Designing and planning a garden can seem daunting at first, but need not be overwhelming. With help, redesign can become a pleasure rather than a chore, with the advice and information gained used to create a garden that is a reflection of your own personal taste and style.
Where to start
Having an idea to redesign a garden is the easy part. Harder is deciding which changes to make and how these can be undertaken.
Begin with the practicalities, such as: will you require a glasshouse, a tool storage area, summerhouse or seating area and which existing features cannot be removed?
It may help first to sketch your existing layout roughly on plain paper; then draw a plan more neatly to scale on squared paper - this is usually simpler and more effective than using computer programmes.
Paying complements
To find inspiration for the overall style, start with the house. If it has a distinctive look, such as a Victorian villa, it is important that the planting complements the building. When the house is plain, there is increased scope to introduce a strong design.
Visit as wide a range of public and private gardens as you can. Leaf through garden magazines and books to see which styles appeal the most, but do not disregard your individual likes and dislikes.
The latest ideas
Flower shows are good sources of inspiration, both for the overall structure and for the planting design. Show gardens rarely fail to stir reactions (positive and otherwise) and help fuel creative thinking. In the floral marquees you can view many different plants in one place while talking to exhibitors about the growing conditions required. Also at shows, information should be readily available detailing where to obtain featured products.
Finding help
If you require the advice and help of a professional designer, many are listed on the Society of Garden Designers’ website or call 01989 566695.
Further garden design articles can be found here
Material assistance
Even a DIY novice can build garden features with the help of magazine articles, advice from books and the how-to leaflets available at DIY stores. The two most important ingredients are enthusiasm and elbow-grease. There are, however, a few skilled jobs such as bricklaying, or those requiring specialised equipment, for which it is more prudent to call in the experts.
To find landscaping materials look through local classified directories for DIY stores and builders’ merchants. Some craftspeople and specialists will also be listed there.
For advice on using stone, visit the Stone Federation of Great Britain website or call 01303 856123.
Sourcing plants
Garden makeovers can stumble when it comes to sourcing all the selected plants. Thankfully, more than 70,000 plants, along with details of where to buy them, are listed in the RHS Plant Finder, available from bookshops, from RHS Mail Order 0845 260 4505, or to access online click here.
If instant cover is required large, specimen plants may be desirable. In the first instance ask local garden centres and nurseries what they have available.
When planning a lawn, buy seed or find turf suppliers through the Turfgrass Growers Association website or call 01728 638726.
Heavy landscaping
Not everyone will want to undertake the transformation themselves. To find a registered landscaper, try either the Association of Professional Landscapers (0118 930 3132) or the British Association of Landscape Industries 0870 770 4971. If you have used a garden designer he or she may well be able to recommend someone.
Electrical installations
Regulations for electrical work have recently changed (2005) and, as a general rule, lighting or other systems that plug into a socket (not wired into the mains) can be installed by homeowners, but other work (particularly in kitchens, bathrooms and outside) must be carried out by a certified electrician. If in any doubt, ring your local authority’s building control department for advice or click here. To find a qualified electrician from the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting click here or call 020 7564 2323.
Leigh Hunt