design software?

Hello! I am in the process of totally re-landscaping my front yard. I am removing my lawn and existing plants and trees and replacing it with a drought friendly landscape (I am in drought stricken S. California).
I looked into hiring a designer... but found that to be out of my budget. I think I can do it myself anyways... with a little help online :-)
I have used design programs in the past for interior projects. Are there any simple software programs that will help me put together layout to scale ? Thanks!

I do that with Autocad. Not simple, but my fees are reasonable.

Which design programs have you used for interiors?

There are many, many books on designing yards, front gardens with lawns, gravel beds, sunken gardens as well as raised beds with pathways to take you around them, hard landscaping,
Most give info about adding lighting, water, drainage, climbing arches, seating, decking and everything else you could imagine.
Easy instructions on how to measure the area, the slope, / rise, how to calculate the amount of materials you would require from your own measurements so I suggest you go to your book store where you can sit with a cup of coffee, pencil and paper in hand and look for the easy to understand books, big fancy books with nice glossy pictures are fine to look at but, you want one written in layman's terms. I am a sucker for those book stores when I visit USA,
Gardening is very popular now and for that reason alone, your aunt Annie or best friend Jenny is probably writing a gardening book BUT, what you want is a book showing plans, drawing of measurements/layout, how to make pathways, raised beds etc.
They should also tell you how to allow for any ready made in situ structures like tree's, drains, water ,electrical cables, overhead cables etc as you need to allow for their position fitting into your own plans as they cant normally be moved without huge expense.
Know your limits, get professional help IF you need lighting, to save money, dig the trenches yourself BUT get an electrician to connect the cables as outdoor lights are unsafe IF not done properly.
I've Probably missed out a good few things BUT a book for Beginners Landscaping will help you get most of the jobs drawn into your own plan as your plans progress.
You dont need lot's of special drawing tools for this, a few soft lead pencils, drawing paper, I like to take a picture of the house and enlarge it, sit it on white drawing paper and have a margine down the side to add reminder notes to the plan as you go along.
Make sure you keep going outside to look IF the border / bed your drawing is wide enough, long enough or even needs a curve, do you need a straight path, or a winding path through the garden,
It's nice to wander a garden and round a bend for a nice surprise as another bed is hidden from view till you reach well into the area.
Always lay a garden hose or thick rope out in a circle, square or half moon, whatever shape you fancy for garden beds, this allows you to go back inside and look from the windows to see you are happy with shape, size and situ, it's hard work re-digging beds if you fail to place them right.
Always draw where the house windows are, doors, paths, cables, water drains etc.
Look for grave bricks or whatever that will match or co-ordinate with the outside of your home.

Good luck and just make sure you enjoy designing your own garden, you can just make a bit at a time following your own plans. walk around the neighbourhood looking for ideas and plants also.
A garden cant be built in a week so never rush it, gardening is expensive IF you get it wrong so leave the plan alone for a day or so till you get your brain around the part your stuck at.
Most important, remember it's your garden so make it suit your needs, you'l love it even more.
Kindest regards.
WeeNel.

Dear AHorseLover2010: I use an online 3D imaging program for my designs, VIZTERRA. I have found it more user-friendly than Autocad (although I use that too.) It allows you to take a look at your design in 3D, which is very nice. I have attached several pictures of 3D designs I have done over the last year. Also changes are able to be made quickly and easily. It is a monthly subscription for the software, but you can turn it on, and off, and only pay for those months needed. A little different than what most software companies do.

You can read more about it here:
http://musings-of-a-gardendiva.blogspot.com/2014/12/10-reasons-why-lay-off-and-3d-design.html

Here is their website:http://www.structurestudios.com/

Hope that helps, Let me know how your design goes!
GardenDiva2014