Once a decision has been reached to use native plants in landscaping or in a restoration project, there are a number of important factors that should be considered. In order to have a successful project, these factors should be examined during the planning process long before plants are brought onto the site. It is very important to consider carefully the time it will take to implement the project. Working with plants creates specific needs because certain phases of a project can only be done at certain times of the year. Lack of foresight in this area can be disastrous. The first section on Establishing a Realistic Timeframe explains some of the features of native plant projects that require proper timing in order to develop an effective project. It is also helpful, when beginning to plan the project, to have a clear idea of the project goals and objectives. Information on doing so can be found in the section on Determining Project Targets. After setting goals, take the time to understand the planting site thoroughly with the aim of anticipating and addressing possible problems as outlined in the section on Evaluating The site. Finally, good planning will entail carefully deliberated decisions on what native plants will be used and where or how they will be acquired. There are a number of sections following Evaluating The site that can help in completing that phase of the project. While the following sections are mainly intended as a guide for native plant restoration projects, many of the same concepts apply to using native plants in landscaping. Consequently, there is useful information in this guide for anyone who is planning to use native plants.