# Landscape Architecture Basics

## Site Grading

### Grading Principles
| Principle | Description |
|-----------|-------------|
| Positive drainage | Slope away from buildings |
| Minimum slope | 2% for turf, 1% for paving |
| Maximum slope | 3:1 (33%) for mowed turf |
| Swales | 2% minimum longitudinal |
| Sheet flow | 5% maximum |

### Slopes for Different Uses
| Use | Maximum Slope |
|-----|---------------|
| Mowed lawn | 3:1 (33%) |
| Planted slope | 2:1 (50%) |
| Walkways | 5% (1:20) |
| Accessible routes | 5% running, 2% cross |
| Ramps | 8.33% (1:12) |
| Parking areas | 5% |
| Driveways | 10-15% |

### Cut and Fill
| Consideration | Guideline |
|---------------|-----------|
| Balance | Minimize import/export |
| Existing trees | Avoid grade changes at drip line |
| Foundation | Minimum 8" below slab |
| Utility clearances | Per utility requirements |
| Retaining | Required for slopes > 2:1 |

### Drainage Structures
| Structure | Use |
|-----------|-----|
| Swales | Convey surface water |
| French drains | Subsurface drainage |
| Area drains | Low points |
| Trench drains | Linear collection |
| Catch basins | Stormwater collection |
| Retention ponds | Volume storage |

---

## Hardscape

### Paving Materials
| Material | Application | Cost Level |
|----------|-------------|------------|
| Concrete | Drives, walks, patios | $ |
| Asphalt | Drives, parking | $ |
| Pavers (concrete) | Walks, patios, drives | $$ |
| Pavers (brick) | Walks, patios | $$$ |
| Flagstone | Walks, patios | $$$ |
| Decomposed granite | Paths, informal | $ |
| Permeable pavers | Sustainable option | $$$ |

### Paving Thickness
| Use | Concrete | Asphalt | Pavers |
|-----|----------|---------|--------|
| Pedestrian | 4" | N/A | 2-3/8" |
| Residential drive | 4" | 2" | 3-1/8" |
| Light vehicular | 5" | 3" | 3-1/8" |
| Heavy vehicular | 6"+ | 4"+ | 3-1/8" |

### Base Requirements
| Condition | Aggregate Base |
|-----------|----------------|
| Good soil | 4" minimum |
| Average soil | 6" |
| Poor soil | 8-12" |
| Vehicular | 6-8" minimum |
| Permeable | 6"+ open graded |

### Walkway Dimensions
| Type | Minimum Width |
|------|---------------|
| Private walk | 3' |
| Public walk | 5' |
| Primary path | 6' |
| Two-way traffic | 8' |
| Accessible route | 4' (5' passing) |

### Patio Sizing
| Use | Size Per Person |
|-----|-----------------|
| Standing | 6 SF |
| Seated dining | 20-25 SF |
| Lounge seating | 25-35 SF |
| Cooking/grill area | 100+ SF |

---

## Retaining Walls

### Wall Types
| Type | Max Height | Cost |
|------|------------|------|
| Timber | 4' | $ |
| Concrete block | 3-4' (gravity) | $$ |
| Segmental block | 4-6' | $$ |
| Poured concrete | Unlimited | $$$ |
| Stone (dry stack) | 3' | $$$ |
| Stone (mortared) | 6'+ | $$$$ |

### Design Requirements
| Element | Requirement |
|---------|-------------|
| Drainage | Weep holes, drain behind |
| Footings | Below frost line |
| Reinforcement | Per engineer when >4' |
| Setback | 1:1 slope minimum |
| Batter | 1" per 1' height |

### Surcharge Loads
| Condition | Consideration |
|-----------|---------------|
| Vehicles above | Additional lateral load |
| Buildings above | Foundation loads |
| Slopes above | Soil pressure increase |
| Water table | Hydrostatic pressure |

---

## Planting Design

### Plant Categories
| Category | Examples |
|----------|----------|
| Shade trees | Oak, maple, elm |
| Ornamental trees | Crape myrtle, magnolia |
| Evergreen trees | Pine, holly, live oak |
| Large shrubs | Ligustrum, viburnum |
| Medium shrubs | Azalea, loropetalum |
| Small shrubs | Dwarf varieties |
| Groundcovers | Asiatic jasmine, liriope |
| Ornamental grasses | Muhly, fountain grass |
| Perennials | Seasonal color |
| Annuals | Seasonal bedding |

### Florida Native Plants
| Type | Examples |
|------|----------|
| Canopy trees | Live oak, slash pine, bald cypress |
| Understory | Southern magnolia, red maple |
| Palms | Sabal palm, saw palmetto |
| Shrubs | Simpson stopper, firebush |
| Groundcovers | Fakahatchee grass, beach sunflower |

### Spacing Guidelines
| Plant Type | Spacing |
|------------|---------|
| Large trees | 40-60' O.C. |
| Medium trees | 25-35' O.C. |
| Small trees | 15-25' O.C. |
| Large shrubs | 6-10' O.C. |
| Medium shrubs | 4-6' O.C. |
| Small shrubs | 2-4' O.C. |
| Groundcover | 12-18" O.C. |

### Planting Near Buildings
| Condition | Minimum Distance |
|-----------|------------------|
| Large tree to foundation | 20' |
| Medium tree to foundation | 15' |
| Small tree to foundation | 8' |
| Shrubs to foundation | 3' |
| Trees to overhead lines | Per utility |
| Trees to underground utilities | 10' |

---

## Irrigation

### System Types
| Type | Application |
|------|-------------|
| Pop-up spray | Turf, small areas |
| Rotary heads | Large turf areas |
| Drip/micro | Beds, containers |
| Bubbler | Trees, shrubs |
| Subsurface drip | Premium turf |

### Coverage Rates
| Head Type | Radius | GPM |
|-----------|--------|-----|
| Spray 4" | 15' | 2-4 |
| Rotor | 25-50' | 2-8 |
| Impact | 50-100' | 5-20 |
| Drip | Point | 0.5-2 GPH |

### Design Standards
| Element | Standard |
|---------|----------|
| Head-to-head coverage | Required |
| Matched precipitation | Same zone |
| Separate zones | Turf vs beds |
| Drip separate | Different pressure |
| Controller | Smart/weather-based |

### Water Requirements (Florida)
| Plant Type | Inches/Week |
|------------|-------------|
| Turf (established) | 1" |
| Turf (establishment) | 0.5" daily |
| Shrubs (established) | 0.5" |
| Trees (establishment) | Daily deep |
| Natives (established) | Minimal |

---

## Landscape Lighting

### Lighting Types
| Type | Use |
|------|-----|
| Path lights | Walkways, drives |
| Uplights | Trees, architecture |
| Downlights | Security, task |
| Accent lights | Features, art |
| Well lights | Flush mount, uplighting |
| Bollards | Paths, parking |
| Step lights | Stairs, level changes |

### Light Levels
| Area | Foot-candles |
|------|--------------|
| Paths | 0.5-2 FC |
| Steps | 2-5 FC |
| Entry | 3-5 FC |
| Security | 1-3 FC |
| Feature | 5-20 FC |

### Voltage Systems
| System | Application |
|--------|-------------|
| Line voltage (120V) | Large fixtures, long runs |
| Low voltage (12V) | Most landscape lighting |
| LED | Energy efficient, long life |
| Solar | Remote, minimal use |

### Transformer Sizing
| Calculation | Formula |
|-------------|---------|
| Total wattage | Sum all fixtures |
| Wire loss | Add 10-20% |
| Transformer size | Next size up |
| Max run | Per manufacturer |

---

## Fencing and Screening

### Fence Types
| Type | Height | Privacy |
|------|--------|---------|
| Picket | 3-4' | Low |
| Board on board | 6' | High |
| Shadow box | 6' | Medium |
| Chain link | 4-8' | None |
| Ornamental metal | 4-6' | None |
| Vinyl | 4-6' | Varies |
| Living fence | Varies | Varies |

### Code Requirements
| Location | Typical Height Limit |
|----------|---------------------|
| Front yard | 4' |
| Side/rear | 6' |
| Corner visibility | 3' |
| Pool enclosure | 4' minimum |
| HOA | Per covenants |

### Screening Plants (Florida)
| Plant | Height | Spacing |
|-------|--------|---------|
| Clusia | 15-25' | 3-4' |
| Podocarpus | 15-40' | 3-4' |
| Arborvitae | 15-30' | 3-4' |
| Ligustrum | 10-15' | 3-4' |
| Simpson stopper | 10-20' | 4-5' |
| Wax myrtle | 15-20' | 4-5' |

---

## Outdoor Structures

### Decks
| Element | Standard |
|---------|----------|
| Joist spacing | 16" O.C. typical |
| Beam span | Per joist size |
| Post spacing | Per beam size |
| Railing height | 36" residential |
| Baluster spacing | 4" maximum |
| Step rise | 7-3/4" max |
| Step run | 10" min |

### Pergolas
| Element | Typical Size |
|---------|--------------|
| Post size | 6x6 minimum |
| Beam size | 2x10 or 2x12 |
| Rafter size | 2x8 |
| Post spacing | 8-12' |
| Rafter spacing | 16-24" |

### Gazebos
| Size | Capacity |
|------|----------|
| 10' octagon | 6-8 people |
| 12' octagon | 10-12 people |
| 10' x 14' rectangle | 8-10 people |
| 14' x 18' rectangle | 12-16 people |

---

## Stormwater Management

### Florida Requirements
| Requirement | Standard |
|-------------|----------|
| Retention | First 1" on-site |
| Treatment | Varies by district |
| Rate control | Pre-development peak |
| Floodplain | No net fill |

### BMPs (Best Management Practices)
| Type | Description |
|------|-------------|
| Retention pond | Volume storage |
| Detention pond | Rate control |
| Bioswales | Vegetated channels |
| Rain gardens | Infiltration areas |
| Pervious paving | Infiltration |
| Green roofs | Retention |
| Cisterns | Rainwater harvesting |

### Pervious Surface Credit
| Surface | Infiltration Rate |
|---------|-------------------|
| Concrete (pervious) | 5-8" per hour |
| Pavers (permeable) | 10-20" per hour |
| Gravel | 10-15" per hour |
| Turf pavers | 4-8" per hour |

---

## Site Amenities

### Outdoor Furniture
| Item | Size Range |
|------|------------|
| Bench | 4-8' long |
| Table (4 person) | 36" square |
| Table (6 person) | 36" x 60" |
| Chaise | 28" x 80" |
| Trash receptacle | 32-55 gallon |
| Bike rack | 2' per bike |

### Recreational
| Amenity | Space Required |
|---------|----------------|
| Bocce court | 12' x 60' |
| Horseshoe pit | 6' x 46' |
| Shuffleboard | 6' x 52' |
| Cornhole | 8' x 30' |
| Fire pit area | 12' diameter min |
| Putting green | Custom |

### Pools (See pool-aquatic-design.md)
| Type | Size Range |
|------|------------|
| Spa | 6-8' diameter |
| Plunge pool | 10' x 15' |
| Lap pool | 8' x 40'+ |
| Family pool | 15' x 30' |
| Resort pool | Custom |

---

## Landscape Budgeting

### Cost Ranges (Florida)
| Item | $/SF or Unit |
|------|--------------|
| Sod (installed) | $0.75-1.50/SF |
| Mulch (installed) | $0.50-1.00/SF |
| Annuals (installed) | $3-5/SF |
| Shrubs (installed) | $25-75 each |
| Small trees | $200-500 each |
| Large trees | $500-2,000+ each |
| Palms | $200-5,000+ each |
| Irrigation | $0.50-1.50/SF |
| Landscape lighting | $200-500/fixture |
| Pavers | $12-25/SF |
| Concrete | $8-15/SF |

### Percentage of Project
| Project Type | Landscape % |
|--------------|-------------|
| Residential | 10-15% |
| Commercial | 5-10% |
| Hospitality | 10-20% |
| Municipal | 15-25% |
