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Simple steps to start a backyard garden

There is immense satisfaction in creating your own garden plan, but how do you begin to create a garden space that is unique to you? Here are a few simple steps that will help you through the process.

1. Identify WHY you want a garden.
How will you use it? Who else will enjoy the garden? Remember to get input from all family members on how your outdoor space will be used.

2. Do a little dreaming.
Now that you know why you want a garden and how you intend to use it, let your imagination play with all the possible features in your special space. A little dreaming will uncover those attributes that will put your personal imprint on the garden.

Also, decide whether you want a formal or an informal garden. Formal gardens are highly structured, divided by a strong central axis and cross axes. Informal gardens have a more natural look with strong, flowing curves.

3. Make a list of “must haves”.
What items are essential? Listing your needs upfront ensures that your final plan won’t be missing anything important. Do you need a retaining wall? A privacy fence? A path to the garage? Are you looking to add a gorgeous pergolas in your backyard?  Do children need a place to play? What about pets?

Walk around your property and make note of everything that is essential. Your final design should balance dream features and “must haves” to create a satisfying and functional space.

4. Evaluate what you already have.
To get where you are going, it helps to know your starting point. Is your space large or small? Is the site flat or sloping? What is the climate? What type of soil do you have? How much water is available and from what sources? 

5. Ballpark your budget.
Once you know what you want and what you need, it’s time to consider what you are willing to spend. This dollar figure will influence what features you include in the final garden plan — trees, plants, hardscape materials and architectural elements such as arbors, fountains, ponds and benches.

Remember that your “budget” comprises two elements: money and TIME. In terms of time, does the garden need to be finished by a certain date or can you create it over time? Also, how much time are you willing to budget to maintain your dream garden? Can you spare several hours a week using tools to upkeep or are you lucky enough to afford a caretaker?

As you develop and refine your plan, you may need to balance time and cash costs. Be flexible. You may need to spend more time if you can’t spend more money and vice versa.

6. Identify your garden’s focal points.
Every garden needs an eye-catching spot that causes you to pause a moment. When you choose a focal point, you are choosing the direction you want visitors to look when they enter your garden. Did your list of “wants” include a waterfall or fountain? Or a blossoming apple tree? If so, you are well on your way to identifying a focal point — or points — for your garden.

 

7. Choose your plants and hardscape.
The colours and materials that you choose will create the character of your garden, adding interest, movement and visual appeal. 

Plants comprise a significant part of your garden. In addition to plants, hardscape materials contribute variety and texture — wood arbours, brick borders, gravel paths, bronze statuary, and wrought-iron benches.

As you review your preliminary layout, consider the best material for each of the hardscape elements. Keep in mind that each element needs to fit with and complement the whole. For example, a terrace constructed of the same material as the house unifies while railroad ties around a formal garden create discord.

 

8. Execute your plan.
Before you begin the actual construction of the garden, check all local building codes and regulations to make sure that you will be in compliance. Structures such as decks, patios and retaining walls may require a permit from the local city government. Once all permits are in place, you can start to lay out the garden.

With your scale drawing as a blueprint, use a tape measure to position all structures, walkways and plants. Be sure to measure accurately so each element in your design fits its assigned space.

If designing a garden space sounds a bit intimidating, don’t panic. Just follow these steps one by one and let a space unfold that feels right to you. You CAN do it. 

 

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