How To Design A Garden

Gardening can be one of the most rewarding activities you will ever do. It can also be the most time consuming. It doesn't matter if your garden is big or small, or if you plant it raised beds or in plant pots - you have to start with a garden design.

Before designing your garden, you should have an idea of what you want to plant and how big your garden is going to be. When you decide to plant, it is also important to take into consideration the topography of your garden. Some issues with the topography may have to be dealt with first before you can start planting, especially if you will be gardening in a space that isn't leveled.

When designing a garden, this article will cover the factors that you need to consider.

Size

Several factors determine the size of your garden. These factors include the following: the existing area of your lot, the time you can devote to your garden, and your budget.

Your gardening time is another criterion you have to consider when evaluating the garden size that best suits your home. Keep a smaller garden if you do not have much time to spare. Remember that the bigger your garden is, the more time you will have to spend taking care of it, and the more it usually costs.

Topography

Most houses in suburban and urban areas usually have a flat yard ideal for laying out planting beds. In some cases, however, gardeners would find themselves with a hilly or a sloping topography.

For sloping areas, you can work with them as you would a flat surface. Just ensure that the depressions and bumps are addressed accordingly. When it comes to irrigation, sloping areas also require special considerations. Always water from the top of the slope and make sure that any accumulated water at the bottom drains properly.

Container Beds Versus Rows

Now, people always ask me why I often have raised beds or containers in mind when talking about planning a garden. "My father taught me how to plant in rows on the soil, it's how we've always done it!" they'd say.

Just because that's what's been done for hundreds of years, it doesn't mean it's the most efficient way. More and more people, urban and especially suburban gardeners, have been reaping the benefits of raised bed gardening. Let me list them for you:

Creating The Plot Plan

The easiest way to draw out a plot is with the use of a graph paper. You can easily find graph papers in local school and office supply stores. Some nurseries also carry them. These papers already have grid lines on them that will save you from drawing your own straight lines. They are very helpful in plotting out a garden to scale.

Before designing your garden, you should have an idea of what you want to plant and how big your garden is going to be. It is also important to take into consideration the topography of your garden when you decide to plant. Now, people always ask me why I often have raised beds or containers in mind when talking about planning a garden. When you're plotting out your garden, you also have to consider the type of plant containers or beds you're going to use.


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Keith Kelso truly loves the outdoors and the beauty of nature. Nursery Online will provide you with many plant varieties that possess unique and interesting traits, for your landscaping needs. Order one at http://www.nurseryonline.com.au/garden-preparation/ and beautify your yard.