A garden base map will help you understand the potential of the plants you bring into the garden
Understanding the environmental conditions of your site is fundamental to your gardens long term success. The starting point for any design process that you undertake should be a site assessment to give you an idea of your gardens micro climates, surface drainage and soil conditions. Although some plant loss is an inevitable part of the gardening process, you want to give yourself the best chance to succeed. Knowing the existing conditions enables you to be more creative and confident with your plant choices.
-Garden base plan Instructions-
Draw yourself a scaled plan of the space you are designing. Use grid paper and a tape measure to do this. Include:
• property boundaries
• buildings and fences
• trees and vegetation (to be retained)
• pathways and movement patterns
• decks and lawns
• infrastructure you believe exists (gas/water/power)
• surrounding wilderness corridors
When this drawing is finished, make some photocopies. Another option is to engage a designer to make this base map for you. Contact Working collaboratively with a designer is an excellent way to bring knowledge into the process, learn about garden design and end up with the design you want.
In coming days, I am going to adding blogs about the various layers you will need to have on your site assessment including sunlight assessment, drainage mapping, soil mapping and a series about how to know your soil. Please join my blog mailing list if you would like to be notified of updates.
With the assistance of a garden base map, it should be relatively easy to get your planting right the first time around
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