Creating your own garden design
Gardening is a rewarding and therapeutic activity that anyone can enjoy. Whether you have a large outdoor space or a small balcony, there are endless possibilities when it comes to creating a perfect garden design for your Glasgow garden. If you’re new to gardening, the process can seem daunting. Where do you start? What plants should you choose? How do you make sure your garden is low maintenance?
The best thing to do of course, when it comes to getting a good garden design is to consult a professional garden designer. However, here are some tips for making a start yourself if budget dictates.
The size of your garden will have a bearing on what you plan on using the garden space for. If you want to grow vegetables, consider how much space you need to grow enough of them for your own consumption. If you want to plant flowers and shrubs, decide if you want to have a flower bed in the center of the garden or have a more sprawling garden with winding pathways and different flower beds. When thinking about the size of your garden, consider the amount of time and energy you can commit to its maintenance. If you have a small garden, consider installing vertical features that can save space and maximize your planting area. For larger gardens, consider adding pathways that create different areas you can enjoy throughout the garden. No matter the size of your garden, planning it properly will allow you to have a space to enjoy without feeling overwhelmed or stretched for time.
Before you can start on a garden design, you need to determine its orientation and the direction the sun travels across the garden. Even though the sun isn't always shining in Glasgow, clever garden design can exploit every drop of bright weather that we get. Considering the sun position in your garden design is especially important if you plan to plant vegetables, because some vegetables like strong direct sunlight. Consider the orientation of all the flowerbeds in your garden design. Decide how much sun and shade you will get in different areas of the garden. Once you know the direction of the sun relative to the garden, you can start planning which plants to place where. Consider layering plants of varying heights in the direction of the sun. This will provide the most coverage as the sun moves across the garden. The closer you space plants together, the more shade they will create. Consider adding trees, shade cloth or sun sails to block areas of the garden from direct sunlight if necessary. You want to make sure you have the right amount of sun and shade for the plants you choose.
Once you've identified the orientation and sunlight for your Glasgow garden, it is also essential to evaluate the quality of the soil. This is another factor that good garden designers will always consider. Poor soil quality can be challenging to improve but is worth the effort for a healthy garden. Before you plant, grab a handful of your soil in the area where you're planning to build the garden. Check to see if it crumbles into a structure that looks like small balls or clumps of dirt. If not, it could mean that the soil could use some amendments. Accordingly, it is best to test the soil of your garden in order to measure the pH levels and evaluate the quality of the soil in order to determine how to amend it. The soil must be amended in order to improve drainage, add organic material, and regulate pH for ideal plant growth.
Carefully considered drainage is important for well-constructed gardens. As discussed above, soil type and quality dictates how much water is held. Too much water can cause poor plant health. Good drainage can alleviate clogged soil and keep your garden healthy; however, all is not lost if you have boggy, clay soil such as is often found in parts of Glasgow. Adding organic matter can alleviate poor drainage to some extent, and good plant choice can ensure new plants thrive in whatever conditions they have to deal with.
Fertility is an essential component of growing healthy plants. Just as with drainage, soil type and soil quality will dictate how fertile your garden is. Poor quality soil can lead to lifeless, stunted plants with plenty of pests and diseases. The addition of the likes of well-rotted horse manure can work wonders for the fertility of your garden, and can help ensure that your garden design fulfills its potential.
Adding a water feature or pond helps to create a serene atmosphere in your garden, and is the single best thing you can do within your garden design to attract wildlife, whether you are in Glasgow or elsewhere. Water features come in a variety of forms such as fountains, ponds, waterfalls, and streams. If you are looking to create a tranquil setting, adding a water feature could be the right option for you. This is not only a beautiful feature but has practical benefits. Water features can be a great way to encourage wildlife to your garden, like frogs, birds, and butterflies. It can also help to attract beneficial predators to prey on any pests in the garden. Planning out space for a water feature is a great way to add a design element to your garden. When considering a water feature, it is important to think about the other plants in the garden. Make sure there is enough room for the water feature to fit, and plan the plants around the water feature to ensure it is aesthetically pleasing.
Considering attractive pathways in your garden design can be an easy way to add design elements while creating a sense of flow and movement. You can use a variety of materials such as gravel, wood chips, pavers, and even grass. Make sure that the pathways are wide enough for either wheelbarrows or your pets. The pathways don’t just need to be practical, you can also design them to add aesthetic appeal. Bordered pathways are a great way to create a defining structure around your garden. You can also create meandering pathways, winding through your garden, creating a whimsical feel. If you’re not sure how to construct pathways, there are plenty of tutorials on YouTube that will come in handy. So let your creativity flow and create some decorative pathways in your perfect garden design!
Another way to bring beauty and functionality to your garden design is to incorporate garden structures. From sheds to arbors, structures can make your garden appear more organized, and they can also act as useful additions to your outdoor living space. If your Glasgow garden is relatively small, a pergola might be a good solution. It can provide an overhead structure that will protect the garden from direct sunlight. It can also be used to support climbing vines that can add shade and beauty simultaneously. For larger gardens in Glasgow, you may want to consider adding a gazebo, which acts as a great focal point for your garden and a perfect spot to relax under. You can also use it to showcase your blooms and to create a unique form of garden lighting. Additionally, you can build benches, trellises, and arbors to increase the functionality of your garden. Structures aren’t just great for visual appeal, they can also act as an efficient way to contain climbing plants, while also providing a spot for you to stop and enjoy your work. All in all, garden structures can truly transform your outdoor space and make it a unique place to relax and unwind.
Once the structures and decorations are in place in your garden, it is time to think about planting–and boy, is there a lot to consider here. The plants are the single most important aspect of your garden design - perhaps this is a stage to get a garden designer involved to draw you up a planting plan. What kind of plants will you use in your garden? Will they be annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, edibles, or something else? What kind of colour will you incorporate with your plants? Not only does what you plant affect the overall look of your garden, but other factors like climate, soil condition, and sun exposure can make or break your garden choices. Start by learning some basic plant biology, then explore local resources such as nurseries and gardening books. Once you know what you want to plant, it’s time to get digging. This is the part of gardening that takes the most time and effort, but you’ll feel more than satisfied once you’re done. Planting correctly and watering properly can have a major impact on the beauty, health, and lifespan of your plants. To maximize the potential of your garden, consider grouping plants according to physical similarities and sun preference. This will ensure that all of your plants can share the same environment rather than competing for resources. And as a bonus, groupings like this often look better too.