Planning a garden

Gardens serve many purposes. Some people want food for the kitchen. Others want colour, shade, a quiet place to sit or somewhere for children to play. Many want a mix of these.

Before planning anything, it helps to name what matters most to you. Think about how much time you have, who will use the space and what you enjoy. A garden that suits your life is easier to keep going.

Every space has its own conditions. Notice where the sun falls in the morning, at midday and in the afternoon. In Australia, spaces facing north usually get the most sun, and spaces facing south get the least.

Notice shelter too. Walls, fences and trees can block wind, but they also cast shade. The sun sits lower in the sky in winter, so shadows are longer then than in summer.

Soil varies from place to place. Some is sandy and drains quickly. Some is heavy clay and stays wet. Some spaces have no open soil at all, so pots or raised beds may suit better. Think about where water will come from, how far away the nearest tap is and whether rain could be collected.

Soil, compost and potting mix need some care. Victoria’s Better Health Channel notes that Legionnaires’ disease can be caught from potting mix. Its gardening safety page explains how to handle these materials safely.

The easiest plants to care for are the ones suited to where they grow. Match plants to the light, soil, water and room you have. Check how tall and wide a plant will grow, not just how it looks today.

Climate matters too. ABC Gardening Australia’s Vegie Guide groups Australia into five climate zones: arid, tropical, subtropical, temperate and cool. You choose the zone that fits where you live, then a month, to see planting suggestions.

A plan does not need to be perfect. A rough drawing on paper helps you see how the pieces fit together. Mark the boundaries, buildings, trees, taps and the sunny and shady areas.

Then add your ideas: where plants could go, where people could sit and how you would move through the space. Leave room for paths that are easy to walk along. Pencil makes it easy to change your mind.