How to Implement your Garden Design

Garden design from scratch offers you the exciting opportunity to express your personal taste and style. Think of your garden as a blank canvas, with you as the artist ready to create something beautiful. The garden will evolve as plants, trees, and shrubs grow, but starting with a solid plan is key to a satisfying result.

Turn Your Garden Design into Reality

Step 1: Starting with the Basics of Garden Design

Before you start digging, it’s important to know the characteristics of your property. Walk around your garden with a checklist and measuring tape. This helps you understand your garden’s size, climate, and features such as sunny or shaded spots. Pay attention to any slopes that could cause drainage issues and consider a garden design that will add features like rockeries or water elements in areas where the soil is tough or contains builder’s rubble. Knowing these details will help you develop a design that works with your garden’s natural attributes.

For inspiration, turn to magazines, books, and even your neighbours’ gardens. Whether you choose a classical or natural garden design, the layout should complement your home’s architecture. Also, be sure to select mostly indigenous plants, with a few exotics thrown in for variety, and avoid alien species.

Step 2: Drawing Up Your Garden Plan

With a clear idea of what you want, it’s time to sketch out your plan. Start with rough sketches and refine them over time. Use graph paper to ensure accuracy, as this will save you time when implementing the design. When designing, divide the space into smaller sections, using curves and lines to create a sense of flow and movement.

Make sure the layout feels balanced by incorporating focal points, hard elements like paving, and a variety of shapes. However, avoid clustering too many elements together, as this will overwhelm certain areas and throw off the balance of the garden design.

Step 3: Planning Plant Placement and Maintenance

Once you’re satisfied with the garden layout, it’s time to decide on plants. Take into account the ease of future maintenance. This is the fun part—visiting nurseries and picking the perfect plants to match your vision.

When selecting plants, be mindful of their sun and shade needs. Also, consider how they’ll look in different seasons, since some plants go dormant in winter. Make sure to plan for easy watering by positioning beds near tap points, and consider how to manage unsightly structures with strategically placed trees or shrubs. If you have any neighbouring trees, be careful not to plant sun-loving plants too close to these areas as they may be overshadowed.

Tip: If you have children or pets, take care to avoid poisonous plants. Some common garden plants can be harmful if ingested or touched, so be sure to research which species are safe before adding them to your garden design.

Step 4: Preparing the Soil

Good soil is the foundation of a healthy garden, so it’s essential to take your time and get this step right. Start by clearing the area of any debris, weeds, or old roots. Then, mix organic compost, manure, and topsoil in large tubs. Depending on your plants, you may also want to add perlite for better drainage.

Check the pH of your soil using a simple soil testing kit, and adjust it if necessary with amendments like bone meal or lime for alkaline-loving plants, or sulphur for acid-loving plants. This step ensures the best growing environment for your specific plant choices.

• Digging depth: For most plants and seedlings, dig down to around 40cm, loosening the existing soil. Mix the pre-prepared soil into the existing soil or replace it entirely, ensuring that the mixture is light and loose, free of stones, compacted soil, or other obstacles that might harm roots. Proper drainage is key to preventing waterlogging and root rot.
• Planting trees or larger plants: If you’re planting semi-mature trees or larger shrubs, you’ll need to dig deeper, around 60-80cm or more, depending on the plant’s size and root structure. Take into consideration the water needs of the plant and ensure the soil depth and looseness can support deep root growth.

Step 5: Turning the Plan into Reality

Now it’s time to bring your garden design to life. Whether you decide to do it yourself or hire professionals, implementing a garden design can be a lot of hard work, but it’s incredibly satisfying. If you choose the DIY route, break the process down into manageable tasks to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Your quick step-by-step guide to turning your garden design into a thriving outdoor space:

1. Shop for essentials: Get the basics like gardening tools, soil, compost, and fertilisers. While it’s tempting to buy plants early on, wait until your layout is mapped out and the soil is prepped before going all in.
2. Map out the design: Use string and markers to map out your design on the ground. Stick to your original plan, but be open to adjustments once you see the design take shape.
3. Tackle the heavy work first: Start with the hardscaping elements like paving, stonework, and irrigation. This will help define the garden’s structure and offer another chance to tweak the design before planting.
4. Prepare the soil: This was covered in detail earlier, but remember, the quality of your soil will determine the long-term health of your plants. Don’t rush this stage, and ensure the mixture is well-prepared before planting.
5. Planting: Now for the most exciting part—adding plants! Ensure proper spacing and avoid crowding. It’s a good idea to place plants in their pots first to get a sense of the overall look. Be mindful of each plant’s water, light, and soil needs to set your garden up for success.
6. Finishing Touches and Enjoying Your Garden: Your new garden will need plenty of care, especially in its early stages. Water regularly, including the lawn, and enjoy watching your garden grow. Consider adding elements like a veggie patch, playground, or entertainment area for personalisation. Your garden should make a statement with contrasting textures, colours, and shapes, so don’t hesitate to experiment.

Some extra tips on what makes a garden look great:

• Your layout should make a statement with different textures, colours and contrasts.
• New gardens do appreciate a lot of care and water in their beginning stages – even the lawn.
• Design your garden with indigenous species for waterwise and successful gardens that require minimal maintenance.

Remember, the joy of gardening is not only in the final product but also in the process itself. Whether you’re working under the sun or enjoying your new outdoor space, take time to savour each step in the journey toward your dream garden.