Landscaping field guides

Landscaping guides, checklists, and calculators

Turf rates, pavers, irrigation audits, drainage slopes, retaining walls, and site work calculations.

60 field guides10 calculators9 readiness checks7 field toolsJump to landscaping tools

Get the printable landscaping field-card pack (PDF)

Latest Landscaping guides

Field GuideWood and composite deck construction field guideBuild a deck that holds people in the air: the bolted and flashed ledger that keeps it from pulling off the house, footings below frost, framing to the span tables, and a guardrail that meets the height, the load, and the 4-inch sphere.Deck ConstructionDeck LedgerIRC R507 Jun 29, 202621 min read Field GuideTree establishment and aftercare field guide: the first three yearsWater deep and taper off over the first one to three years, stake only if needed and pull it within a season, refresh mulch off the trunk, and read transplant shock before it becomes a dead tree.Tree EstablishmentTree WateringTree Staking Jun 29, 202621 min read Field GuidePergola, gazebo, and shade structure construction field guideA pergola is a sail. Anchor it against wind uplift through footings below frost, sized for overturning, and treat a covered or attached structure as engineered, permitted work.Pergola ConstructionWind UpliftLouvered Pergola Jun 29, 202621 min read Field GuideOutdoor kitchen construction field guide for outdoor-living contractorsBuild the non-combustible cabinet on a proper foundation, run the gas to code and vent the cabinet so a leak cannot pool, use outdoor-rated counters and appliances, and winterize the plumbing.Outdoor KitchenGas SafetyCabinet Ventilation Jun 29, 202621 min read Field GuideOutdoor fire feature field guide: fire pits, fireplaces, clearances, and gasWhat makes a fire pit or outdoor fireplace safe: the clearances that keep fire and sparks off the house and the overhead, and, for gas, the rated burner, the rated media, and the vented enclosure.Fire PitOutdoor FireplaceFire Glass Jun 29, 202621 min read Field GuideLiving wall and green wall systems: a building system, not a planterHow a vertical planted wall actually works: choosing the system, protecting the building from water and roots, automating and backing up the irrigation, designing for the saturated weight and the light, and committing to the maintenance.Living WallGreen WallVertical Garden Jun 29, 202621 min read Field GuideTree transplanting and large-tree moving field guideSize the root ball to the trunk caliper, move the tree dormant without cracking the ball, set the flare at grade, and water it through the years it takes to rebuild roots.Tree TransplantingRoot Ball SizingANSI Z60.1 Jun 28, 202621 min read Field GuideTree risk assessment and hazard trees field guideWhy a tree is only a hazard when there is a target under it, how defect plus target plus consequence becomes a risk rating, the TRAQ levels, and why removal is the last resort.Tree Risk AssessmentISA TRAQHazard Trees Jun 28, 202621 min read Field GuideStormwater detention and retention pond field guide for site crewsBuild and maintain a detention pond that does its one job: hold the storm and let it out slow, so the peak leaving the site is no worse than before the pavement went down.Detention PondRetention PondStormwater Jun 28, 202621 min read Field GuideSmart irrigation and ET water management field guideWater the landscape to its real demand with ET and soil-moisture control on a sound base schedule, the right sensors, and a flow sensor that guards the savings.Smart IrrigationEvapotranspirationWaterSense Jun 28, 202621 min read Field GuideSeasonal color and annual flower rotation field guideThe entrance bed is the most-judged spot on the property. Match the plant to the season and the sun, refresh the soil every rotation, mass the design, and water, feed, and deadhead to keep it peaking.Seasonal ColorAnnual FlowersColor Rotation Jun 28, 202621 min read Field GuideCommercial pressure washing and soft washing field guideMatch the method to the surface: pressure for hard flatwork, soft wash for roofs and siding, the chemistry that kills growth at the root, plant protection, wash-water containment, and the record that holds the contract.Pressure WashingSoft WashingExterior Cleaning Jun 28, 202621 min read Field GuidePlayground equipment and safety surfacing field guideThe surface under the equipment matters more than the equipment. Match the surfacing to the critical fall height, keep the use zone clear, kill the entrapment and entanglement hazards, make it accessible, and get a CPSI audit.Playground SafetyProtective SurfacingCritical Fall Height Jun 28, 202621 min read Field GuidePlant health care (PHC) field guide for trees and shrubsStart at the soil and the roots, get planting depth and mulch right, water deep, fertilize to a soil test, monitor for stress, and treat to need instead of by habit.Plant Health CareSoil CompactionRoot Flare Jun 28, 202621 min read Field GuideNative and pollinator planting design field guideMatch the plants to the ecoregion and the site, kill the existing weeds before you plant, and design season-long bloom with host plants so it reads as intentional, not neglected.Native PlantsPollinator HabitatRight Plant Right Place Jun 28, 202621 min read Field GuideManual material handling and lifting ergonomics field guideEngineer the lift out first, lift close with a neutral spine when you must, team-lift the heavy and awkward, and report the early ache before it becomes a claim.Material HandlingManual LiftingErgonomics Jun 28, 202621 min read Field GuideIrrigation pump station sizing and selection field guideSize the pump to the worst-case zone flow and the total dynamic head, land the operating point on the manufacturer's curve, match the pump to the water source, and protect it from cavitation, dry-running, and debris.Pump SizingTotal Dynamic HeadPump Curve Jun 28, 202621 min read Field GuideCommercial holiday lighting installation field guide: load, GFCI, and the ladderPlan the electrical load so the run does not blow a fuse, protect the outdoor power with GFCI, get up and down off the roof without a fall, and build the job to install, remove, and store year after year.Holiday LightingChristmas Light InstallLine-Voltage Lighting Jun 28, 202621 min read Field GuideHeat illness prevention field guide for outdoor crewsStop heat stress before it turns into heat stroke: water, rest, shade, acclimatize the new people, watch each other, and have a plan for the day someone goes down.Heat Illness PreventionHeat StressAcclimatization Jun 28, 202621 min read Field GuideHardscape drainage field guide for patios, walkways, and retaining wallsMove water off the surface with slope and out from behind and under a patio, walkway, or wall with an open base, wall drainage, and managed downspouts, so the hardscape does not heave, wash, or push a wall over.Hardscape DrainageRetaining Wall DrainageHydrostatic Pressure Jun 28, 202621 min read Field GuideDeer and wildlife damage protection field guide for landscapesIdentify the animal first, exclude the high-value plants with a tall fence and trunk guards, treat the rest with rotated repellents and resistant species, and protect new plantings the day they go in.Deer DamageWildlife ExclusionDeer Fencing Jun 28, 202621 min read Field GuideBoat dock and marina construction field guideWhy the water makes everything harder and the electricity makes it deadly, how to choose fixed or floating, found it on pilings or floats, and permit it.Boat DocksMarina ConstructionElectric Shock Drowning Jun 28, 202621 min read Field GuideAthletic running track and sports surfacing field guideBuild a track that runs flat, sheds the storm, marks to exact lane geometry, and tests out for competition, by getting the base right before any binder goes down.Running TrackTrack SurfacingPolyurethane Track Jun 28, 202621 min read Field GuideXeriscape and drought-tolerant design field guide for landscape crewsMatch the plants and the irrigation to a dry climate, group them by water need, improve the soil, hold the turf to what gets used, and water it deep and seldom once it roots in.XeriscapeDrought TolerantWater-Wise Jun 27, 202621 min read Field GuideWater feature field guide: pond, pondless, and fountain installPick the type that fits the yard and the owner, then build the recirculation loop right: liner or basin, a pump sized to the spillway, filtration that keeps it clear, and a GFCI-protected circuit that keeps it safe.Water FeaturesPondless WaterfallKoi Pond Jun 27, 202621 min read Field GuideTurfgrass selection field guide: cool-season vs warm-season grassLet the climate pick the camp, match the grass to sun, traffic, and water, then seed or sod it in the right season with a blend, not a single cultivar.Turfgrass SelectionCool-Season GrassWarm-Season Grass Jun 27, 202621 min read Field GuideTurf renovation field guide: aeration, overseeding, topdressingFix a thin, compacted, weedy lawn in place: read it, core aerate, overseed into soil contact, topdress thin, feed, and keep it damp until it germinates.Turf RenovationCore AerationOverseeding Jun 27, 202621 min read Field GuideTurf and landscape fertilization and soil testing field guideTest the soil first, read the bag, hold the right nitrogen rate, lean on slow release, fix the pH, calibrate the spreader, and keep the nutrients on the grass instead of in the storm drain.Turf FertilizationSoil TestingLawn Nitrogen Jun 27, 202621 min read Field GuideTree staking and guying field guide for newly planted treesMost trees do not need it. When one does, stake low and loose with wide flexible ties, guy the big stock, let the trunk flex, and pull it all off after one season.Tree StakingTree GuyingANSI A300 Jun 27, 202621 min read Field GuideTree removal and stump grinding field guideWhen a tree has to come down, why removal is the most dangerous work in the trade, how it is felled or taken down in pieces, and how the stump gets ground below grade.Tree RemovalStump GrindingANSI Z133 Jun 27, 202621 min read Field GuideTree cabling and bracing field guide to structural supportSupplemental hardware to reduce the risk of failure on a structurally weak tree worth saving, why the assessment comes before the hardware, and why a cable never fixes a hazard tree.Tree CablingTree BracingANSI A300 Part 3 Jun 27, 202621 min read Field GuideSubsurface drainage field guide: French drains and catch basinsCollect the water grading cannot move and pipe it to an outlet: French drains, catch basins, area and channel drains, slope, dry wells, sump pumps, and the maintenance the owner inherits.French DrainCatch BasinSubsurface Drainage Jun 27, 202621 min read Field GuideSnow and ice management field guide for commercial plowingKeep the lot open and the walks safe through winter: the scope, the trigger and contract, plowing and stacking, de-icing and anti-icing, ice-melt by temperature, and the service record that defends a slip-and-fall claim.Snow and Ice ManagementCommercial PlowingDe-icing Jun 27, 202621 min read Field GuideRetaining wall types and how to choose the right oneGravity, segmental, geogrid-reinforced, cantilever, gabion, and timber walls, how they fail, and the height where the choice stops being yours and goes to an engineer.Retaining WallsWall TypesGravity Wall Jun 27, 202621 min read Field GuideLandscape site grading and earthwork field guide for site crewsShape the ground to the design grades: clear and strip, locate the utilities, balance the cut and fill, compact the fill so it holds, and finish to the elevations everything else gets built on.Site GradingEarthworkCut and Fill Jun 27, 202621 min read Field GuideLandscape and turf IPM field guide: pests, disease, and weedsIdentify before you spray, scout on a schedule, fix the conditions that favor the pest, and treat with the least-risk option that works, by the label, every time.Integrated Pest ManagementTurf DiseaseWeed Control Jun 27, 202621 min read Field GuideLandscape estimating and bidding field guide for contractorsTake off the work item by item, price the labor from production rates you trust, add the overhead and profit the business needs, and write the scope and the exclusions that protect the bid.Landscape EstimatingBiddingTakeoff Jun 27, 202621 min read Field GuideLandscape design principles and plant selection field guideRead the site first, then match every plant to its sun, soil, water, and the space it will fill at mature size, and let the design principles arrange what survives.Landscape DesignPlant SelectionRight Plant Right Place Jun 27, 202621 min read Field GuideIrrigation winterization and spring startup field guideBlow out the water before the freeze, protect the backflow, and bring the system back slowly in spring without breaking anything.WinterizationSprinkler BlowoutBackflow Preventer Jun 27, 202621 min read Field GuideSprinkler system design field guide for irrigation crewsStart at the water supply, group the plants into hydrozones, match precipitation rate on every zone, space heads head-to-head, then size the pipe and the valves to what the supply can actually give you.Sprinkler DesignMatched PrecipitationHead-to-Head Spacing Jun 27, 202621 min read Field GuideCommercial landscape maintenance program field guideRun the property on a calendar, not on complaints: the recurring scope, mowing by the one-third rule, the feed and weed program, the seasonal work, and the record that holds the contract.Landscape MaintenanceCommercial GroundsMowing Jun 27, 202621 min read Field GuideTree and shrub planting and establishment field guideFind the root flare and set it at grade, dig wide not deep, fix circling roots, backfill with native soil, mulch off the trunk, and water through the first season.Tree PlantingRoot FlarePlanting Depth Jun 26, 202621 min read Field GuideTree pruning and maintenance field guide to ANSI A300Cut just outside the branch collar, never flush and never a stub, use the three-cut method on heavy limbs, never top a tree, and keep live-canopy removal near or below 25 percent in a season.Tree PruningANSI A300Branch Collar Jun 26, 202621 min read Field GuideSynthetic and artificial turf installation field guideInstall landscape and commercial artificial turf that lies flat, drains a storm, hides its seams, and stays put, by building the base right before the carpet ever comes off the roll.Artificial TurfSynthetic GrassTurf Base Jun 26, 202621 min read Field GuideSoil preparation and amendment field guide for planting beds and lawnsTest the soil, fix the pH, mix in compost, break the compaction, and get the topsoil deep enough so roots grow down instead of giving up at a buried clay line.Soil PreparationSoil AmendmentSoil Test Jun 26, 202621 min read Field GuideSod installation and turf establishment field guidePrep the soil, set the grade, lay fresh sod tight and staggered, roll it in, and keep it wet for two weeks until it roots.Sod InstallationTurf EstablishmentSoil Prep Jun 26, 202621 min read Field GuideSegmental retaining wall build guide for hardscape crewsHow to build a segmental retaining wall that holds: the base, the batter, the drainage, the geogrid, and the height where you have to call an engineer.Segmental Retaining WallSRWGeogrid Jun 26, 202621 min read Field GuidePaver layout and field border guide for hardscape crewsHow to lay out, border, and estimate a segmental paver field so the joints run true, the cuts fall clean, and the field does not spread or settle.Paver LayoutSegmental PaversHerringbone Jun 26, 202621 min read Field GuidePaver and hardscape installation field guide for patios, walkways, and drivewaysBuild the layers under a segmental paver surface so it does not settle or heave: the excavation, the proven subgrade, the compacted base, the 1 in bedding, the edge restraint, and the joints.Paver InstallationAggregate BaseBedding Sand Jun 26, 202621 min read Field GuideMulch bed installation and weed control field guideSpread mulch 2 to 3 inches deep, keep it off the trunk, prep and edge the bed first, run a pre-emergent program, and stop using fabric under organic mulch.MulchWeed ControlMulch Depth Jun 26, 202621 min read Field GuideLow-voltage landscape lighting field guide: design and installDesign a 12V landscape lighting system, size the transformer, fight voltage drop on the long runs, and wire it so the connections survive the first wet winter.Low-Voltage LightingLandscape LightingVoltage Drop Jun 26, 202621 min read Field GuideIrrigation controller programming and scheduling field guideSet the run time from the precipitation rate, split it into cycle and soak, and ride the seasonal adjust so the root zone gets water without runoff or waste.Irrigation SchedulingController ProgrammingCycle and Soak Jun 26, 202621 min read Field GuideIrrigation audit field guide: uniformity, precipitation rate, schedulingMeasure distribution uniformity and precipitation rate with catch cups, then build the schedule from real numbers instead of a guess.Distribution UniformityPrecipitation RateCatch-Can Audit Jun 26, 202621 min read Field GuideHydroseeding field guide for turf and erosion controlSpray the slurry, match the mulch and BFM rate to the slope, keep it wet until it germinates, and document the rate that the SWPPP and the spec demanded.HydroseedingHydromulchBonded Fiber Matrix Jun 26, 202621 min read Field GuideErosion control and SWPPP field guide for site crewsKeep dirt on the site and out of the storm system: the permit, the SWPPP, the silt fence, the stabilized entrance, the stabilization deadline, and the inspections.Erosion ControlSWPPPSediment Control Jun 26, 202621 min read Field GuideDrip irrigation design and install field guide for landscape crewsPut water at the root with low-flow emitters, size the zone to the supply, and add the filter and regulator that keep it from clogging or blowing apart.Drip IrrigationPressure CompensatingEmitters Jun 26, 202621 min read Field GuideDrainage grading and slope field guide for site crewsGrade a site so every surface sheds water away from the building and off the lot to a legal outlet, with the slopes, swales, and drains that make it hold.Site GradingPositive DrainageFrench Drain Jun 26, 202621 min read Field GuideCommercial fence and gate installation field guideSetting posts that hold, hanging gates that carry their load, and tensioning fabric that does not sag: the layout, the depth, the footing, and the gate hardware that decide whether a commercial fence lasts.Commercial FenceGate InstallationChain-Link Jun 26, 202621 min read Field GuideBioretention and rain garden field guide for stormwater crewsBuild a bioretention cell or rain garden that actually drains: the engineered soil mix, the drawdown, the pretreatment, the underdrain, and the one rule that kills more cells than any other, compaction.BioretentionRain GardenStormwater Jun 26, 202621 min read Field GuideAthletic and sports field construction field guideBuild a field in layers that takes heavy play, drains a storm fast enough to play the same day, and stays safe underfoot, not sod thrown on dirt.Sports Field ConstructionSand-Based FieldSynthetic Turf Jun 26, 202621 min read

Browse every landscaping question, answered

Landscaping calculators

Bulk material calculatorEstimate the cubic yards, cubic feet, bags, and tons of mulch, gravel, topsoil, or sand for a bed or area from length, width, and depth.Deck board calculatorFind the deck boards for a deck: boards = deck area divided by the coverage of one board, plus waste.Drip run time calculatorFind a drip zone's precipitation rate and run time: rate = GPH x 1.604 / area, and run time = target depth divided by the rate.Fence post calculatorFind the posts, sections, and rails for a fence run: sections = length divided by post spacing.Precipitation rate calculatorFind how fast a zone applies water: PR (in/hr) = 96.25 x total gpm / zone area, and the run time to hit a target depth.Paver count calculatorFind how many pavers or bricks an area needs: area divided by the coverage of one unit, plus a waste allowance for cuts and breakage.Runoff calculator (Q=CiA)Estimate peak stormwater runoff from a small site with the rational method: Q = C x i x A, in cubic feet per second.Retaining wall calculatorFind the segmental wall blocks for a wall: face blocks = wall face area divided by the block face area.Slope and grade calculatorTurn rise and run into percent grade, degrees, a run-to-rise ratio, and inches per foot for grading, drainage, and ramps.Sod & seed calculatorFind the sod (square feet and pallets) or grass seed (pounds) to cover an area.

Landscaping readiness checks

Track surfacing readinessA 2 minute check on whether your running track has the flat, sealed base, the right system thickness, and the geometry and certification it needs, before it ponds and fails.Dock & marina readinessA 2 minute check on whether your dock or marina handles electric shock drowning, the water environment, and the permits, before someone is hurt or the build is stopped.Deck construction readinessA 2 minute check on whether your deck has the ledger, footings, span, and guardrail to carry people safely, before a collapse or a fall.Exterior cleaning checkA 2 minute check on whether your pressure and soft washing matches the method to the surface, protects people and plants, and keeps the wash water out of the storm drain.Living wall readinessA 2 minute check on whether your green wall is built as a building system, with the waterproofing, irrigation, structure, light, and maintenance it needs to survive.Fire feature readinessA 2 minute check on whether your fire pit or fireplace holds its clearances, uses rated media, and runs gas to code, before a fire, an explosion, or a code violation.Outdoor kitchen readinessA 2 minute check on whether your outdoor kitchen has the gas, ventilation, and outdoor-rated build to be safe and survive the weather.Pergola readinessA 2 minute check on whether your pergola or shade structure is anchored against wind uplift, footed below frost, and permitted, before it lifts off.Playground readinessA 2 minute check on whether your playground has the surfacing, use zones, and entrapment safety that prevent the injuries, before a fall or an audit finds them.

Compare Landscaping options

Cool-season vs Warm-season turfCool-season turf vs Warm-season turf Drip vs SprayDrip irrigation vs Spray irrigation Hydroseeding vs SodHydroseeding vs Sod SRW vs poured concreteSegmental block SRW wall vs Poured concrete retaining wall Sod vs SeedSod vs Seed Synthetic turf vs grassSynthetic turf vs Natural grass

Landscaping field tools

BoulderRigOffline field app for boulder-wall, water-feature, and natural-stone landscape crews.CascadeWrightOffline field app for water-feature, pond build, and waterscape contracting crews.DeckFrameSizes deck joists, beams, posts, and footings to DCA6 and IRC and exports a code-cited PDF plan.MatchRate Irrigation AuditRuns catch-can DU audits and turns ET, soil, and slope into controller-ready cycle-soak schedules.RunoffRouteField app for residential and light-commercial drainage, grading, and stormwater work.TurfClockOffline app for lawn-care and turf IPM season programs.TurfRateCalculates lawn fertilizer rates, liquid tank mixes, and spreader starting settings offline.