Stage 1 First things first
It's always better to work with nature than fight against it. So get to know your space by spending as much time in it as you can. There is no point rushing a design that won't work in your garden.
Find out what direction it faces - will a seating area near the house catch the evening sun or do you need to think about having a separate area at the rear of the garden.
Look at the soil - is it heavy clay needing lots of nutrients, or are you on chalk. Whether your soil is acidic or alkaline can affect the varieties of plants you can successfully grow in your garden. You can purchase a Soil Test Kit here.
Think about the shape and climate within your own specific garden as well as that in your general area. If you are by the sea you will likely get sea salt in the air meaning you need particularly resistant plants as well as ones that don't mind strong winds. If you have a shady damp space its going to be hard to build a convincing Mediterranean haven!
And finally think about what you want from your garden and what the space can practically give you. Do you want somewhere you can relax from the hustle and bustle of a stressful working day, or do you need a garden that can cope with the hustle and bustle of children running and playing in it?
If all this is starting to phase you then why not see if we operate our design services in your area.
Or if you just need a little advice try our Advisory service instead.
Forward to Stage 2: Surveying your garden
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