How to Draw a Scaled Base Map of Your Property for Landscape Design

Getting Started

With a rough sketch and accurate measurements, you're ready to create a detailed, scaled map. Do it soon to avoid remeasuring. A drawing board and T-square help but aren't essential—any flat surface (breadboard, large cardboard) and paper large enough for your yard work. Most yards up to ½ acre fit on 18–24 in. graph paper or 17–22 in. vellum.

Use scale 1:4 (1 in. = 4 ft) for small yards, down to 1:20 (1 in. = 20 ft) for ½ acre. Larger second number = smaller drawing. Graph paper/vellum have 4, 8, or 10 light grids per inch (won't reproduce on blueprint). For very large yards, make a small-scale whole-yard map first, then larger-scale detail maps of areas.

An architect's scale (eighths) or engineer's scale (tenths) helps; a ruler works too. Tape paper with masking tape.

Making a Base Drawing

Draw a north arrow (top or side of paper for quick reference—it governs sun patterns and plant decisions). Using a pencil, draw property lines, house, and structures. Measure with scale, compass, or ruler; mark dots, join for lines.

Mark trunk positions of trees/shrubs to keep. Sketch current branch lines with thin solid lines; keep future spread in mind. Use standard symbols for features. Make several photocopies/blueprints for you and contractors; store original safely.

Using Your Base Map

Tape tracing paper over your base plan and go outside. Note sun, wind, views, privacy needs, soil, topography, and other problems/special features. Indicate direction/intensity with arrows. Include adjacent property influences: nearby trees, noise, erosion, drainage.

Back inside, check window views from main rooms and entryways. Add pluses/minuses. Incorporate your long-term likes/dislikes lists. If you've observed a full seasonal cycle, you're ready to design. If not, keep the plan handy to add observations. Only after this analysis can you put landscaping ideas into your yard's climate and context—combine possibilities with realities to enhance the best and change the worst.