Revision as of 16:42, 4 August 2009

Under Construction

Introduction

Choosing The Right Colors

Terraforming - Forming the Terrain

Ponds - Adding in Water Features

Plant Placement - Arranging your Garden

Terrain Painting - Where to put Dirt

Fences - Containing your Garden

Pools - Adding Some Fun

Basic pools are a great addition to a yard. They offer fun and build muscle for your sims. This section is geared toward helping you incorporate a pool without killing space. Some ideas you can try to play around with are...

• Adding in decorative stairs
• Adjusting the depth
• Creating Islands
• Pool in a pond - TS3 only
• Using diagonals and the circular extensions - TS2 only
• Painting the sides of the pool

...Some other things that are neat to experiment with are adding in water lilies and reeds to make it look dirty or worn, or even grand.

Construction - Gazebos, Decks, and Patios

Finishing Touches - Fine details

Finishing touches are what make the house look complete and full. By adding in these tiny changes your landscaping looks much more professional and beautiful every time. In particular, people have a way of neglecting these things the most. They are...

• Putting dirt under plants
• Not rotating plants
• Having leafs cut through walls
• Having all of the same plant
• Filling the lot with one terrain paint
• Blocking windows or doors

...when really they are all extremely easy to fix. The reason why dirt should always be put under plants is because the plant will block light and water from reaching the grass in real life, causing the grass to die. Many novice builders or landscapers make the mistake of just putting down trees in a row. Which this is okay, you have to remember to rotate them so that it looks like different trees, since not all birch tree's grow the same. Having plants cut through walls is self explanatory. It isn't so pretty when there are leaves appearing through sold walls. Another easy thing to fix is using all of the same plant. Having all roses may look pretty, but it isn't something you would see too often. Use trees and other bushes to break repetition. A huge peeve of mine is when lots are covered in total green grass. Perfect lawns are myths. Having dirt outline your house and under your trees as well as fading at the edges of lots adds spectacular detail and realism to any lot. One last thing that should be taken into account is when your plants block windows or doors. In some cases, it is okay. But for the most part, a tree would block a view or a pathway. Always take it into consideration.

Particular Styles - Japanese Gardens or Apocalyptic Debris