More than just planting a few trees and shrubs, landscaping also consists of amenities and an intricate irrigation system. On the surface landscaping can appear to be a very simple topic. HOWEVER! Underneath it’s a pretty complex network of piping and valves. Not to mention the DIVISION of the landscaping zones within your project that will ultimately be handed off and maintained by others once you’re long gone. So let’s dive in and break down our FINAL LAND DEVELOPMENT POST OF THE INTRODUCTION SERIES!

In this post we’ll discuss the four main topics that make up the landscaping. They are:

1. Irrigation
   • POC:
     • Water Meter
     • Controller
     • Electric Meter Pedestal
     • Backflow Preventer
     • Pressure Regulator
     • Master Valve
     • Flow Sensor
2. Planting
3. Amenities
4. Maintenance

“COMMON AREA” LANDSCAPING

But before we dive into the technical aspects, let’s first discuss the DIVISION of these landscaping zones! Within your project site, the landscaping can basically be divided into two separate categories: “PRIVATE HOMEOWNER LANDSCAPING” and “COMMON AREA LANDSCAPING”. Our main focus will be on the common areas. As a developer/builder is wrapping up a community, these common areas will essentially be handed over to either: an HOA (“Homeowners Association”) or to the city or county (via special maintenance districts – i.e. LMD, CFD, CMD, CSA, etc.). Keep in mind, however, that some communities may not have ANY common area landscaping at all, while others may have an HOA-maintained area or a city/county-maintained area. Or Both!

For example, in this aerial photo shown below is a project we had purchased a few years ago that had some common area landscaping. Along the north was an equestrian trail we had installed along with some planting (shown in red). There was also a basin in the south pocket that required some landscaping as well. These areas were part of the HOA. But along the perimeter was even more landscaping (shown in purple) that we had installed that actually got turned over to the county (LMD-maintained).

Now that you have a better grasp on the different landscaping zones within the community, let’s jump back into “WHAT MAKES UP THE LANDSCAPING?”.

1. IRRIGATION

The main purpose for irrigation is pretty apparent, to distribute water throughout the planted areas in order to irrigate all your trees and shrubs! This will include a network of PVC piping, drip tubes, spray emitters, and valves. This is all based upon water calcs done by the Landscape Architect. But our focus will be at the start of the irrigation network. The “POC” (Point of Connection).

“POC”

If you remember back in the Wet Utilities Introduction post, your wet utility sub will install “water services” that stub out at each lot in order to provide water to each house from the mainline. Similarly, they will also install a water service for all the landscape common areas. This becomes your landscaper’s “POC”.

And at the beginning of each irrigation “POC”, you will typically see a cluster of different appurtenances that will need to be installed in order for the water to be monitored and regulated properly.

The cluster usually consists of the following:

(Keep in mind, that this formation may change depending on the area. And the symbols used on construction plans can vary between different Landscape Architects. This plan set used as an example in this post is drawn by SJA.)

i. Water Meter

The water meter allows the water company to monitor how much water is being used. (The meter box is usually installed by your wet utility sub. And depending on the area, either the sub or the water company will install the actual meter.)

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ii. Controller

The controller is basically the brain of the entire system. This controls which zones will turn on/off, for how long, and how often.

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iii. Electric Meter Pedestal

The meter ped provides power to your controller and irrigation system. And similar to the water meter, this pedestal houses an electric meter so the power company can monitor how much power is being used. This is typically installed by your dry utility subcontractor (and shown on your DRY UTILITY plans).

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iv. Backflow Preventer

The backflow preventer ensures that no water, debris, or sediment flows back into the mainline, thus contaminating the same water used by the homeowners.

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v. Pressure Regulator

The pressure regulator will limit excessive inlet water pressure from the mainline. It will maintain a specific range of flow so as not to blow out your pipes or sprinklers.

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vi. Master Valve

The master valve is the main electric valve connected to your controller. This is the main valve that turns the main water supply on and off.

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vii. Flow Sensor

The flow sensor regulates and monitors the flow rates and, as a result, can alert you if there is a broken pipe/sprinkler and any other leaks. This can help prevent overwatering.

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2. PLANTING

Your planting will cover trees, shrubs, and ground cover. Your ground cover can be sod, mulch, or “DG” (decomposed granite). All of this will be dictated by your Landscape Architect, who works very closely with the home builder to design a wonderful look that will best sell the community. HOWEVER, your LSA should ALSO be well versed with all the local code requirements and restrictions as dictated by the local municipalities. Surprisingly, there are a LOT of codes and rules for landscaping that the developer/builder must abide by. So a GOOD LSA will know these things and will work hard to find the balance.

3. AMENITIES

 Amenities can consist of MANY different things! Which includes benches, trash cans, birdhouses, playground equipment, pet waste stations, BBQ’s, fountains, fire pits, overhead wood trellises, etc. And the list can go on and on.

4. MAINTENANCE

The landscaping needs to be maintained and cared for even after it’s installed in order for it to flourish and mature. So you MUST ensure that you contract your subcontractor to maintain the landscaping for however long you need UNTIL it officially gets handed over to the new owner/jurisdiction!

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