How to Design a Garden - Plotting it on Paper

There are many computerized design tools availableabout getting things perfect the first time, as this is only
today. To the technologically savvy gardener, thesea draft.
tools are a blessing. Those who aren't comfortableOnce your garden outline is ready, it's time to get
with such tools, on the other hand, can work just asspecific. Plot out your gardening beds, compost bins,
well with a pen and some paper. If you're not sureand other necessary spaces onto your paper. Use a
how to design a garden, this is the best way to start.pencil so that it's easy to make corrections. Here are
Learning how to design a garden on paper is not assome tips you can keep in mind:
complicated as most people think. Before you begin,- As a gardener, do not be afraid to think out of the
you'll need some pencils and graphing paper. Thesebox, literally. Remember that gardens don't necessarily
tools can be easily acquired from your local officehave to be square or rectangular. Your garden can be
supply store. The graphing paper is an importantany shape you want! If you stick you the traditional
choice because it allows you to easily plot a garden togarden shapes, you can end up compromising space
scale. After all, you won't need to spend much timefor aesthetics.
drawing straight lines.- If the only space you have is a small triangular or
When you've gathered your tools, note down thecircular patch of land, use it the best way you can. The
space of your garden. Find out how long theimportant thing is that the size of your beds are
boundaries are, the width of your garden, and its length.contained enough that so that you can still tend to it as
If you have access to your house plans or blueprints, itwell as you would regular shaped beds.
might help to use them as your reference. If not, you- When plotting out your garden, keep the tallest plants
can use a tape measure to know the dimensions ofand those that will need trellises at the north or
your garden.northeast side your garden. This will help ensure that
Now it's time to plot your garden on paper. Mostthe taller vegetables do not shade the other plants as
gardeners observe the rule that one foot in the gardenthey continue to grow. Now that you know how to
translates to one inch on the graphing paper. Thosedesign a garden, you have no excuse to put it off. It's
who use the metric system can have one meter equalreally easy to do if you have the right tools and know
to three or four centimeters on paper. Don't worryhow to use them.