MAKE A PLAN
Have a concept of the sort of appearance you want to accomplish and proceed from there, as with any project. There is a wide variety of designs, from tropical gardens to gravel gardens, cottage gardens to contemporary. Working toward a precise plan will truly pay off in preventing the garden from seeming to be a hotchpotch of ideas with no overarching theme. Websites like Pinterest and Instagram are great for sparking ideas and focusing on your interests.
ASSESS YOUR PLOT
Make sure you are aware of the materials you are using. Before purchasing any new plants, measure the size of your garden. Before making any selections regarding what plants to purchase, take some time to observe the patterns of light and shadow, the places that are dry and those that are swampy.
LOOK AROUND YOUR LOCAL AREA
Look into your neighbor’s yard. Take inspiration from front gardens in your area to discover what plants are flourishing in the soil there, suggests landscape designer Sam Proctor. You may be sure that the circumstances in your garden will be ideal if the neighbour next door has the nicest banana plant you’ve ever seen.
GET TO KNOW YOUR SOIL
According to experienced gardener Penelope Walker, “This is particularly essential since the kind of soil (clay, sandy, chalk, or loam) can effect how your plants develop.” Most plants won’t live in the “wrong” soil, therefore it’s important to have a strategy before buying plants.
UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH SUN YOUR PLOT GETS
What you can grow will depend on the amount of light and shadow, since you may require hardy plants if your garden doesn’t get much sun. Penelope Walker notes that the amount of light or shadow a border receives will affect the plants that will thrive there. “As with the soil type,” she adds. Generally speaking, plants with larger leaves will choose shadier locations while those with narrower or smaller leaves will thrive in the light.
POSITION LARGER PLANTS FIRST
Plant the biggest plants first. “Consider first the potential locations for a tree (or several trees). Trees will require the greatest space and be challenging to “squeeze in” later, “Penelope Walker explains.
“Be mindful of overhanging lines and refrain from planting too close to the home. Trees are excellent additions to any garden because they provide a haven and food for animals as well as adding to the general attractiveness of the space. If you’re short on space, there are many of lesser trees available.”
SET YOUR BOUNDARIES EARLY ON
Sam Proctor suggests that you may completely transform a place and set the tone for the rest of the garden by screening an unattractive fence or trailing climbers up a wall.
