Steps to a Successful Garden Design- Understand your site
- Understand your soil
- Consider your garden use
- Decide on your maintenance level
- Create a garden plan
- Select appropriate plants
Program of Use - Prepare a list of outdoor living needs or desired activities
- Consider outdoor eating area, play area, gardens, trees
- Storage area for sports and gardening equipment
- Pet area
- Lighting for night use and security
- Attract birds or butterflies
Plant Selection Considerations - Hardiness zone
- Size of space
- Colour scheme
- Four season interest
Note: attached is a pdf version of the Garden Design presentation | Understand your Site Conditions- Direction - North, South, East, West
- Sloping or level
- Wet and dry areas
- Sunny and shady areas
- Watering needs and capacity
- Hardiness Zone (Haliburton County generally zone 4)
- Wind patterns
Maintenance Level / Budget - How much work do you wish to devote to maintenance
- Thing about cost of the landscape design and budget accordingly
Order of Plant Selection - Trees
- Vines
- Shrubs
- Tall perennials
- Short perennials
- Annuals
| Soil - Most Important for a Successful Garden- Know type of soil in your garden area
- Consider adding soil amendments such as manure or peat moss as needed
- Know your soil pH - Optimum is 6.5-7.5
- Add 3" of organic material to garden beds late fall or early spring
Create a Garden Plan - Property survey or plot plan locating property lines, house, garage, sidewalks, utilities, hydro, septic bed, fuel tank access
- Features of the house - entrance, garage doors, windows, decks
- Existing structural items - fences, retaining walls, pool, patio, walkways
- Existing landscape features - trees, hedges, planting beds, large vines
- Spatial and climatic conditions - views from inside the house, location of sunny and shady areas
Be Realistic ... Focus on What is Important to You and your Family
Entertaining / Family Fun / Retreat / Gardening / Sports / Pets / Birds and Butterflies / Curb Appeal
Complement your Home's Architectural Style and your Personal Garden Style
Cottage style / Informal / Contemporary / Formal / Japanese / Contemplative |
 Updating...
Ċ Dinah Wilson, Nov 5, 2011, 11:25 AM
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