Garden Design

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
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HOW_TO_PLAN_A_SUCCESSFUL_GARDEN.pdf
(990k)
Dinah Wilson,
Nov 5, 2011, 11:25 AM
v.2