What's the first step in planning a landscape facility for a new development?

When people ask me, "What's the first step in planning a landscape facility for a new development?" I always smile and say it’s like getting to know a new friend. You don’t just jump into designing a garden or laying down paths without first understanding who that piece of land really is. So for me, the very first step is a thorough site analysis.

I like to walk the land as if I’m meeting it for the first time. I pay attention to its slopes, its soil texture, the way sunlight hits different corners at different hours, and even the direction of the prevailing wind. Is there a hidden spring underground? Are there old trees that tell stories? I listen to the land’s whispers—its drainage patterns, its microclimates, and its existing vegetation. You might call it a date with the site.

Why is this so crucial? Because every decision I make later—where to place a playground, how to orient a seating area, what plants will thrive—stems from that initial conversation. If I skip this step, I’m just guessing. And guessing leads to costly mistakes, like building a patio where water pools or planting sun-loving flowers in deep shade.

After the site analysis, I map out all the constraints and opportunities. I mark the "no-go zones" for construction, the views I want to preserve, and the windy spots that need shelter. This becomes my blueprint for inspiration. Only then do I sit down with a pencil and start dreaming up the landscape facility.

So remember, before you ever touch a shovel or choose a single hosta, go meet your land. Shake its hand. Ask it questions. That first step—site analysis—is the most creative and honest part of the entire process. It’s where the magic begins, not in our imagination, but in the reality of the earth beneath our feet.