Creating A Garden: Where to Begin?

What makes a great garden? Quite simply, careful planning and skill in execution. With gardening and landscaping now featured on so many lifestyle programs and magazines, it is easy to think that creating a garden is a simple exercise. In reality, it is such a multi-faceted project. The use of professional horticulturists is essential in setting you on the right path of achieving your dream garden and avoiding mistakes that are not only costly, but a waste of precious growing time.

The first step is to evaluate the site, taking into account existing vegetation, soil quality, climate, the client’s personal needs and budget. A professional landscape designer will take all this and more into consideration. It is important to be realistic about how much time you want to dedicate to gardening, as maintenance of a garden is an ongoing task. So, ask yourself “do I want a high or low maintenance garden?”

Now that you have your design, the next step is a planting plan. This is invaluable, as plants need to be selected that will not only survive but will thrive in your specific climate and soil conditions.

Once you have established these fundamental building blocks to create your garden you can assess your budget and timeframe. You may choose to do a lot of work yourself over time, or to employ landscapers who will construct your garden in a shorter period of time.