There are a plethora of different ways in which one might approach design, but the truth is that in most cases – the best gardens are the ones that make people feel happy and comfortable. You might think, well, that sounds extremely vague and you are right as there is no guideline on a garden that is going to work for everyone, but there definitely are some tips that are going to help you better your garden, and that’s what we are going to be talking about in this article.
In general, you want your garden to be relaxing, easy to navigate, and not all that hard to maintain. You want your paths and structures to be simple and well defined, while the plants that you select need to serve a certain purpose instead of competing with each other. Now, that is really just the tip of the iceberg, so, let’s dig into the actual tips so that we can go into more details on the execution.
Where should you even begin?
The best advice for newcomer gardeners is to wait before permanently making changes to their gardens. Hold back and wait until all the seasons of the year have passed while observing all the changes that happen during this time. See what grows well in the neighborhood and maybe consult with your neighbors to see what kind of plants you should get.
Make sure to keep newer plants in their pots for the first season, in order to study them at close quarters. In the meantime, you can decide slowly what you want to do with them and where you want to put them permanently.
Think about dividing your garden into segments
If you want to make your outdoor space feel much larger than it actually is, consider creating so-called “outdoor” rooms in your garden. You can do this by using hard landscaping such as trellis, stone, or even concrete walls. There is another alternative, and as this website advises, a great, nature-inspired way in which you can divide your garden is through soft landscaping, by sectioning your garden with a low hedge. There are plenty of different ways in which you can use hedges for this purpose, but you can also opt for tall planting and pleached trees and get similar results.
Of course, you don’t have to make this a huge project. Even if you just add tall planting to screen off just a part of our garden, you will be able to get a whole new look for your space. When you hide parts of your garden from immediate view, it prevents people from seeing everything at once, which can create a new, additional interest.
Make sure that you utilize vertical elements
Even if you have a tiny garden, keep in mind that you are not limited just to the ground. You can utilize fences, walls, and even trellis as places for your plants. If you cleverly use climbers, you can make use of that extra volume, which people often forget. Don’t get discouraged by the lack of space. Since you do not need as many plants to fill it, you can make a little flower heaven with fewer resources than if you had more space.
Vertical elements are a great way for you to go big with your garden even if you are operating with limited space. It is advised that, even in the small gardens, at least one tree is planted.
Understanding the dynamics of what you’re working with
When looking for advice on gardening, you should always keep in mind the fact that every piece of land is different in various ways. Every one of them has its own special features and variables, which means that you need to understand the most important ones regarding your garden in order to be able to plan properly. Whether we are talking about changes in elevation, shade, sunny areas, windy spots, existing trees, or anything else, we can see that no piece of land is truly the same.
These features are something that can determine where and how you will plant your garden. Make sure you know its topography and microclimate so that you are able to have nice and healthy plants. And depending on what kind of soil and climate your garden has, you will know what specific plants to buy.
In the end, garden design truly is a process comprised of trial and error, so – don’t stray away from trying something new every now and then. Ultimately, the goal is to make the garden feel beautiful just as it looks. That being said, make sure to do your research but also to trust your gut, go for the things that make you happy, and you will surely end up with a garden that you’re satisfied with.