Landscape Design is about planning and creating attractive, functional outdoor spaces using plants, hardscape elements, and natural features. In this project, you can learn how to evaluate a site, understand sunlight and soil conditions, and apply design principles such as balance, scale, unity, and color to develop thoughtful landscape plans. Design a small backyard garden, a pollinator habitat, or a community green space and explore how landscapes can improve both the environment and people’s quality of life.
Exploring 4-H Floriculture - Landscape Design
Spark Activity: Design Your Dream Garden Space
Try this quick landscape design challenge using paper and a pencil!
What You’ll Need:
- Paper
- Pencil
- Colored pencils or markers (optional)
- A small outdoor space to observe (yard, park, school grounds)
What To Do:
- Observe the space, noticing where the sun hits, where shade falls, and how water might drain.
- Sketch a simple outline of the space from a bird’s-eye view.
- Add plant areas and decide where trees, shrubs, flowers, or grasses might go based on sunlight and size.
- Include purpose, adding features like seating, pathways, or pollinator plants.
- Color and label your design, identifying at least three plants you would include and explaining why.
Reflect:
- How did sunlight influence your plant choices?
- What purpose does your space serve (relaxation, habitat, food, beauty)?
- What would be the biggest challenge in making your design a reality?
4-H Project Levels and Goals
- Learn basic landscape design principles
- Identify common Illinois landscape plants
- Create a simple garden sketch
- Understand sunlight and plant spacing
- Design a themed garden (pollinator, native, vegetable, etc.)
- Consider sustainability practices (mulch, water conservation)
- Create a scaled drawing with plant labels
- Compare plant growth habits and mature sizes
- Develop a detailed landscape plan with a plant list and spacing
- Incorporate environmental solutions (rain gardens, erosion control)
- Present and explain design decisions
- Explore landscape budgeting and installation planning
Put Your Project Into Action
Show Your Skills
- Create a scaled landscape design drawing
- Develop a planting plan with a plant list and descriptions
- Design a pollinator or native habitat garden
- Present before-and-after redesign concepts
Service and Leadership
- Design a garden space for a community organization
- Help plan landscaping at a local park or school
- Create educational signage for a garden area
- Lead a workshop on native plant landscaping
- Assist in redesigning an existing community garden
- Help create a plan for greater accessibility to a popular outdoor space
Entrepreneurship
- Offer garden design planning services
- Start as an apprentice with a small landscaping or garden maintenance business
- Sell garden layout plans or planting guides
- Assist with seasonal planting services
Technology Connection
- Use landscape design software or digital drawing tools
- Research plant databases for Illinois climates
- Create digital presentations of design plans
- Explore drone or mapping technology in land planning
Connecting with a Mentor
- Landscape architect
- Landscaping business owner
- Nursery or garden center professional
- Extension educator
- Master Gardener volunteer
- Grounds manager
Project Manuals & Exhibit Requirements
The Floriculture project area is in the process of undergoing an update to better reflect the skills required to be a successful floriculturist. The 4-H Project Booklets available through Shop 4-H will continue to be acceptable resources to guide your learning.
You will also be able to access our Project Resource Preview, which will describe how you can find and share your own Floriculture educational resources (provided they are from reputable sources.) 4-H Floriculture - Landscape Design Project Preview
Purchase manuals on the Shop Illinois 4-H Store.
View exhibit requirements and scoresheets on the Illinois State Fair page.
Careers
- Landscape Architect
- Landscape Designer
- Urban Planner
- Nursery Manager
- Grounds Supervisor
- Environmental Consultant
- Horticulture Educator
- 4-H Educator
Start a Conversation
- How did you choose plants for your design?
- What environmental factors influenced your layout?
- How does your design improve the space?
- What skills did you use that could apply to a future career?
Credits
Illinois 4-H Project Guide
University of Illinois Extension staff who contributed to this resource include Kathy Book and Mark Becker.
