When I was little, I loved the story of The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. To be clear, I still do. Imagine stumbling into a hidden world teeming with untapped potential, raw beauty and a bit of magic - a forgotten place begging to be remembered. Begging to be re-membered.
Then somehow, while heeding its call and working hard to put the pieces back together, you discover: it's you being mended.
I may not have discovered any secret gardens to note, but I’ve been touched by the garden’s magic none-the-less.
It’s easy to think such an experience doesn’t apply to you. You’re too busy, too broke, or have too big a black thumb…
But gardens, they’re for everyone.
A garden is more than a pretty backdrop for those with big budgets. They are places of refuge, pictures of hope, a tiny piece of paradise that point to something bigger.
They don’t need to be big or grand to be filled with beauty and meaning.
And you don’t need to be a magician or a landscape architect to create the garden of your dreams.
All that’s required is a bit of hope, a plan and some commitment.
We’re here to help you get started. Which, by the way. is always the hardest part (the starting).
If you dare to dream, here are some questions to guide your thinking and planning. This post will be the first in a series of How to Start a Garden. I've also started a YouTube channel to document my own DIY garden design process; I hope you'll join me on the journey.
So grab a notebook, perhaps a cup of tea, and let’s get started…
What do you want?
Imagine Your Dream Garden
Close your eyes (I know - feels a little woo woo - do it anyway). Let your imagination run wild...
Make a list -
What pops into your head:
Flowers?
Roasting s'mores around a fire pit?
Harvesting veggies from raised beds?
Dining Al fresco?
Coffee walks through winding paths?
Jot it all down. Don't edit your thoughts...
What do you need?
List the non negotiables
Cut flowers (duh.)
Space for dogs to run?
A place for kids to play?
Bird-watching..
Identify the pain points -
A need for more privacy?
Standing water/stormwater solution?
Additional parking?
Limited time... low-maintenance plantings?
Budget-friendly?
What do you have?
Confirm your gardening zone
Determine your garden's spacial orientation (N / E / S/ W)
Understand your lighting conditions
Download the Sunseeker App to help identify hours of sunlight available at different times of the year.
What areas get full sun (6+ hours of sun)? Partial Sun (4-6 hours)? Partial Shade (2-4) Full Shade (less than 2 hours of sun)?
Keep in mind that not all sun is created equal
North facing - shady, cooler light
East facing - gentle morning light
South facing - bright and sunny
West facing - intense, hottest sun
Get a soil test
These are usually available at your county extension office and will help you identify soil pH and nutrient levels
What kind of soil structure do you have: sand? clay? silt?
Observe what are you working with
Existing trees?
Grading/elevation?
Wind/exposure
Views you want to accentuate / screen?
Identify moisture conditions
Are there areas with standing water?
Dry areas?
Do you have irrigation?
Where is access to water?
What do you like?
What’s your style?
More on this soon, but for now, do any of these descriptors speak to you?
Cottage garden?
Formal landscape?
Micro-farm?
Native plantings?
Meadow?
Woodland?
What colors are you drawn to?
Start a Pinterest board collecting inspiration
If you've overcome the overwhelm and taken this first step, congrats! Keep taking a step at a time... it’s not as scary as it seems, and a hugely rewarding process.
More to come soon, so stay tuned.
If this post has been helpful to you, drop a comment below. If dreaming and planning isn’t your jam, book a garden consult today; we'd love to offer additional support.
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