Plan Your Garden Like a Professional

Why does a garden grow so lush in one yard, only to be a hopeless mess in another? The main reason is planning. When planned correctly, a garden could last over decades. So before you dig, weed, and plant – stop and review these simple steps that will guarantee the right results.

First, know what you want. List everything you want your garden to be. A clearance for the children (swing, sand box, a club house), a useable garden (vegetable patch, fruit trees, compost, greenhouse), an oasis (beach chair, Hammock, arbor), a meeting place for family and friends (large sitting area, grill), a habitat for animals (dog run, rabbit hutch, fish pond). Set your priorities.

While you’re going through the possibilities stay true to the style of your house. A modern, straight-lined house may call for large spherical shrubs and high grasses while a country house may get along well with romantic patches of full blooms.

Next, make a design. Draw a basic outline of your garden that includes any existing trees and bushes. Where is it wind-protected, shady, or quiet? Mark shady areas with green circles. Where would you like to sit and relax? Mark relaxation areas with red circles. Where, when, and how long does the sun shine? Mark areas that get the most sun with yellow circles (these could be for some sun-hungry flowers). Mark Blue circles for ponds or wells. Next, take your basic drawing and walk into your home and mark area’s that are easily seen from windows. This will give you ideas of what part of your garden is mostly seen.

With these basics done, now the fun begins. You can creatively figure out areas of play, planting, growing, and relaxing, what sort of plants will work and grow the best where, and just how much enjoyment you’ll have from your garden year after year.