"Rod" wrote

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?


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.


And you need to know how old the "family" is, for example young children
might make a pond unwise or they might like a sandpit, Dad might have
hobbies and need a decent sized shed, Mum/Dad might like to sunbath or are
BBQ people. You really need input from the family as to their needs before
starting to design something for them.
--
Regards. Bob Hobden.
Posted to this Newsgroup from the W of London, UK