How to Plan a Backyard Garden
What could be better than sitting outside on a warm summer night in your own backyard? All across America, the backyard has become an extension of the house, basically an outdoor room. It has become a playroom for the children, a kitchen extension for cooking and dining and a living space guaranteed to draw the eyes of visitors. You can plan the perfect garden to enhance your outdoor living space. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Graph paper or computer design program
- Pencil
- Watering hose
- Stakes and hammer
Instructions
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Measure your yard. Before beginning any planning, measure the space you have available. Draw a map to scale of the yard and garden area. Record your measurements on a sheet of graph paper or a computer program, making sure to accurately mark any immovable objects such as a fence or trees too big to move.
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Decide where the garden will go. You will not want it too close to a children's play area or a barbecue area, and it should be in a place that is convenient for watering. If you are going to grow vegetables, it will need to receive at least six hours of sunlight. You might want a small garden next to your deck or a large garden across the back of the yard.
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Lay out the garden area. You can easily lay it out by using a water hose for its outline. Once you have the outline of the garden you want, draw it on your backyard map. Use the stakes and hammer to mark the area.
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Decide what you will plant. Study a gardening book--or ask experts at a garden center-- to choose plants suitable for your climate and the amount of sun or shade they will receive. Consider a mix of annuals and perennials, which will provide flowers for the entire growing season.
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Also consider edible plants. Vegetables and herbs not only add variety to your garden but to your cuisine. Berry bushes will enhance the garden in the same way, although it may be wise to select thornless types to protect any children.
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Sketch the placement of plants. Plantings should occur in sets of odd numbers if possible. Plan on taller plants near the back of your garden if the garden is at the back of your yard. If the garden is in the middle of your yard, taller plants should go in the middle. The lowest-growing plants are often called ground covers and should be planted in the very front. Here's one possible arrangement: tall perennials such as daylilies or black-eyed Susans in the background, Russian sage or salvia in the middle, perennial coreopsis and annuals like pansies or petunias in the front.
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Designate a spot for a tree or trees. Flowering fruit trees not only add wonderful color and scent to the garden in spring, but will provide your family with fresh fruit in summer and fall. A tree that is at least 5 years old may be more expensive but will provide immediate impact.
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Finalize your plan before purchasing anything. Make sure everything you want is accurately placed on the map of your yard. Then you can begin removing grass and bringing in soil to build up the garden area. Consider throwing a backyard garden party for friends and neighbors to help with the creation of your garden, treating them to a barbecue when the digging and planting is finished.
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Tips & Warnings
Add solar-powered features to your garden. Items such as birdbaths, fountains and spotlights add a special touch without additional work. Ask friends and neighbors to contribute to your garden by suggesting their favorite perennials for your design.
