By Rachael Leverton
Plan a new garden for 2024
When the outlook is cold and bleak pour a mug of hot chocolate and start planning for Spring.
We’d all like a dream garden right? But is your dream garden the same as your neighbour’s? Probably not. Whether you’re designing a garden from scratch or remodelling the one you have there is no ‘one size fits all’ garden design. Unless you can afford to have the professionals in – and they can be worth every penny – you’ll need to apply a lot of thought to the process. We’ve created this brief guide to give you a kick-start.
Budget Be clear about this. There’s no point coming up with a grand design if you can’t afford to carry it through.
Time If you work full time and have an active social life you’ll need to think ‘low-maintenance.’
Consult your family. What do they want from the garden? Small children will want a space to play; the adults might want a space to eat and entertain; you might want to grow your own veg, or herbs.
Is it possible? How big is the garden? How much sun does it get? It’s no good planning lots of flowerbeds if the garden is in deep shade for most of the day. How can you compromise so that everyone is happy?
What shape is your garden? Each shape presents its own challenge. Square can be boring and needs to be broken up using lots of curves. Long and thin can be disguised by dividing it into imaginary rooms linked by a winding path. Slopes can be challenging, especially if they’re steep but could be made into a feature by terracing or incorporating a waterfall.
Firm up your ideas Do you want grass or paving? How much should be devoted to borders or flowerbeds? Will you need a new fence or would you rather have a natural hedge? Will you need professional help with any hard landscaping?
Make a scale plan Measure all the major distances in your garden. It’s a good idea to take them from a fixed point, such as the corner of your house. Try 1/4 or 1/2 inch = 1 foot if you’re not metric and 1cm or 2cm = 1m if you are. When complete make several copies and draw all your ideas on to the plans until you come up with one you really like. Because it’s to scale you can now carry out your plans with confidence. Happy Gardening!
When Planning a Garden…
Look at the plants which thrive in your neighbours’ gardens. Chances are they’ll do well in yours too.
Don’t be scared of garden designers. A good one can maximise the potential of your plot. You can still do all the work yourself at your leisure if the budget is tight.
Get help with hard landscaping if you don’t have the expertise. You’ll save money and heartache in the long run!
Happy Gardening!