For Beginner Gardeners
The Skills and Thrills of Growing Things
Follow the links in each point to get started with the creation of your own garden plan.
Keeping a simple journal to record your thoughts and create simple drawings will help keep you on track.
You can design your own garden without too much complexity or expertise. Follow some simple guidelines, get some educational resources, and you're off on an adventure of creating your own home garden.
I'm not saying that design is as simple as 1-2-3 in the whole study of it, but I am saying that even newbies can use basic design to successfully plan and make a beautiful yard.
Beginner Gardening Design
Garden Design is a process of combining landscape function, pleasing design principles, and your own likes and dislikes. I often say it is very much like interior design, using the same artistic principles and basing the results off of personal taste.
Begin With An Idea Board
You are creating a landscape plan so that you can have the place reflect your aesthetic.
- Start with ideas that you love, colors you love, projects that appeal to you. Today, sites like Pinterest and Houzz make this easy. Here is my Pinterest boards: Primarily Garden Boards on @IlonaGarden, and the Gardening Board on @TrueGrit.
- Where should you plant your tree? Trees are one of the most important choices you will make. Consider some basic points before you dig. How to plan where to put your trees.
Draw a Plan
- Simply collect your pencil, some graph paper, and measurements of your yard. (If you have a property survey, that is ideal). Draw the dimensions of the yard and building. Make copies of that drawing.
- On the copies, draw potential garden beds, family-use areas like firepit or playground, etc., possible pathways. Experiment freely with your ideas until you see a plan you like.
- Make notes or drawings of trees and planting you envision. At this point, a landscape software program or design handbook could be used to plan your landscape in detail
- Use your plan as a guide, or take it to a landscaping professional to explain what you want in your plan.
Home landscape plan
Learn More About Garden Design
Landscaping On Need To Know Basis
Which is Easier, A New or Old Garden?
Both have their challenges. Make some design decisions based on whether you are starting from scratch or not.
Newbie Design Tips
- 5 Garden Design Principles
- Design Glossary, notes on Design elements
- Color in the Garden
Helpful To Start With
a. Costs: What is the ballpark figure that you are aiming for in overall costs for plants, materials, labor?
b. Collect sample ideas: This is your hardcopy ideaboard. Find source in magazines and online for garden designs that resonate with what you'd like for your own space. You will develop an idea of your style
c. Take Photos: Overall shots of the yard, details of plants and present features (arbors, pathways, major trees, etc).
d. Survey Dimensions: Take measurements of your boundaries. Where are the powerlines, unappealing views, or viewsheds? Mark them on this basic property survey.
e. Environmental factors: What direction does the prevailing wind come from? Do you get sun in the morning or afternoon? Is the sun direct or indirect? Where are the water hook-ups? Are there microclimates that are more sheltered? Find the compass directions that your garden areas face, and note them.
f. Are there HOH restrictions? Required setbacks for fences, etc?
Make it Easy
Start with an easy plan for herbs or veggies. It's easy, and you will love having something you grew yourself.
Simplify the design process, get the results of a pro.
Color In The Garden
Choosing color... themes, combinations, plans
Autumn Foliage Color
Add foliage color to your garden
Take Photos
Take photos of your yard. This will really help you look at the "whole picture". Before and afters, during the project process- they will all be immensely useful. It will be valuable information to keep in a garden journal, for your future reference or for a future owner.
House Style
Get to know the architectural style of your house. This will help you choose a harmonizing garden look. It also aids in choosing colors or appropriate remodeling details. You don't have to stick rigidly to a style, but it helps to know what details mark your house's appearance and give it character.
Gorgeous All Season Color in Your Garden
How to get gorgeous color in your garden (hint: not just with flowers)
Include colorful foliage to add interest.
Combine plants to provide contrasts and texture.
Gardens to Start With
A Starter Vegetable Garden is an easy plan to add some delicious fresh food to your table.
A Simple Herb Garden in a few easy steps.
Return To Start Page
Multiply Your Plants
Easy seeds to grow in your garden
Once you have learned the basics, take your garden education to the next level of Learning to Garden.