It will also help you decide what plants to keep and what to eliminate. Next, with a helper, measure the landscape and house. Measure the property lines and all the outside measurements of the house. Locate any plants that you plan to include in the new landscape design by measuring their distance from the house and from one of the side property lines. Then make a drawing of the landscape to scale, eliminating any of the existing plants that you plan to remove.
Graph paper is very helpful in drawing a scale plan.
Just give each square a size designation, like each square equals 5 feet or 10 feet. Choose a measurement that will be large enough to allow you to put the whole landscape on paper. Note the direction the house sits on the property by indicating the direction of north. This plot plan drawing is the beginning of your new landscape design.