Foundations of Landscape Design: Plan and Create Outdoor Spaces

Creating a beautiful, functional outdoor space requires more than just picking out plants; it demands an understanding of spatial design, soil health, and environmental harmony. This course introduces you to the core principles of landscape design, helping you turn any outdoor area into a structured, thriving ecosystem. You will transition from looking at empty yards to reading and planning professional garden layouts. By studying spatial organization, plant selection, and modern sustainable practices, you will gain the confidence to plan functional outdoor living areas. What you'll learn: 1. Learn the foundational terminology and design principles of landscape architecture, including scale, balance, and focal points. 2. Understand how to analyze site conditions, including soil quality, sunlight exposure, and drainage patterns. 3. Master the art of plant selection, combining native species, perennials, and hardscaping elements for year-round interest. 4. Apply modern sustainable gardening techniques, such as xeriscaping, rainwater harvesting, and eco-friendly soil management. 5. Design functional spatial layouts using written step-by-step guides for zoning, pathways, and seating areas. The curriculum starts with essential terminology and design theory before moving into practical site analysis and plant science. You will then explore step-by-step planning techniques and sustainable practices through written exercises. This course is designed entirely for beginners, homeowners, and aspiring garden designers with no prior experience in horticulture or design. Start reading today to begin planning your first outdoor transformation project.