Landscape Garden Designs

How will the garden be used?

You may want to grow vegetables, just lie around on the grass or you may want an all year round ornamental garden. Jot down what is important to you and consider what this will mean when you start the design. For example:

1. If you have young children you may want to avoid poisonous plants or a deep pool.

• Plan ahead!
• You could build a sandpit which could be converted into a pool when the children grow older

2. Do you want to eat outdoors?

• The patio needs to be big enough for the table and chairs
• Where will the barbecue be stored?

3. A garden has to be practical as well as ornamental

• Where will the dustbins and washing line go?
• Where can the children ride their bikes or kick a ball?
• Why not screen these areas with a trellis or a hedge from the ornamental part of the garden?

What special plants do you want to grow?

• Herbs - these will need a sunny spot and free draining soil
• Alpines - will need similar conditions to herbs but may need special protection from the rain in the winter
• Fruit - you will need to consider the growing conditions suitable for the fruit you have in mind
• Vegetables - these could be incorporated into the ornamental garden or you may want a special area screened from the rest of the garden