Warning: include(/inc/contactdetails.php) [function.include]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/myho/public_html/garden-design/pre-design/characteristics.php on line 15
Warning: include() [function.include]: Failed opening '/inc/contactdetails.php' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/lib/php:/usr/local/lib/php') in /home/myho/public_html/garden-design/pre-design/characteristics.php on line 15
You may discover hidden treasures in amongst the builder’s rubble and weeds.
Having chosen the elements that you would like to include in your garden, you will need to assess the plot itself. We would recommend that if you have only just moved into your property, you should give yourself 12 months to observe the garden at different times of the year.
It is important to understand the characteristics of your plot of land as these are likely to influence your final design
We would recommend that you draw up a simple garden sketch plan (see sample) of your existing layout and note, in particular, features that you would like to keep.
Existing Plants
You will need to decide which of your existing plants you would like to retain including bushes and trees. If it’s your first year in your garden, you may be unaware of the position and species of many of your plants - clematis and hardy hibiscus look like old sticks until they start growing. You can add things to your plan as they develop.
Notice which bulbs come up in the spring and if they are in the right place. Also look out for summer bulbs such as alliums which may unexpectedly appear.
Spring is a favourite time of the year for many gardeners as bulbs start to show.
Be aware of branches of trees that have grown too large and are cutting out light as this will stunt the growth of other plants. Removing or cutting back a few branches could have a dramatic impact on the overall light levels in your garden. Also note where your neighbour’s trees cast shade into your garden.
You may wish to consider completely removing some trees and replacing them with something more suitable.
Make a note on your plan of all the plants you would like to keep, even if they need to be relocated.
The advantage of allowing yourself time to observe your garden is that you will be able to determine how the plants look throughout the year as, even without flowers, many will have wonderfully coloured leaves.
Soil Type
Find out what your soil type is as this will help to determine which plants are suitable for your plot.
It is likely to be one of the following...
Clay
This is difficult to work and clogs into sticky mud when wet. It is hard for air, water and plant roots to move through the soil and blue or grey clays have poor aeration. With lots of organic matter added, it will become workable and more nutritious than many other soils.
Sandy
This is light, easy to work and drains easily but retains very little in the way of water, fertilizers or nutrients which means they can be extremely poor. They are prone to summer dehydration, and can only be revitalized by the addition of organic matter.
Loam
This is dark and sweet smelling, crumbles in the fingers and holds water well. Considered to be the perfect soil, it is a mixture of sand, silt and clay. Mix variations of loam can range from easily workable fertile soils full of organic matter, to densely packed sod. They drain well, yet retain moisture and are nutrient rich, making them ideal for gardens.
Chalky
Chalk is a solid, soft rock which breaks down easily. It is very free draining, and chalky soils hold little water and dry out easily. Chalky soils are fertile, but many of the nutrients are not available to plants because of the high alkalinity of the soil.
Peat
These are rich in plant foods provided they are not too acid and have effective sub drainage. Converting existing soil into a peat type soil is achieved by adding large amounts of organic matter. You must avoid making your soil too acid though, and careful choice of organic matter is needed.
Silty
Silty soil is considered to be among the most fertile of soils. Silt is often found in river estuaries, because the fine particles are washed downstream and deposited when the water flows more slowly. It too holds a lot of water, but the slightly larger particles make it a little better at draining than clay.
Soil-testing kits are inexpensive and available from most garden centres.
It is also worth testing the pH of your soil to check it’s degree of acidity/alkalinity as some plants are more suited to each type. The range is generally from around 5 (acidic) to 8 (alkaline) with 6.5 being neutral. Be aware that the value can vary within your garden.
Orientation/Shade
Mark on your plan which way the garden faces.
Stand in the garden at various times of day and look at the position of the sun. Make a note of where the sun shines for most of the day and which parts get the sun in the morning and afternoon only.
Design to make the most of the sun, shade and privacy – for example, decide if you want the patio in full sun and think about what you want to have in view of the house.
Think about planting as some plants thrive more in sunny or shaded areas.
Buildings
Replacing building can be expensive – you may be better off repairing and refurbishing.
Make a note of any existing building structures including the house on your plan. Mark on the plan existing doors and windows.
It is a good idea to try and get your sketch more or less to scale to give you a better idea of the overall plot size.
Also show any sheds, greenhouses, garages or other building that you wish to retain or relocate.
Existing features
Mark on your plan the boundary positions and any fences, screening, walls and hedges.
Try and ascertain which are the boundaries that are your responsibility and which are your neghbours as you will need to liaise with them if you plan to change any boundary treatments.
Mark on your plan any other features such as ponds, rockeries, paths, patios, raised beds, etc that you like and wish to keep.
It is always a good idea to look at the garden from the house and see where the eyesores are that may need to removed or screened.
Levels/Slope
Having different levels in a garden can create interest and help divide one area from another.
It can be very expensive to drastically change the existing levels of your garden so think about how the existing contours can be used. Consider if you want to or have budget to carry out extensive relevelling which may involve the construction of retaining walls.
Show on your plan where the ground level alters and measure the width of existing steps. Measuring the exact rise and fall of the ground can be difficult but generally having an idea of the direction of slope should suffice. Walls can help to measure slope variations.
Drainage
Determine if your garden is wet or dry. Draining your garden could be expensive so you may opt for a bog garden where specialist plants will thrive.
Make a note of any gulleys or existing manhole covers that will need to be kept.
Climate
Think about your local climate and how this will influence your design. For example, windy and exposed sites are not conducive to flimsy delicate plants which should either be avoided or well screened.
On wet and windy days, try and assess if there are certain areas of your garden that feel more exposed than others.