How do you begin to create a garden space that is unique to you? Here are ten simple steps that will help you move effortlessly through the process.

1. Identify WHY you want a garden.
How will you use it? Who else will enjoy the garden? Remember that you may not be the sole inhabitant, so get input from all family members on how your outdoor space will be used.

2. Do a little dreaming.
Now that you know why you want a garden and how you intend to use it, let your imagination play with all the possible features in your special space. A little dreaming will uncover those attributes that will put your personal imprint on the garden.

Also decide whether you want a formal or an informal garden. Formal gardens are highly structured, divided by a strong central axis and cross axes. Informal gardens have a more natural look with strong, flowing curves.

3. Make a list of “must haves”.
What items are essential? Listing your needs up front ensures that your final plan won’t be missing anything important. Do you need a retaining wall? A privacy fence? A path to the garage? More parking space? Do children need a place to play? What about pets?

Walk around your property and make note of everything that is essential. Your final design should balance dream features and “must haves” to create a satisfying and functional space.

4. Evaluate what you already have.
To get where you are going, it helps to know your starting point. Is your space large or small? Is the site flat or sloping? What is the climate? What type of soil do you have? How much water is available and from what sources? What are the predominate views?

5. Ballpark your budget.
Once you know what you want and what you need, it’s time to consider what you are willing to spend. This dollar figure will influence what features you include in the final garden plan — trees, plants, hardscape materials and architectural elements such as arbors, fountains, ponds and benches.

Remember that your “budget” comprises two elements: money and TIME. In terms of time, does the garden need to be finished by a certain date or can you create it over time? (Speed costs!) Also, how much time are you willing to budget to maintain your dream garden? Can you spare several hours a week or are you lucky enough to afford a caretaker?

As you develop and refine your plan, you may need to balance time and cash costs. Be flexible. You may need to spend more time if you can’t spend more money and vice versa.

6. Identify your garden’s focal points.
Every garden needs an eye-catching spot that causes you to pause a moment. When you choose a focal point, you are choosing the direction you want visitors to look when they enter your garden. Did your list of “wants” include a waterfall or fountain? An arbor retreat? A blossoming apple tree? If so, you are well on your way to identifying a focal point — or points — for your garden.

7. Create a rough design.
Take all the information that you’ve gathered and incorporate it into a workable design that balances the “wants” with the “must haves”. Your goal is to create a space that is both satisfying and functional.

Buy a pad of graph paper that contains 8 or 10 squares per inch and let each square equal one foot. (In other words, every inch on the paper will equate to 8 or 10 feet on your property.) Create a basic map with your property lines and house drawn to scale.

You will also need tracing paper, markers, a tape measure, a ruler, a pencil and a good eraser. Lay the tracing paper over your basic scaled map. Then refer back to your list of “must haves” and “wants” as you sketch the various areas of your garden. Show the approximate position of focal points, activity areas (“rooms”) and pathways. Use as many sheets of tracing paper as necessary until you find a layout that pleases you and meets the goal that you identified in Step 1.

8. Choose your plants and hardscape.
The colors and materials that you choose will create the character of your garden, adding interest, movement and visual appeal. Do you want harmonious colors or strong contrast? Warm hues or cool tones? Bold colors or soft hues? Mixing different colors and materials and textures will give your garden a strong sense of space.

Plants comprise a significant part of your garden. In addition to plants, hardscape materials contribute variety and texture — wood arbors, brick borders, gravel paths, bronze statuary, and wrought-iron benches.

As you review your preliminary layout, consider the best material for each of the hardscape elements. Keep in mind that each element needs to fit with and compliment the whole. For example, a terrace constructed of the same material as the house unifies while railroad ties around a formal garden create discord.

9. Make a scale drawing.
Thus far, you have created a basic map of property lines and your house as well as an overlay sheet that shows focal points, “rooms” and pathways. You also have a list of the trees, shrubs and plants for each area of your garden. Now you need to create a scale drawing that shows EXACTLY where each feature will go. You will use this blueprint to lay the walkways, set the arbors and trellises, and plant the trees, shrubs and flowers.

It is important that you have enough information to help you create in reality the garden that you just designed on paper. As long as your scale drawing or blueprint is in sufficient scale to accomplish that purpose, you will be successful.

10. Execute your plan.
Before you begin actual construction of the garden, check all local building codes and regulations to make sure that you will be in compliance. Structures such as decks, patios and retaining walls may require a permit from the local city government. Once all permits are in place, you can start to lay out the garden.

With your scale drawing as a blueprint, use a tape measure to position all structures, walkways and plants. Be sure to measure accurately so each element in your design fits its assigned space.

If designing a garden space sounds a bit intimidating, don’t panic. Just follow these steps one by one and let a space unfold that feels right to you. You CAN do it. After all, a successful garden is just another room of your house, which you’ve already successfully decorated!

Most vegetables need between 6 and 8 hours of sunlight,quick growers like lettuce and radish can be grown between the rows of plants that take longer to mature, like beet or corn, thus making full use of the area available.

Throughout dry periods, vegetable gardens need extra watering. Most vegetables benefit from an inch or more of water each week, especially when they are fruiting.

During the growing season watch for insects that will eat up your crops and kill plants. If you discover a bug problem early it will be a lot easier to get rid of them, but be careful not to use pesticides once the vegetable are close to being picked unless it becomes absolutely necessary. Organic gardening is one healthy and environment-friendly option. Once you have reaped your crop, put the vegetable waste into your compost pile so that it can be recycled for next spring.
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It is important to protect your vegetable garden from wild animals looking for a tasty treat. Make sure your garden is surrounded by a fence that will keep out dogs, rabbits, and other animals. The harm done by wandering animals during one season can equal the cost of a fence. A fence also can serve as a frame for peas, beans, tomatoes, and other crops that need support.

All of this work will be payed back 10 fold with a season full of delicious and healthy veggies and fruits!

Maintaining a flower garden is even easier than planting one. Although they might make it on their own, a bag of fertilizer applied in the early spring is a good idea. Pinch back any blooms after they start to fade and keep them good and watered. To save yourself work during the next season of flower gardening, rid your garden of all debris and spread out organic nutrients like peat moss or compost. Don’t forget to turn over the soil to properly mix in the fertilizer and rake smooth when finished. If you have perennials planted be careful not to disturb their roots in this process.

Flowers are a great way to spruce up a plain area around your house, give you wonderful and relaxing hobby, and even allow you to have fresh flowers in your home each week! With a little work and planning, you can have a gorgeous yard that most would be envious of!

Typically, when people start planting their garden, they start with flowers. In addition, most people will pursue planting roses. The novice garden does not realize that roses usually take the most time and effort as compared to other flowers. With such an enormous array of flowers to choose from, it is best for the novice to start of with easy care plants and flowers.

Vegetable gardens have become quite popular too. A vegetable garden can bring a sense of pride and accomplishment when you place those fresh vegetables on your dinner table. The list of vegetable plants is endless, therefore when planning your vegetable garden choose the right vegetable for your growing climate. For instance, cool weather crops would be green beans, zucchini, and cucumbers.

Many gardeners will consider planting fruits as well. In a warm climate, you could plant watermelons, and trees such as apricots and peaches. A berry garden is also fun, planting strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. These types of berry gardens are easy to care for and take less space than a traditional vegetable garden.

Herbs are another favorite for the home garden. If you have limited space, you can grow your herbs indoors in a sunny window. The most often used herbs for cooking are basil, thyme, oregano, parsley, and cilantro. These herbs are easy to grow too.

Landscaping your yard is another form of gardening. There are different types of grasses and shrubbery to decorate your yard. Decorative rocks, ponds, and statues are also included as a form of landscape gardening. Landscaping your yard is not limited to plant life. As with a garden, your lawn and shrubbery need upkeep.

As mentioned earlier, gardening can be fun and educational for the whole family. In addition, what a delight to see the flowers bloom and harvest the vegetables. However, as with anything else, to be a successful home gardener takes work. Plants need to be weeded and watered. Do not get discouraged if the flowers are not as brilliant as expected or the beans did not do so well. Research the plant in question and then try again next planting season, eventually you will have a wonderful garden.

• Help her bloom this Mothers Day by giving her a beautiful woven canvas gardening tote filled with everything she’ll love and adore as the flowers grow to share their beauty
• This wonderful garden gift includes, garden tools, garden gloves, floral seeds, and so much more!
• This is a wonderful Mother’s Day gift, birthday gift, or Christmas gift for her
• Include a free personalized gift message for your clients, friends, and loved ones

Help her bloom this Mother’s Day by giving her a beautiful woven canvas gardening tote filled with everything she’ll love and adore as the flowers grow to share their beauty. Includes: Canvas gardening tote with 3 gardening tools, gardening gloves, gardening hand towel, 2 packets of floral seeds, fingernail bristle brush, moisturizing hand and body wash, green herbal tea, green tea potpourri, Mrs. Vickie’s Chips, Honey wheat dipping pretzels, chocolate truffle cookies, foam knee pad, ceramic gardening sign and a seed starter greenhouse.

• Help her bloom this Mothers Day by giving her a beautiful woven canvas gardening tote filled with everything she’ll love and adore as the flowers grow to share their beauty
• This wonderful garden gift includes, garden tools, garden gloves, floral seeds, and so much more!
• This is a wonderful Mother’s Day gift, birthday gift, or Christmas gift for her
• Include a free personalized gift message for your clients, friends, and loved ones

Help her bloom this Mother’s Day by giving her a beautiful woven canvas gardening tote filled with everything she’ll love and adore as the flowers grow to share their beauty. Includes: Canvas gardening tote with 3 gardening tools, gardening gloves, gardening hand towel, 2 packets of floral seeds, fingernail bristle brush, moisturizing hand and body wash, green herbal tea, green tea potpourri, Mrs. Vickie’s Chips, Honey wheat dipping pretzels, chocolate truffle cookies, foam knee pad, ceramic gardening sign and a seed starter greenhouse.

• Includes: Nylon tote, 5 gardening tools, misting water bottle, and a pair of gloves.
• Tote is 8 1/2″H X 7″W. (A #6 pot will fit inside).
• Khaki Striped coloring.
• Sorry, plant not included.

Gardening Tote of Tools
Finally, a great gardening tool set for the indoor or container gardener. This Tote and Tool set are the perfect size for someone who appreciates the little things in life!
The sturdy canvas tote has 7 tool pockets with elastic tool bands. The tote is roomy enough to hold all those extras like gloves and fertilizers. The five quality tools have wooden handles and comfort grips.

Includes: Nylon tote, 5 gardening tools, misting water bottle, and a pair of gloves.
Tote is 8 1/2″H X 7″W. (A #6 pot will fit inside).
Sorry, plant not included.
Khaki Striped coloring.

• They are sure to dig this colorful collection of gardening essentials, luxuries, spa gifts, sweets and more in this designer gardening tote!
• The Perfect gift for the gardener on your list!
• Great office gift basket, baby shower gift basket, Birthday gift basket, or Christmas gift basket
• Include a free personalized gift message for your clients, friends, and loved ones.
• This gardening gift basket includes: a deluxe garden tote filled with a knee cushion, matching 4 pocket garden apron, 3 gardening tools (transplanter, fork and cultivator), a pair of coated gardening gloves, garden hand salve, garden barrier cream, garden hand scrub, 3 plush keepsake flowers with cute little faces and bendy stems to hang onto any surface (very cute!), assorted fruit flavored Bon Bons, Sunny Seed Drops (colorful candy coated chocolate sunflower seeds), Swiss Petite Fruit, Lemon Straw cookies, and delicious Key Lime Straw Cookies. WOW!

They are sure to dig this colorful collection of gardening essentials, luxuries, spa gifts, sweets and more in this designer gardening tote!

A smile will surly be planted on their face when they receive this large collection of gifts! This beautiful arrangement includes a deluxe garden tote filled with a knee cushion, matching 4 pocket garden apron, 3 gardening tools (transplanter, fork and cultivator), a pair of coated gardening gloves, garden hand salve, garden barrier cream, garden hand scrub, 3 plush keepsake flowers with cute little faces and bendy stems to hang onto any surface (very cute!), assorted fruit flavored Bon Bons, Sunny Seed Drops (colorful candy coated chocolate sunflower seeds), Swiss Petite Fruit, Lemon Straw cookies, and delicious Key Lime Straw Cookies! What a garden of delights! This gardening gift basket is guaranteed to please. Made by an organization that has been making award-winning gifts for decades. Include a free personalized gift message at checkout for your clients, friends, or loved ones!

• A practical, easy-to-understand guide to adding both still (ponds) and moving (waterfalls and streams) water features to any garden.

• Includes complete, easy-to-follow instructions on designing, establishing, and caring for a variety of eye-pleasing water projects.

• More than 220 vivid photographs and illustrations, plus detailed instructions, make this guide a must-have for garden enthusiasts looking to plan and build a water feature.

• Expert advice on selecting the right fish and plants for embellishing any backyard aquatic paradise.

• Solution-based format will inspire you to confidently create water havens in your own yard.

Find More Water Gardens And Ponds Products

• Monterey LG 6500 SLUGGO Slug & Snail Killer – 2.5lbs
• MONTEREY LAWN & GARDEN PROD

Sluggo Snail & Slug Killer Effective & Environmentally Friendly SLUGGO is a unique blend of iron phosphate and bait additives. The bait not ingested will biodegrade and become a beneficial addition to your gardens soil After eating the bait, slugs and snails stop feeding, become less mobile and will die within three to six days. This physiological effect gives immediate protection to plants even though the slugs and snails may remain in the area. Dead slugs and snails may not be visible because they often crawl off to a secluded place to die. The bait can be scattered on the lawn or on the soil around vegetables, flowers, fruit trees, or bushes to be protected. Attracts slugs and snails out of their hiding places Effective against a wide variety of Snail & Slugs Non-toxic product – Not Based on Metaldehyde. Remains effective after rainstorms Safe to use around wildlife, pets, children 10 Lb. bottle with shaker top Covers 10,000 Sq. Ft Ships Quickly! This product cannot be shipped to PR