Natural Gardens: Your Planning Checklist

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Laura Coit

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To create a successful, thriving natural garden, you have to start asking questions from the ground up.

Chances are you make a checklist before just about any “to do” project, whether it’s going to the grocery store or planning a trip across the country. So it just makes sense to prepare yourself similarly for a big project like creating a new natural garden in your back yard.

A good garden design checklist of questions (and answers) is an important tool that can help you get your project done right – and as quickly, efficiently and affordably as possible. The following list of questions is grouped into six major categories that should help you make sure you’ve got all your bases covered before you ever dig that first hole.

Planning Your Project

Where is your garden located, both geographically and within your yard?

Is your proposed garden next to your home or another structure?

Do you want to accentuate or downplay the style or color of the structure your garden will be near?

Are there existing features or plants that should be incorporated or removed?

What is your elevation?

Is the site exposed to prevailing winds?

Is it near an ocean or other body of water?

Is your garden site level or does it slope?

Determining Your Objectives

What purpose do you want your natural garden to serve?

What are the functions you hope to gain from the garden?

What garden theme best suits you?

What approach to natural gardening are you taking?

Will you plant only natives?

Is your garden (and gardening style) environmentally friendly?

When do you need/want the project finished?

How much ongoing care can you provide your garden?

Facts

Got a natural garden project you’re starting? We’d love to hear about it! Share your growing experiences with our Learn2Grow community and post pictures in our forums.
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Tips

Don’t cut corners when planning your garden. As tempting as it may be to start planting right away, beautiful thriving gardens begin with time spent considering all your options.
Print out this list of questions, and continue to add to it as you research and plan your natural landscape. The most successful natural gardens are those that are planned carefully and take into account all the factors that might prevent success.

Faqs

Q: Where can I get some good ideas for natural gardens?
A: Head out to the natural areas and parks of your region and hike around. Take your camera, as well as plenty of notes on what you like – and what you don’t. This will help you when it comes to designing and selecting plants for your own natural garden.
Q: Why is soil testing so important?
A: Testing gives you a good understanding of what’s lacking in your soil. Once you know what your soil has and has not, then you can amend it to better suit your plants’ needs.
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