Product Specifications

Landscape Design Technical Specifications

The decision to install landscape can be a way to significantly enhance the value of an owners’ property. There are many factors to consider with design and layout as the garden that is planted needs to provide color and form throughout the months of spring till fall. Whether it is a simple, easy to take care of maintain type design to attention needed every day, the chore of caring for a garden is a very rewarding past time.

Therefore, our advice is — “learn about landscape and take your time to make a decision”. — We encourage the homeowner to examine as many different layouts and choices as possible. Look through the Wichman social media sites noted on the last page as well as examine “Pins” on Pinterest and” Ideabooks or Projects” on Houzz. Pick up and examine as many of the various landscaping design

booklets or browse through the various product design brochures offered by the paver manufacturers as well as offerings made by the landscape supply houses, to get a sense of what is available in the way of product choices. For your convenience, we have listed embedded sites to view at the end of the bulletin.

Our Residential Landscaping experience is with homeowners, architects and general contractors to create a design-build process that is simple and effective while pleasing to the eye. We offer an extensive array of services such as: landscape design & decoration, fountain & pond installations, outdoor lighting, sod install, soil, sand, gravel & mulch delivery, minor grading & re-sloping services.

First, determine your budget for this project by visiting the various supply houses and local big box stores to establish the type of flora you would like to consider. Then use the use the embedded Wichman worksheet Grid technical sheet.pdf to layout both a plot as well as an elevation plan, if necessary, to develop the design.

Once the grid is developed, Wichman Landscape Construction will develop a 3D design layout of the envisioned project and work with the homeowner to refine shape, size, and features of the landscape. This design layout will develop a plot plan showing the project. It is a great way to define the breath of the scope as well as cost. A lot of work goes into preparing the overview and 3D design drawings are a great way to simplify and alter design features to meet the homeowner’s requirements as well as zero in on an acceptable budget.

Modest budgets will require planting younger and smaller specimens that will fill in empty spaces in between as they grow over time. These spaces can be filled in with colorful annuals in the meantime. Larger budgets will allow for denser plantings and larger trees and shrubs, thus leaving less space to fill in. You should also consider how much maintenance you are willing to devote to your completed landscape so that plants can be selected accordingly.

Consider what types of plants you find most pleasing to your eye. You may prefer ornamental foliage of varying greens, greys and blues. Perhaps you adore the ushering in of spring’s splendor when the blooms of yellow forsythias, beautiful white pear or pink dogwoods and brilliant azaleas color the scene. Consider your color preferences as well. Some adore the rainbow look of an English cottage garden, others prefer various blooms in several shades of a single hue, and still others embrace the current color trends. Think about the overall structure or theme that you envision. For example, an English style garden will feature lines of hedge, typically created with boxwoods or dwarf hollies, filled in with colorful flora. Vertical gardening is very popular, in which flowering vines and ivy climb up trellises and arbors.

Determine any personal needs, such as whether anyone in the home is allergic to any particular flowers or trees. If there is a culinary enthusiast in your family, you may wish to incorporate attractive and aromatic fresh herbs into your garden plan. Perhaps you live near a wooded area and the deer populous is making itself at home in your yard, in which case you may not wish to plant sedum, which is one of their edibles of choice. Heavily scented plants will be an ideal option for deterring these uninvited guests. Conversely, perhaps you would like to attract the beauty of hummingbirds or butterflies to liven the mood. Trumpet vines will welcome hummingbirds and butterflies cannot resist a butterfly bush.

Next, a detailed property assessment will be made. Gardening factors of your property including soil type, sun exposure, drainage, existing plants and structures that may provide shady areas are all considered for the plant selection process. Pittsburgh is in the plant hardiness zones of 5, so make your preliminary choices accordingly.

Once all of the aforementioned points have been determined, Wichman Landscape Construction will combine all the input to develop a design that meets your needs and budget.

ADDITIONAL LANDSCAPING IDEAS

Ponds, Waterfalls & Fountains:

Should the home owner have the space and the budget, Wichman Landscape Construction can offer advice and counsel on installing the desired water decoration. Whether your yard is large or small, there are many options to meet your needs and your budget. A consultation with a Wichman professional will show you all of the many possibilities for transforming your Pittsburgh home’s backyard into a unique, relaxing getaway.

Landscape Lighting

Wichman Landscape offers the homeowner three types of lighting to consider: high voltage 120 v, low voltage 12 v or solar lighting. Each has its feature, function and benefit advantage and Wichman can review all with the home owner. Of three types, high voltage will require a licensed contractor (code requirement) to install. However, all the necessary conduit runs and box opening will be installed by Wichman during construction activities, while the latter two types of lighting products can be installed Wichman.

Benefits of Landscape Lighting

Highlighting your raised gardens and water features will add interest to your property at night, making it more attractive and sophisticated. Accentuate key features of your landscaping or create a beautiful focal point for your outdoor living space. Your property will be more welcoming and enjoyable.

It also makes patios and walkways safer by ensuring that people can see where they are walking. Gently illuminate the pathways through your garden, highlight the edges of a patio or add lighting to steps for safety. A beautiful touch in residential and commercial properties alike, it is a necessity if you want to prevent accidents.

Low Voltage versus Solar

Solar lights are increasingly popular with homeowners because they are easy to install. However, they are not as reliable or consistent as traditional low voltage lights. Solar lights do not offer the same lumen output as low voltage options, and the lights will gradually fade and extinguish as the night wears on.

Solar lights also don’t function well in the winter when sunlight is minimal, and they will eventually need new rechargeable batteries.

When first starting to scope out the project, consider these issues:

Property Lot lines. Your municipality will have copies of your lot survey on file. The survey will not only identify property lines but may provide a scaled template of your lot to help in the
Utilities. Buried utility lines such water, cable, electric and gas may prevent you from constructing portions of the project. Mark the lines, if you know where they are, or call your local utility to have them mark the lines.
Neighbors. Depending on the project scope and the proximity to neighboring properties, let your neighbors know about your project before you begin.
Soil. One of the most important aspects of landscape design will be the type of soil that the project will encounter. Soil type conditions will impact flora designs. Review the soil type with Wichman Landscape Construction.

Planning Your Landscape:

Use the embedded Wichman worksheet Grid technical sheet.pdf to layout both a plot as well as elevation plan to develop the design.

Please fill in the blanks to develop the flora and plot layout design:

Remediation area
Flora Placement
Pool
Fountain
Waterfall
Lighting

Please consider the following:

A. Compliance of site to latest site plan

Does the site plan and layout coincide with current site conditions?
Do the section drawings match the topography of the job-site?
Have site utilities been accounted for?
Are there any recommendations for changes to the site plans to accommodate the added features such as conduit runs?
lighting, water features?

B. Review of reported soil conditions with Wichman Landscape Construction and if necessary a soils engineer

Are on site soils consistent with soil parameters used in the design?
Does the site show indications of multiple types of soils and has this been accounted for?
Is there evidence of landfill areas on site?

C. Review of above-grade water management

Has surface runoff been accounted for in the site design?
Will this site be irrigated?
If storm drains become inoperable where will the water migrate to?
During renovation of land will temporary drainage be an issue?

D. Review of below grade water management

How and where will drain piping be installed?
Is it possible to vent drain pipe to daylight?
Is venting to a storm drainage system an option?
Will outlets be located and protected from blockage or damage?

E. Site Access

Does the site have easy access to earth moving equipment?
Is there a plan to remediate the property to its former condition if the equipment used to install large shrubs damages the surrounding property?
Does the site allow for the transportation of soil either taken from or brought to the site as fill?

F. Recommended Wichman & social media sites to view for further information and ideas.

Download the technical specifications sheet.

Download the grid technical sheet.