Garden design explained by Adam
Design basics
Explore your garden at different times of day, to get to know the light and shade
Understanding the basics of garden design is the first step to creating the garden of your dreams. Adam Frost explains how to get started
People often seem daunted by the idea of designing their own garden. It’s interesting that many are comfortable turning their house into a home – choosing colour schemes, layout and furniture – but not turning their outdoor space into the haven of their dreams. But it needn’t be that way – it’s simple and fun to design your garden so it reflects your personality and lifestyle.
Start by drawing up two lists. The first should include all the practical elements you need in your garden – shed, compost bin, washing line, bin store, etc – and the second should be about you, your family and what you love. Think about places, music, colours, shapes and anything that reflects your personality. You could even gather photos and other images of things you like, to create a mood board.
These lists should be a constant reference point, and your most useful tool in creating a garden that you’ll love and that works for you practically.
Get to know your garden
The first step to creating your dream garden is to understand what you have
– by that I mean the soil type, plot size, climate and the environment in which it sits. Don’t be in a rush. If you have a new garden, leave it alone for 12 months to discover whether you have any hidden gems. We can be too quick to remove things from our gardens that have taken a long time to grow, when they could, with a little pruning and TLC, become a vital part of the new design. Also use this assessment period to explore your garden at different times of the day and year, to get to know the light and shade, and how it feels.
On a practical level, the most important thing we have in our garden is soil. Understanding it is vital, so get a simple test kit from the garden centre before you begin your design. You’ll find out whether you have an alkaline, neutral or acid soil, which you’ll need to know when choosing plants (more on this next month). Also get your hands into the soil to feel its structure. Rubbing soil though your hands will quickly give you an understanding of whether it’s clay, sandy or silty, etc.
Next, monitor your weather – consider how much rain you get, whether your site is exposed or sheltered, and how the sun moves across your garden. Work out the direction your garden faces (use a simple compass if you’re unsure) and where the prevailing wind comes from. Finally, listen to the sounds around you – does your garden attract wildlife or not, and are your neighbours noisy? Do the sounds need muffling or are they something to embrace and enhance?