Assessing the Garden Site

 

One of the major dangers that can befall an amateur garden designer is lack of patience. Instant gardens only exist at horticultural shows, and in fact, they often have a sterility about them that you wouldn't wish in your own garden.

There are no short cuts to creating a garden; never be tempted to start designing your plot before you finish carrying out an accurate site survey. A thorough initial assessment will pays rich dividends later, and form the basis of a scale drawing that will in turn form the outline of the finished scheme.

In addition to detailing measurements of the site, your survey should include factors such as climate and soil type, as this sort of information is invaluable when making decisions about shelter, drainage, which plants to grow and where to site them.

Measuring the Site
How to measure your garden in order to produce an accurate plan ...
Marking Existing Features
Adding in the position of plants and 'hard' elements such as paths, terraces and ponds ...
Changes of Level
The impact a sloping plot has on your garden design ...
Climate Considerations
Assessing the climate of your garden to make the most of your planting choices ...
The Garden Setting
Noting the features of your garden setting, such as orientation, views and noise ...
Soil
The importance of determining your soil type when planning your garden ...
The Water Table
Finding the level of water in your garden ...
Exploiting Natural Characteristics
Working with the given features of your garden site ...