Design a Virtual Garden Online

Flower garden

Growing a healthy garden involves a considerable amount of planning. The gardener must decide what type of plants to grow, how large the garden should be and how far apart to space the plants. Fortunately, there are a number of websites that allow you to design a virtual garden online. The only thing you need is a computer with Internet access and a general idea of how large you would like your garden to be.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Paper

Instructions

1. Decide where to plant your garden. Look for a place with adequate soil, proper drainage and plenty of sunlight. Once you have decided, measure the space and record the dimensions on a piece of paper for easy reference later.

2. Visit the three virtual garden websites listed below. Each offers a different interface (and cost), so choose the one you like best.

3. The BBC's free virtual garden design tool allows you to easily click and drag different types of plants to a virtual garden space. You can create your own customized layouts based on your garden's dimensions or use preexisting templates. The online design tools allow you to view your garden in a two-dimensional plan view or in 3-D. The website also allows you to create a list of needed gardening supplies or send your garden design to a friend.

4. Plan 3D's website allows you to design every aspect of your garden, from plant selection to decks and patios. You can also create a virtual model of a pool or add sidewalks and fences of various sizes and materials. Trees and shrubs can be easily dragged from the menu and dropped into your landscaping scheme. Plan 3D charges a monthly fee of $2.95 for the online gardening program.

5. The Better Homes and Gardens Plan a Garden tool allows you to design a virtual garden using your own dimensions. Experiment with more than 150 types of flowers, trees and shrubs, or design garden sheds and ponds. This free online tool allows you to save your designs to access later or print your gardening plan.

Tips & Warnings

• When planning a garden, choose plants that are known to thrive in your geographic area.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• BBC Virtual Design Tool
• Plan 3D Online Landscaping Tools
• Better Homes and Gardens Plan a Garden