Planning a Garden

Good garden design start with knowing what you want.  Going to your local nurseries to pick up some plants should be the last thing you do after spending time reviewing options at hand.  Here are some issues to help you plan your garden.

• Purpose of your garden.

What do you want to use your garden for?  Are you looking to create a private area from a busy street or neighbors?  Is it your own space or for a public view?  Will you want to attract birds and butterflies into your yard?  Will you want to entertain your guests in the garden in a particular time, such as afternoon tea or evening barbeques?  You may need a patio.  Will you want your garden to produce cutting flowers?  Would you want your plants in containers for flexibility?     

• The Style of your garden.

What do you want your garden to look like?  Will it be formal, informal, or wild?  Do you want your garden style to compliment your home’s architectural style?  Do you want it to blend with the natural landscape?  Do you want a four-season interest?  Do you have a theme for your garden?  Do you want soft pastel color or bold tropical?

• Assess what you have.

Once you have an idea of how you are going to use your garden and what you envision the look of your garden, take an objective look at what you have.  Consider your space, time, and budget.    If you are planting vegetable, the site needs to have at least 8 hours of sun exposure everyday.  Flowers and other decorative plants have different sun light needs depending on the types.  Are there structures or large trees that will affect plant growth and selection?  Are you designing your garden to fit a window sill or have a small balcony?  How much space do you have to do what you want?  A 4X4 foot plot of land is a good start for vegetable.    How much time in a day can you realistically devote to your garden?  Time requirement will vary from season to season.  How much money can you spend on your garden project?  If you live on the coast with strong winds and salty air, there are many other factors to consider in planning your garden.

• Make a seasonal plan.

Read up on gardening.  Buy a few good gardening reference books.  Write down the names of the plants and your preferences.  For a vegetable garden, think about what you want to eat.  With flowers, make a list of what you would like to see, what type of fragrance you would like, and what colors you love.  Contact your nurseries for local information to create a schedule for planting.  You will need the help determining what plants will grow in your part of the country, and the ideal time to plant and harvest.

• Buy some basic tools.

Before you begin your gardening project, invest in basic gardening tools and have these essentials on hand:  Spade, a dibbler to make holes in the ground for seeds and plants, soaking hose, a garden hose and spray fixture with gentle spray, a three-prong cultivator, a basket for moving around mulch and potting soil, and hat, gloves and sun protection.  Don’t forget to wear long sleeves clothes.

Gardening is a distraction for today’s hectic lives.  It reminds us to slow down, water the plants, dig up weeds, and anticipate a reward.  Gardens are not made overnight.  Time spends planning your garden can be looked at not as a chore but as pleasure.  Start small and enjoy what you have.