How to Draw a Garden Plan
If the weather outside isn't great for gardening, a wonderful way to work on your garden is to sketch out a planting plan. This will help you know what to buy and where you'll plant it when the weather permits. Having a plan will save you from making mistakes and having to move things later. It will also let you plant one part at a time knowing the whole will retain design continuity. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
-
-
1
First, do a sketch of the layout in the area(s) you want to plant.
-
2
Make a list of all the plants you'd like to include. Put in whatever you'd like even if you may not end up using them all. Divide your list into three columns: sun-lovers, shade-lovers, partial sun or shade plants.
-
-
3
Give each plant on your list a symbol in colored pencil, like a red X or a yellow square, or a purple O.
-
4
Mark out or lightly color in which areas have full sun, full shade and those that have something in between.
-
5
Now you can start placing your symbols on your plan keeping the proper sun exposure in mind.
-
6
If you are using trees, they should go in first. Plant them where roots will not cause future problems and leave a big space for them as if you were planting them full grown. You can always fill in with temporary plants as the grow in, but if you don't leave ample space at the beginning, you will likely regret it later.
-
7
If you have a particularly showy plant you want as a focal point, place that where it will catch the eye best. Try to avoid placing it right in the middle of the garden. It is more interesting if it is slightly to one side or another.
-
8
Now fill in the back areas with larger plants.
-
9
Design your plants in groups, not in lines (unless you are planting a hedge). Repeat clusters of the same type throughout the garden for continuity. You can design areas with families of color like warms: reds, oranges and yellows, or cools: pinks, purples and blues. Formal gardens can be effective in single colors like whites or reds. Some folks love mixed random colors and shapes. Design according to your own taste.
-
10
Again, plant your plants spaced as if they are full grown so you leave them the space they need to mature. You can fill in with annual flowers as they grow. Or you can mulch. Larger open areas can be filled with ground-covers.
-
11
If you have the time, you can buy one of the many landscape design programs available and play with your design on the computer.
-
12
If you would like some expert input, call in a garden designer or garden coach. Or hire one to do your design, but make sure you work closely unless you want someone else's design over your own.
Designing out your garden on paper is great way to save you costly mistakes when the garden is actually installed.
-
1
Resources
More Like This
Comments
-
sockmonkey
Feb 10, 2009
Good advice. We have been in our new home for 2 yrs. and have some landscaping left to do. I like the idea of using colored markings for the various plant types. Leaving room for plants/trees to mature is so important!
-
MIghtyDreamer
Oct 10, 2008
Definitely, wise ideas to contemplate. Detailed and informative. No doubt this could help for enourmous savings too
-
kaseysviewblog
Oct 08, 2008
Good idea, it's always best to know what you want to do before hand.
