CA Landscape cheat sheet

Scale notation 1" = 10' means one measured inch on the sheet equals 10 feet on the ground; multiply plan inches by the scale factor to get field feet.

Contour lines connect points of equal elevation; the contour interval is the vertical distance between adjacent lines and appears in the legend.

Closely spaced contours indicate steep terrain; widely spaced contours indicate gentle slopes; concentric closed contours indicate a high or low point.

Percent slope = (rise ÷ run) × 100, so a 1-foot drop over a 20-foot run is 5%.

Existing contours are commonly dashed and proposed contours solid or labeled; comparing them reveals cut, fill, and grade change intent.

Spot elevations are point elevations given to hundredths of a foot and take precedence over values interpolated between contours.

A benchmark is a known elevation datum cited on the plan; every spot elevation and invert is referenced to it.

Detail callouts cite sheet and detail number (e.g., 3/S-501); section markers show the cut line and viewing direction.

Check the title block and revision cloud before pricing or layout - dated revisions supersede earlier sheets.

Cubic yards = (length ft × width ft × depth ft) ÷ 27.

A 4-inch slab uses about 0.0123 cubic yards of concrete per square foot (0.333 ft ÷ 27).

Approximate weights: aggregate 1.4 tons/CY, sand 1.35 tons/CY, topsoil 1.1–1.3 tons/CY; confirm with the supplier.

Plant count at square spacing = area ÷ spacing²; at triangular (staggered) spacing = area ÷ (spacing² × 0.866).

Waste factors: 5–10% for pavers, pipe, and edging; 10–15% for sod, seed, and plants to cover cuts and losses.

One cubic yard of mulch covers about 324 sq ft at 1 inch, 162 sq ft at 2 inches, and 108 sq ft at 3 inches.

Bid structure = direct job costs + overhead + profit + contingency; unit prices govern added or deleted work.

Labor cost = quantity ÷ productivity rate (units per crew-hour) × crew-hour cost, including burden.

Sod pallet coverage varies by cut and supplier (roughly 400–500 sq ft); verify before ordering.

Ribbon test: a ribbon under 1 inch indicates sandy loam, 1–2 inches loam to clay loam, over 2 inches clay.

Bulk density above roughly 1.6 g/cm³ in loam restricts root penetration; construction traffic is the usual cause.

Most landscape plants perform at pH 6.0–7.0; lime raises pH, elemental sulfur lowers it, and both require a soil test.

Collect a composite sample of 10–15 cores at 6–8 inch depth from across the planting area, mixed in one bag.

Provide a minimum 2% surface slope (about 1/4 inch per foot) away from structures; drainage swales are commonly 3–5%.

A French drain uses washed aggregate, filter fabric, and perforated pipe at about 1% slope to daylight or a sump.

Soil horizons: O organic, A topsoil, B subsoil, C parent material, R bedrock.

Infiltration (percolation) rate in inches per hour determines whether a site can absorb stormwater or needs storage/amended soils.

Cut-and-fill balance: size grading so on-site cut approximates fill, reducing haul-off and import costs.

USDA hardiness zones are set by average annual minimum temperature; zone 7 spans roughly 0 to 10°F.

Light definitions: full sun = 6 or more hours of direct sun; part shade = 3–6 hours or filtered light; shade = under 3 hours.

Space plants by mature spread; for massing, set centers at roughly one-half to two-thirds of mature width.

Hydrozoning places plants of similar water need on the same irrigation valve so schedules can be matched.

Nomenclature: Genus species 'Cultivar' - genus and species italicized, cultivar in single quotes, not italicized.

Right plant, right place: match mature size, light, soil moisture, and root space to the site before choosing species.

Avoid regionally listed invasive species; native and regionally adapted plants generally reduce water, fertilizer, and pesticide inputs.

Design principles: unity, balance, scale/proportion, rhythm, and one dominant focal point per view.

In wildfire-prone areas, maintain a noncombustible zone roughly 0–5 feet from structures (defensible space).

Sprinkler precipitation rate (in/hr) = (96.3 × GPM per sprinkler) ÷ (head spacing ft × row spacing ft).

Space sprinklers at 50–60% of published throw diameter (head-to-head or slightly less) to achieve uniform coverage.

All heads on one zone should have matched precipitation rates so the zone applies water evenly.

Keep flow velocity below about 5 ft/second in laterals to limit friction loss, noise, and water hammer.

Static pressure is measured with no flow; dynamic (operating) pressure is lower and is what the nozzles actually receive.

Backflow protection is code-required: an RPZ, PVB, or dual check. A PVB must be installed above the highest downstream head.

Drip emitters are rated 0.5–2.0 GPH; typical spacing is 12–18 inches, closer in sandy soil and wider in clay.

Cycle-and-soak scheduling runs short repeated cycles so water infiltrates instead of running off clay or sloped sites.

Winterizing blowouts should keep air pressure at the compressor near 50 psi or lower to avoid damaging heads, valves, and pipe.

Compact aggregate base in 2–4 inch lifts to about 95% density; use 4 inches under walks and patios and 6–8 inches under driveways.

Slope pavers and flatwork 1–2% away from buildings; never direct surface flow toward a structure.

Concrete thickness: 4 inches for walks, 5–6 inches reinforced for driveways; control joints every 8–12 feet.

Setting beds: about 1 inch of sand for modular pavers; about 1/2–1 inch of mortar for mortared units.

Retaining walls: batter roughly 1 inch per foot of height, embed at least 6 inches plus 1 inch per foot of height, and backfill with drainage gravel and filter fabric.

Walls above about 4 feet, or any wall carrying surcharge, generally require engineered design and a permit.

Step geometry: risers 6–7 inches, treads 12–14 inches; verify with 2R + T = 24–27 inches.

Call 811 (the local one-call center) before any excavation and wait the required notice period.

Geotextile between base and subgrade prevents fines from migrating up into the aggregate layer.

Dig the planting hole 2–3 times the root ball width but no deeper than the ball; set the root flare at or slightly above grade.

Remove burlap, twine, and wire baskets from the root ball, and cut or straighten circling roots.

Backfill with native soil; heavy amendment of the backfill can discourage roots from growing out of the ball.

Irrigate new trees with roughly 10 gallons per inch of trunk caliper per week during the first growing season.

Apply mulch 2–4 inches deep over the root zone, pulled back 2–3 inches from the trunk.

Stake only when the root ball is unstable; use flexible ties with slack and remove them within 1–2 years.

Establishment period is roughly one year per inch of caliper; keep irrigation going through that window.

Plant bare-root stock while dormant; container and B&B stock can go in whenever soil is workable.

Install sod within 24–48 hours of delivery and keep it moist until it knits to the soil.

One-third rule: never remove more than one-third of the blade height in a single mowing.

Mowing heights: cool-season turf 2.5–3.5 inches; warm-season grasses roughly 1–2 inches depending on species.

Three-cut pruning removes the weight first, then the stub, preserving the branch collar; avoid flush cuts.

Core aerification relieves compaction; dethatching removes thatch once it exceeds about 1/2 inch.

Fertilizer N-P-K rates follow a soil test; split applications and never exceed label rates.

Rejuvenation pruning cuts old stems to the ground to force vigorous new growth on overgrown shrubs.

Maintain mulch at 2–3 inches total depth; deeper piles can suffocate roots and harbor rodents.

Sharp mower blades and pruners make clean cuts that close faster and reduce entry points for disease.

IPM sequence: cultural, mechanical/physical, biological, and chemical controls last.

Action threshold: treat only when pest numbers or damage exceed the level that justifies treatment cost and risk.

Preemergence herbicides must be applied before weed seed germination; crabgrass germinates near 55°F soil temperature.

Rotate herbicide mode-of-action groups to slow resistance, and never exceed labeled rates.

Disease triangle: susceptible host + virulent pathogen + favorable environment; breaking one leg prevents the disease.

Protectant fungicides coat tissue before infection; systemic products move within the plant and are used preventively or early.

Rule out abiotic causes (drought, salt, mower injury, poor drainage) before applying any pesticide.

The label is a legal document: follow directions, observe the restricted-entry interval, and use listed PPE.

Baseline PPE: eye protection, hearing protection, head protection, sturdy boots, and gloves as the task requires.

Hearing protection is required at 85 dBA time-weighted average; chainsaws and backpack blowers commonly exceed 100 dBA.

Trench protective systems (shoring, shielding, sloping) are required at 5 feet depth; provide a ladder within 25 feet of workers at 4 feet.

Ladder rule: 4:1 slope, extend 3 feet above the landing, and maintain three points of contact.

Call 811 before digging and keep equipment at least 10 feet from energized power lines unless the utility de-energizes them.

Cut concrete and masonry wet or with water-fed tools plus a respirator to control respirable silica dust.

Safety Data Sheets must be accessible for every hazardous chemical on site; HAZCOM training precedes handling.

Heat illness prevention: water, rest, shade; acclimatize new workers and watch for confusion, cramps, and collapse.