On Thursday, 31 January 2013 13:50:59 UTC, mogga wrote:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007...n-how-to-enter



This is a competition to design a family-friendly garden, based on an

8m x 8m flat site, which may be viewed by visitors from 2 or 3 sides.

A backdrop should be considered. It may include an area of excavation

but it should be no deeper than 0.5m.





I've never designed a garden, so where on earth do you start?

--

http://www.voucherfreebies.co.uk
Oh dear this is going to be another one of my sermons ;~((
For myself - never on paper, at least not in the first instance.
Look at the site - *really look*. Soil type/types, drainage, pH, aspect/potential microclimates, shade/shelter, nearby landscape you might be able to incorporate into the garden, manmade objects you may wish to screen or include, anything worthwhile already on site - manmade or plants that you may ormay not be able to see atm (better to observe the site over a full season if poss.)
Then what do you need in the way of access, paths, patios etc, compost heaps, sheds etc.
Now how much time do you have or want to spend on maintenance especially with respect to time hungry tasks like mowing, hedges etc - keep that low and give more time for the pleasure fun thing with plants etc and time to enjoy being in this lovely place you've made.
At this stage you probably would start thinking about making a budget around these basic thoughts so you don't start something you can't afford to finish or something you run out of steam on before it's complete
*But* if it's going to be a good garden it never will be complete, things grow and change, mistakes are inevitable and this is where almost all paper planned gardens fail.
All that sounds a lot but it won't take too long and will save time and money and lead to a better outcome.
Now get your wellies on and your wallet ready.
This probably isn't much help for the totally artificial task set by the competition but it's not a bad way to start making a real garden.

Rod