Question
Hi Marc,
We recently bought a house with a big, rectangular, fenced in back yard.  There is a pool w/ hot tub parallel to the house with lots of decking and brick surface.  There were 16 big trees in the back yard beyond the pool and we took them all down because of the leaves & acorns in the pool and total shade.  The area outside the fenced in yard is all treed, so we have plenty of trees for privacy.  So...here's my problem.  I have no idea what to do with this huge blank grass rectangle.  I watch HGTV and see all of the landscaping ideas, look through landscaping idea books and just get confused.  The local landscaper that we have used in the front of the house wants $1800. for the plan alone.  Where should I start?  We like to entertain, have 2 boys 11 and 14yrs., any ideas?

Answer
$1,800 is a bit on the high side, but it depends on the lot size (you mentioned "big" - if it is measured in acres, then maybe $1,800 isn't too bad).  If you have 16 trees, it IS a big lot.

Regarding design: Start with what you like to do, or hope to do & make a list...entertaining, lawn games, relaxing, pets, lifestyle items (car repair / gardening / horses / sunbathing / swimming, BBQ, etc.), then with a site plan in hand figure out what goes where.  Here is the standard rundown -

1.   Develop a plot plan.
2.   Conduct a site analysis.
3.   Assess family needs and desires.
4.   Locate activity areas.
5.   Design activity areas.
6.   Plant selection and placement.
(Note that plants are the LAST item on the list)

Each activity is going to need certain items (benches, counters, BBQ equipment, outdoor furniture, etc.) that you then arrange, based on how you've layed it out on the site.  I like to clip out images of places I like to inspire me when it comes to arranging a space. Be sure to get family in-put, as they will be using these areas, too.

Slap it down on a plan because with no plan, you'll not like to results...Hodge-podge.  So, if this soulds like too much work, pay the guy $1,800 AFTER you see some of his previous work AND get the plans drawn up.  I never ask people to pay, first.

Here are some helpful links (but it sounds like you already have some good resources) -

http://landscaping.about.com/cs/designexamples1/a/landscapeDesign.htm

http://www.landscapeplanet.com/design-menu.htm

Hope it helps ~Marc