Anyone who has created their own garden plan knows about the joy that one feels, when the garden is finally completed. You then realize that all the effort you have put into creating your unique garden space is totally worth it. Here are a few tips, which will help you create your very own unique garden plan.

1. How do you plan to use your garden space?

Think about; why you need a garden and how do you plan to use it. Who else would want to spend time in the garden? Get input and ideas from your family members. If you would be having friends over often, you can ask them for suggestions too.

2. Create a ‘Must Have’ list

Make a list of things that are essential. Decide if your garden needs a path to the garage, a private fence, children’s play area, pet’s area etc. The best way to prepare this list is to walk around the property, and keep jotting down things that are missing. Your final garden design must strike a balance between your ‘must haves’ and ‘dream features’.

3. What are the existing things you can work with, when it comes to your garden?

Look at your starting point and examine what you already have. How large/small is your garden? Is the garden site hilly and what type of soil do you have? How about the climate- cold, tropical? Think of all the views and also, identify views that you may want to block out.

4. Fix a budget

Your ‘budget’ must include two aspects, namely, money and time.

After you have analyzed what you want, what you need and what you have, you need to decide on what you are willing to spend. The ballpark budget that you come up with, will influence things that will fit into your final garden plan. Once the budgeting is done, you can decide on what sort of things you can include in your garden- trees, landscape materials, fountains, ponds, gazebos, benches and so on.

When it comes to time, decide on a date by which you want the garden to be finished. Also, you need to realize that once you have your dream garden, you will have to spend time maintaining it. Would you have enough time to maintain the garden, or do you need to hire help?

Be flexible, and keep refining your plan as time progresses. If you want to reduce the maintenance cost, you would have to spend more time in the garden.

5. Garden’s focal points

Every garden must have a few focal points that catch the eye. When you decide on a focal point, remember that this is the direction in which your visitors would be looking. You can have a fountain, waterfall, pond or a blossoming tree, at the focal points of your garden.

6. Create a workable rough design

Now that you have all that information with you, you need to create a rough design. While creating this design, remember to include all the ‘must haves’ and be selective in choosing the ‘dream features’. Your garden has to be functional, as well as a space that you enjoy.

7. Select plants and hardscape

Decide on the colors, materials and textures that you want to use. These add personality to your garden space. Do you want strong, bold hues or cool tones? Do you want harmonious colors or contrasting ones?

Plants play a very important role in your garden. But apart from plants, hardscape items and materials also add a lot to your garden. So be wise in choosing the proper bronze statues, wrought-iron benches, wood arbors and lawn figurines.