# Suggestions for landscape design software?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-landscape-design-software/946360>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [July 13, 2021, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-landscape-design-software/946360 "2021-07-13T01:21:05Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2021, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-landscape-design-software/946360/1 "2021-07-13T01:21:05Z")

</div>

I have roughly one-third of an acre that I need to landscape. I’m looking for recommendations for software that would help me work on the plans. Does anyone have any suggestions?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2021, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-landscape-design-software/946360/2 "2021-07-13T14:57:03Z")

</div>

I’m interested in this too.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2021, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-landscape-design-software/946360/3 "2021-07-13T15:14:21Z")

</div>

My friend who’s a garden designer uses [sketchup](https://www.sketchup.com/) - the basic version is free, and you can get plug ins for 3D objects like plants.

I’ve played around with it and it isn’t too complicated once you get your head into it.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2021, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-landscape-design-software/946360/4 "2021-07-13T17:36:51Z")

</div>

I will check into that, thank you. It looks like it has options that might work. I admit that I’m afraid it might be too advanced, but I notice there’s a school version that might have a shorter learning curve.

Ideally, I’d like something that held my hand a bit, in terms of allowing types of plants to be inserted, with heights, flowering info, and so on, so I could see what things would look like from different perspectives at different times of year. I don’t know if that exists.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2021, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-landscape-design-software/946360/5 "2021-07-13T19:44:00Z")

</div>

Another place to get user opinions about landscape design software is GardenWeb, where the question has been asked numerous times and you can find threads on the subject or start another.

> **[Landscape Design Forum | Houzz](https://www.houzz.com/discussions/landscape-design)**
>
> Explore all types of landscape design subjects like irrigation systems, garden design apps, plant types and hardscaping materials.

I have never used anything more sophisticated than graph paper and pencil.