Does being a nature lover make you a better gardener? Well, not necessarily. However, it might determine the style of garden you finally design. Do you like a lot of turf? Lots of plants? Paved areas? Structures like gazebos or patios?

When you make up your mind to take on the gardening project you can hire a professional landscaper and discuss your requirements with them or just start with some drawings on a piece of paper to determine just how much room you have available. It always helps to have an image of what you want to do. The other advantage of doing a more detailed design plan is that you will avoid mistakes, which will cost money when buying materials and plants.

Here are some handy steps to consider:

Step 1 – Tools you might need

Let’s start with pencil and paper to draw your gardening plan. But in this tech age, you will find software available on the internet. Whichever you choose, getting the design down on paper or on your computer gives you something to follow.

Step 2 – What do you have already in place?

You know what you want in your design but what you want and what you have available might not always match. For example, if you want a large vegetable patch, and you have only a small garden space, it’s not going to happen. Be realistic about your space. Also, if you already have a nice garden feature such as a fishpond, you may want to keep that in your design.

Step 3 – Your Garden Boundaries

Measure the outskirts and plot them on paper or computer. The more accurate the better. Consider this part of your design as the canvas on which you will be working. Doing this by drawing in scale would be a great idea.

Step 4 – Your Theme

This is a fairly critical step because there are so many themes available. You don’t want a hodge podge of different themes. Here’s a few ideas:

• Modern Style. Throw in some stainless steel and sensational paving using limestone or slate. The minimalistic look.
• Traditional. Not really a theme because there are no standout features. Lawn, flower borders and a few trees.
• Creative. Use existing structures already within the garden area. Maybe that old shed can be turned into a kid’s play area. Perhaps add a waterfall feature to the old fishpond.

Step 5 – Your garden features

This is the fun part and also the step that can cost the most. What gardening features do you want? The shape of the lawn, the style of paving, install some decking, create the plant and flower beds, build a patio. Work on ‘exciting’ and ‘beautiful’ for the features.

Step 6 – The Sun

Here’s where you and the environment get closer. Some tips:

• Flowers planted in correct soil type, and in a place where they get the right amount of sun and shade. Read the plant labels, always a good idea.
• Make sure your relaxation area is placed where there is light and shade as well.

Step 7 – Maintenance

If you want a low maintenance garden, then you better have that in your design. Less trees and less plants = less work. Place sheeting or wood chips or whatever is the newfangled weed control membrane in your garden beds.

Step 8 – Getting it done

Make use of these tips and your drawings. It’s guaranteed to make things easier. Walk around the garden area and use your imagination to see how it looks. Consider additional ideas such as making room for a BBQ, installing lighting, adding an area in which you can relax and enjoy your garden.

Step 9 – Your Shopping List

With your design in hand, you can list all the things you will need to make this happen. Do not go into a gardening / hardware type store without a list. That’s a recipe for disaster.