Landscaping your garden is an exciting project to start because the possibilities are almost endless! Do you want to create a family-friendly space where your children can play? Or perhaps you want to create a social spot complete with a bar and outdoor cooking area?
Whatever your dream garden design, before you can get started, you need to spend a little time on the design and on preparing your garden for landscaping.
The design
Before you get started on your garden, it’s important to have a really good idea of the design in your mind. If possible, it’s a good idea to get started on your garden design early in the year. That way, it will be ready in time for summer. Some things to consider are:
- Are there any issues with your current garden design that you want to resolve? Things like lack of privacy, for example.
- Are you staying in your home for a long time, or are you likely to be moving? If you’re likely to be moving, it’s a good idea to focus on plants that will bloom quickly, so you can see the benefit.
- Is there anything you like in your current garden that you would like to keep?
- Are there are any problems that will need to be addressed – for example, areas with poor drainage or areas with a lot of rock.
Pinterest is a great place to go for inspiration for your garden design. You can also gain a lot of insights simply by talking about it with family and friends; they will surprise you with their ideas!
Setting a budget
Once you have an idea of what kind of garden you would like, spend some time understanding how much things like landscape materials will cost so that you can set a realistic budget. You should also budget for things like any tradesmen you will need to hire.
Remember that your time comes with a cost too! Try to estimate how long you’ll be happy to spend on the garden before it impacts you too much.
Clear the site
Clearing your garden of things like weeds and rocks is an essential part of landscaping preparation. Weeds and rocks will prevent you from being able to plant new flower beds or vegetables, and they will also get in the way of any larger works such as installing decking.
Pulling up weeds can be easier when the ground is wet, so it can be worth getting started once it has rained, or even using a hose to wet the ground yourself. You may need to consider hiring a skip as part of this process, particularly if there is a lot of rubble in your garden.
Leveling the ground
If you’re going to be creating an outdoor seating area or patio, then a level ground is essential. Likewise, if you want a successful flower bed, then you’ll also need a flat surface to ensure that it drains evenly.
If you have a small garden, then you can level it yourself using a rake to break up the large bits of soil that are making the ground uneven. However, if you have a larger garden or your garden is on a significant slope, then you may need to consider hiring professional help.
Once the ground is level, you can get started on the landscaping!
