The Garden Survey

Question 1

Potential garden hazards

Answer 1

Overhead and underground cables
Existing constructions e.g.walls, steps, especially if in bad repair
Existing trees may be unsafe or have low branches
Steep slopes and sudden drops or holes
Ponds and other watercourses.

Question 2

Potential restrictions that may limit work

Answer 2

Features of the topography of the site e.g. steep slopes
Access to the site
Financial
Time to complete the work
Restrictions posed by boundary contraints.

Question 3

What to include when doing a garden plan

Answer 3

Size and shape of site
Existing features intended to retain e.g. shed, path, manhole covers, plants and trees
Position of house including doors and windows.
Direction of good views
Objects to be screened
Any changes in ground levels.

Question 4

How to do a linear (chain survey)

Answer 4

Run a tape measure in a straight line along the middle of the longest length of the plot and secure in position
Starting at the end of the measure recorded features that are 90 degrees from the measure.
Record the point on the tape and the distance from the tape.
Curved boundaries need to be estimated to some extent.

Question 5

How to maintain accuracy when measuring

Answer 5

Keep tape taught and straight
Tape must not be twisted
Tape should be horizontal and close to the ground where possible
Use canes, pegs or spray to temporarily record points on the ground.

Question 6

Triangulation technique

Answer 6

Write down 2 measurements from fixed points on a rough sketch.
After sketch and measurements draw up on a fresh piece of paper.
Use a pair of compasses.
Draw an arc to represent distance between a and c, then another arc between b and c. Where these points cross is point c.
Curved boundaries are estimated to some extend, but can be made more accurate by creating fixed points using canes or pegs.

Question 7

Suitable scale

Answer 7

Always work in metric and generally mm
1:50 scale = 1m drawn as 20mm
1:100 = 1 m drawn at 10mm.
Plan so North is at top
The larger the number the smaller the scale.
Draw main boundaries with a thicker line and indicate existing features.
Keep this master plan and trace off simpler outline to begin working on design.