A.J.

Author: Saleem Rana

Deciding on the type of garden you wish to grow will depend on a number of factors. You will need to take all sorts of issues in to consideration when deciding on the nature of your garden. For instance, how much room do you have to create your garden? If you live in a house with a large yard and plenty of room to devote to your plants, the type of garden you grow will be very different from the garden of someone who lives in an apartment with only a window box or small balcony for their plants.

What zone do you live in? Throughout America, there are different temperate zones which will give you a guide to the type of plants that will do well in various areas. Study your zone and select plants for your area.

How much time do you have to plant the garden and devote to it? If you are planning a garden for long enjoyment and to watch grow over the years, you have plenty of time. But perhaps you are getting your house ready to sell and want to plant a new garden to enhance your chances of a good sale. If so you don't have a lot of time. Also you may only be able to devote a small amount of time to your garden once it is planted. If so you need to investigate planning and planting a low maintenance garden, rather than one that needs constant care.

What about the soil in your garden? Is it full of clay or lime or sand? Is it rich in nutrients for your plants? Will you need to attend to the soil first before you start planting? Investigate your soil type and see what varieties of plants grow best in that soil.

Do you live in a drought-stricken area or is there plenty of rain about? Knowing your area's water restrictions will also help in the planning of your garden and how to maintain it.

What types of plants are you interested in growing? Perhaps you want a native garden, showing off only plants natural to your area. Or maybe you want a cottage garden or a rose garden. Perhaps you want a more practical garden, one that grows herbs and vegetables. Deciding on the type of plants you want is exciting. Planning your garden well will lead to results that you want, whether it is a riot of color or gentle greens all year round.

All these points must be taken into consideration when deciding on the type of garden you want. If you are thorough with your investigation of your soil and planning of your garden layout, you will enjoy the end result much more than if you just throw any old seeds in to the dirt and hope for the best.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/gardenin...rs-202373.html

A.J.

Author: Neil Parnham

Many of us flip through garden magazines, all the while thinking that it takes years, a professional, or tons of money to landscape the gardens featured in the glossy pictures. This isnt necessarily true. You can design a breathtaking garden and be the envy of the neighborhood by following some of the following tips.

Know What You Like and What Works
Drive around your neighborhood and see whats out there that grows well in your zone. You can jot down what you see on index cards, so they are organized and handy. Start gathering page clippings from magazines and collect some pictures of the designs that interest you. This can help you decide what garden style you like. Youll have an easy reference for plants and placement too.

Select Location and Color
Next, look at your notes and clippings and choose the color scheme youd like to have in your garden. Don't forget to keep in mind if youre designing and planting in shade, sun, or partial shade or partial sun. Are you looking for something bright and vibrant or something more calming and soothing? Consider starting with a foundation of shrubs and accenting with some perennials, bulbs, ornamental grasses, and annuals for more seasonal color.

Perhaps, you want all flowers. Decide on a shape that compliments your house style. Straight styles give a more formal appearance while curves give a more informal feel. If you dont feel confident selecting colors, you can use a color wheel to help pick contrasting and complimenting colors.

Budget and Create a Plan
Decide how much you are able to and want to spend on your new garden. Do you want to start with a foundation and add to it gradually? If so, start with purchasing your most expensive plants and shrubs first. Use these as a focal point for your garden. Start watching for sales and discount plants at garden centers and nurseries. Tell everyone you know that youre starting a garden and would love it if they could give you divisions of their perennials or seeds they have saved from their garden. Let family and friends know that you have a wish list of plants that would be the perfect gift idea.

If you have access online, do a search for seed swaps. Many gardeners love to help a new gardener. Many are willing to send seeds for the cost of postage or will trade for something else that you may have that they are looking for. A great resource for free items is free cycle Look for a group in your area, join the group, and post letting the group know that you would be interested in garden plants and seeds.

You may get lucky and find that a member of the group has already offered some plants up for grabs. Dont forget to ask your local garden club when they are having their sales too. You can also start some plants from seed yourself. Many seeds are very easy to direct sow and a little can go a long way.

Heres a partial list of easy to grow seeds:

Candytuft, Asters, 4oclocks ,Sunflowers ,Pansies ,Violas ,Impatiens ,Dianthus ,Larkspur ,Salvia ,Cupid's Dart ,Morning Glories ,Moonflowers ,Zinnias ,Calendula ,Marigold ,Cosmos ,Sweet Alyssum ,Bee Balm ,Poppies ,Nasturtium

Dont forget if you decide to sow into containers, there are many inexpensive containers such as yogurt containers, milk jugs, egg cartons, and plastic ice cream buckets. You can also call your city and see if they have free mulch available. Dont hesitate to strike up conversations with your neighbors while youre out for a walk. You never know, the topic of gardening may come up and they might be more than happy to offer you some seeds or divisions.

Design Away
Now youre ready to design. You can sketch out your idea beforehand. Keep the following in mind as you design.

Scale- Judge the size of the area and choose plants that arent going to be too large, too wide, or too small for the area. Keep in mind the plants size when its met its mature growth.

Balance-Dont place your plants where one area is too compacted with plants and another area is too airy. Try and achieve a good balance of small, medium, and large plants. Balance offers visual stability. It can be created with space between plantings or the visual weight of your design. This can be created with lines so that your garden is pleasing to look at from all angles.

Focal Point- Your focal point will be the area that your eye is drawn to first. This can be your prized flowers, tree, or shrub.

Rhythm- This is visual flow. The eye wanders throughout the entire garden design, but comes back to the focal point. It can be achieved with repetition and contrast.

Harmony-Unity- This is when plants have a way of appearing connected and a part of one another. This can be achieved with color, texture, groupings. Unity is lost when your plants look too separate or your color choice makes one plant look lost amongst the rest.

Color- Color impacts the entire design process. Use a color wheel if you dont feel confident selecting colors that go well together.

If all of this is too confusing and overwhelming, check out some garden catalogs. Many have suggested designs. Its also best to place your containers out and arrange and rearrange where you want to plant them before you start digging.

Accessorize (homemade garden art)
To add some interest and whimsy to your garden, consider some homemade items or trash to treasure works of art. Ideas such as making your own stepping stones, garden markers, terra cotta bird baths or toad houses, painted rocks and pavers, and fun wind chimes are simple projects that can add a lot of interest to your garden area. Look around for unique items you could add to your garden such as milk cans, wooden chairs, ladders, tricycles, wagons, trunks, roofing shingles, mailboxes, or even dressers. The sky is the limit on what you can create. Use your imagination.

There you have it and you didnt have to hire a pro, spend thousands of dollars, or take years to achieve a pretty garden. You wont be a new gardener for long. Soon, it will be you sharing starts, cuttings, seeds, divisions, and tips.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/gardenin...et-198505.html