MS Landscape cheat sheet

Scale formula: scale = drawing distance ÷ real distance; a 1:100 plan means 1 mm on paper equals 100 mm (0.1 m) on site.

Slope percentage = (rise ÷ run) × 100. A 2% cross-slope on a 3 m walk drops 60 mm across its width.

Universal access ramp rule (ADA-style): maximum running slope 1:12 (8.33%), maximum cross slope 1:48 (2.08%), landing required every 9.1 m of run and at direction changes.

Outdoor stair riser/tread rule of thumb: riser 100–180 mm with tread 280–400 mm; keep riser + tread between roughly 550 and 700 mm for comfortable gait.

Bubble diagram to schematic: adjacency matrix ranks desired relationships, then zoning separates public, private, and service zones before hardline layout.

Sightline check: eye height 1.5–1.7 m standing; a 1 m high obstruction blocks view beyond it at a ratio of obstruction height ÷ viewer height.

Planting plan symbols: canopy circle diameter should equal mature spread at scale, not nursery size, so spacing conflicts surface at design stage.

Sun angle for shadow studies: shadow length = object height ÷ tan(solar altitude); at 45° altitude shadow equals height.

USDA hardiness zones map average annual extreme minimum temperature in 5.6 °C (10 °F) bands; zone 7 spans −17.8 to −12.2 °C.

AHS heat zones rate average days above 30 °C (1 = under 1 day, 12 = over 210 days); use both cold and heat zone for reliable selection.

Right plant, right place: match mature size, light (full sun ≥6 h direct), soil drainage, pH, and moisture before ornamental criteria.

Soil pH availability: iron and manganese lock up above pH 7.0 (chlorosis risk); phosphorus locks up below pH 5.5 and above 7.5.

Balled-and-burlapped stock: root ball diameter roughly 10–12 times trunk caliper for deciduous trees; planting hole 2–3 times root ball width, same depth.

Tree planting depth: root flare at or slightly above grade; buried flare causes girdling roots and slow decline over 5–10 years.

Hydrozoning groups plants by water demand (high, moderate, low, very low) so irrigation zones match plant needs rather than bed geometry.

Natives vs. cultivars: local ecotypes support more insect herbivores; double-flowered cultivars often produce little nectar or pollen.

Concrete mix by volume for general landscape flatwork: 1 part cement : 2 sand : 3 coarse aggregate; 28-day compressive strength target typically 20–25 MPa.

Concrete slab thickness rules of thumb: 100 mm for pedestrian only, 125–150 mm for light vehicle, 200 mm+ with reinforcement for heavy loads.

Expansion joints every 2.4–3.0 m in flatwork and at every abutting structure; control joints at intervals of 24–30 times slab thickness.

Base aggregate depth: 100–150 mm compacted crushed stone under pedestrian pavers, 200–300 mm under vehicle pavers; compact in 75–100 mm lifts.

Segmental paver bedding sand: 25–40 mm screeded layer, 6–10 mm joints, edge restraint required on all open edges.

Retaining wall drainage: washed stone backfill 300 mm wide plus perforated pipe at footing and filter fabric; hydrostatic pressure is the leading cause of wall failure.

Timber decay: ground-contact rated material required within 150 mm of grade; air gap and capillary break extend service life.

Deck footing depth must extend below local frost line; frost heave lifts shallow footings and racks framing.

Mowing rule (one-third rule): never remove more than one-third of blade height per cut; cool-season turf maintained 50–75 mm, warm-season 25–50 mm.

Turf fertilization: cool-season grasses fertilize mainly in fall; warm-season in late spring through summer; avoid high nitrogen before dormancy.

Pruning timing: prune spring-flowering shrubs right after bloom (they flower on old wood); summer-flowering shrubs prune in late winter or early spring (new wood).

Structural pruning: remove no more than 25% of live canopy in one year; never top trees - flush-cut and topping wounds invite decay.

IPM hierarchy: cultural, mechanical, biological, then chemical controls; monitor with thresholds before treating.

Mulch depth 50–75 mm, kept 50–100 mm away from trunks; deeper mulch or volcano mulching reduces oxygen and promotes stem rot.

Tree risk assessment: evaluate likelihood of failure and consequence of failure; targets include people, structures, and utilities.

Snow and ice: avoid sodium chloride near planting beds; use calcium magnesium acetate or sand where plant and water sensitivity matters.

Precipitation rate (mm/h) = (flow per emitter or head in L/h × number of heads) ÷ area covered in m²; match PR across a zone to avoid wet/dry patterns.

Distribution uniformity below about 70% signals maintenance or design problems; catch-can tests measure DU on site.

Scheduling: plant water use = reference evapotranspiration (ETo) × crop coefficient (Kc); replace a fraction of ETo based on species and season.

Run time (min) = (ETo × Kc × area × interval) ÷ (system flow × efficiency); convert units consistently to litres and millimetres.

Pressure: drip systems typically operate 100–200 kPa; most spray heads are rated near 200–300 kPa; excessive pressure causes misting and runoff.

Zone by hydrozone and by hardware: never mix drip and spray on one valve; matched-precipitation heads simplify scheduling.

Check valve and backflow protection are required where irrigation connects to potable supply; air gap or reduced-pressure device per local code.

Rain sensor or smart controller with soil moisture override saves water; seasonal adjust from 100% in peak summer to 50% or less in shoulder seasons.

Overhead recovery: overhead % = total annual overhead ÷ total annual direct cost; apply it to every estimate or the business loses margin silently.

Bid price = direct costs (labor, materials, equipment, subcontract) + overhead + profit; never bury overhead inside the profit line.

Labor burden (taxes, insurance, benefits) commonly adds 25–45% to base wage; use burdened rate, not hourly wage, in estimates.

Change order discipline: written, priced, and signed before work proceeds; verbal changes are the top source of disputes and lost profit.

Retainage commonly 5–10% withheld until substantial completion; track it as receivable, not as cash available.

Contract essentials: scope, schedule, price and payment terms, change procedure, warranty, insurance and indemnity, termination clause.

Cash flow: bill progress monthly, keep 60–90 days of operating reserve, and match material purchases to payment cycles.

Warranty and aftercare: plants often carry a one-year warranty conditioned on proper watering and maintenance by the owner.