 or emailing her at kathleen@thegrowingscene.com  Have a gardening question?  Please contact her.  She will address it in an upcoming column.

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