Landscape Plans (L Sheets) Cheat Sheet
Your Extended Reference Guide for Navigating Landscape Drawings
1. What L Sheets Include
- Planting Plans (Trees, Shrubs, Groundcover)
- Irrigation Plans
- Landscape Lighting Plans
- Soil Prep and Mulch Specifications
- Landscape Hardscape Layouts (pavers, seat walls, curbing)
- Schedules (Planting, Irrigation, Fixtures)
- Details & General Notes
2. How to Navigate L Sheets
- Begin with the planting plan to identify quantity and type of each plant
- Cross-reference plant tags with the planting schedule for species, size, and spacing
- Review irrigation layout for pipe sizing, valve placement, and zones
- Identify any special finishes or hardscape features in the layout
- Check general notes for soil depth, amendments, and installation procedures
Use highlighters or markup layers to separate planting, irrigation, and hardscape for takeoff
3. Key Symbols & Legends
- Plant Symbols: Circles and dots with abbreviations or tags (T1, S2, GC3)
- Irrigation Symbols: Spray, drip, valves, controllers, lines
- Hardscape Outlines: Dashed or solid patterns showing concrete, DG, pavers
- Lighting Symbols: Bollards, path lights, and accent light markers
- Elevation Marks: For berms, grades, and drainage slopes
4. Tips for Estimators & Contractors
- Group plant counts by type and size for efficient ordering
- Calculate mulch, soil, and amendment volumes by square foot and depth
- Estimate irrigation labor separately for piping, valves, and controls
- Verify ADA compliance and edge treatments for walkable surfaces
- Coordinate trenching with other underground systems
Use the plant schedule to create a purchasing log before estimating labor
5. Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Missing valves and controller wiring in irrigation plans
- Not accounting for tree staking or root barriers
- Forgetting edge restraints for decomposed granite or gravel paths
- Misreading similar symbols for plant types or irrigation heads
- Overlooking soil prep and plant spacing requirements