Most gardens are developed over time. Often elements such as paths and patios are placed in the most convenient locations, and 20 years later you are still mowing around an unsightly rotary line.
This is acceptable until money is spent on the development of the main areas of the garden. At this time, some time measuring and planning can help with saving money and time.
This chapter covers the structural elements of a garden, the design and use of walls and fences, gate locations, path and driveway construction and the rationale for garden lighting. The layout and design of a garden and the rationale for plant placement is covered. This chapter does not include a description and identification of plants.
When making design decisions for a garden, functionality should be addressed before form. Start by determining what functions you need your garden to serve. Once you’ve identified these, prioritize them because a small garden cannot serve too many functions.
Beyond determining the functions of your garden, it is also necessary to study the position of the sun throughout the day. The position of the sun will determine the location of seating and other features. Patios built against a house wall are standard, but if the wall is north-facing, you will not be able to use that patio. Additionally, the best features of a garden are usually located at the lowest level.
It is important to get the position of pathways, structures and other permanent garden features, right. Plants can be changed to improve the look of a garden, but pathways in the wrong places cannot be changed.
You should always check the drainage of the garden before doing any planting. Compacted soil can hold a lot of water. If the soil is compacted, that means that the soil is not ideal for growing a lawn or other plants.
Find out what’s underground. A good portion of the service lines to a house, like electricity, gas and water, are located in the back yard, and old houses may have a drain that’s out of place. It’s usually free to check with LinesearchbeforeUdig to find out what’s underground. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Find out the true boundaries of your property. Just because you and your neighbor have always considered a certain fence to be the property line, doesn’t mean it is. To be certain, you should check your title deed.
Keep in mind the few regulations. While a large portion of home improvement and garden work requires planning permission, there are a few surprises. In England, for example, a fence cannot be any higher than 2 meters, and a deck can’t be any higher than 30 centimeters. Conservation areas and listed buildings have additional regulations that may impact home improvement projects.
The most common mistakes
A common mistake is building paths that are too narrow. A path that’s too narrow quickly gets overgrown and isn’t useful for very long. A path that’s 1 meter wide is adequate for two people to walk side by side.
Another common mistake is failing to account for the size of chairs when determining the size of a patio. The patio should be large enough to comfortably fit the table and allow people to push the chairs all the way back. Paving over a large area of the front yard may require permits as well, depending on if it obstructs the drainage of the area.
Plants growing in a straight line gives the illusion of a smaller garden. Using wider borders with curves makes a bigger impact and gives the illusion of more space.
Purchasing plants without knowing the conditions of your garden is a common mistake. Test your soil to see if it is usable for a given plant. A soil test is cheap and can tell you a lot about the plants you are interested in.
Small plots of land can be challenging, however, there are a few methods to make your garden layout appear larger. One method is to use larger materials in your garden layout to decrease the number of materials used. Planting schemes can help by using different plants to cover the change in the seasons.
Choosing the right materials for pathways, retaining walls, fences and other hardscapes can increase the longevity of your garden. Natural materials tend to last longer. Furthermore, if you are concerned with the environment and impact on the world, you should consider using materials that are more sustainable. The cost of concrete can be less, however, there are better options that have less of an impact.
Choosing plants that thrive during the spring and summer and assist in covering empty spaces in your garden can go a long way. Planning for February can be just as important as planning for June.
Lawns and Surfaces
Whether turf “takes” when seed fails. Reasons why grass turns brown in August. What to do when it does. The good, the bad and the ugly of artificial turf.
Lighting and Water Features
Mood and task garden lighting, natural swimming ponds and other water features.
Other Questions
When is the best time to redesign a garden?
Winter to see the skeletal framework of the garden.
What should the framework of a garden consist of?
Hardscaping, which is best done in the spring or fall.
Why not do it all in one year?
It doesn’t hurt the garden to do hardscaping over a couple of years, and a garden can always use some new, or reconstructed pathways to begin with.
Why not consult a professional?
A garden designer is only needed for extensive projects. For minor projects, a consult is all that is needed.