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Arbico-Organics

Do It Yourself Garden Design

   (Read 500+ times)
By Patricia Wainwright

Having a garden full of expensive plants and flowers of vibrant hues is not enough to make it feature of the house. However, not every household can afford the expensive rate and taste of a good landscape architect or designer. Designing one’s own garden may be fearsome to certain people as it requires much time and effort but it is definitely a fulfillment once completed. A do it yourself garden design is much like interior design. It requires planning and budget consideration. Yet like any design, it can prove to be worthwhile when well-thought of and executed. The process involves the following steps.

The first step is the analysis of the site or the area. This is important as it is a great factor in plant selection and space planning. Taking note of the soil type, regional climate, topography, drainage, and sun and shade patterns will determine the amount of nutrients and moisture needed by plants. This analysis will help the design not only remedy all existing problems but also prevent potential problems in the future.

The second step involves the integration of your wants and needs into the plan. The do it yourself garden design should reflect how the owner uses or plans to use the space, how they want it to look like, the type of maintenance they can submit in, and most importantly, their budget. These factors will determine how the space should be organized, the style or theme that should be used for the whole area, and where focal points, highlights, and transition areas should be placed.

The third step is to accessorizing to make the garden aesthetically pleasing and a functional dreamy outdoor space. The answer to this will be the details added to the do it yourself garden design. Using plants to create structure, layers, and different textures will not only add depth to the garden, it will also make it more cohesive. During plant selection, however, one must consider the plant’s size, growth rate, and required maintenance in order to provide proper spacing and location. Moreover, adorning the garden with features that are not necessarily natural will also give it the extra edge it needs. Berms, overhead structures, patios, fountains, and other items will add glamour to any do it yourself garden design.

The fourth and last step is to think about sustainability and positive environmental impact. These can be achieved by proper water management and the use of resource-efficient plants and green hardscape materials. A deck may not be as high maintenance as a typical garden but a proper deck garden design will still greatly contribute to the protection of natural resources.

Creating gardens that are functional, pleasing, and environmentally sound need not be overly intricate and complicated. When every design idea is put in paper and the design process is followed, completing a do it yourself garden design will not be as costly and time-consuming as others assume it to be.

Author Bio Box: Patricia Wainwright

Get all the facts about gardening for beginners and gardening articles at GreenThumbArticles.com!
Article From GreenThumbArticles.com - Organic Gardening Articles
Submitted on: 2009-11-16 11:26:04
Number Times Read: 708
Word Count: 507
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