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 Don't start until you have a plan!

You might be keen to get started, but before you pick up a spade or start choosing your plants you need to make a plan. It sounds dull, but without it you won't know what will and won't fit in your garden. Your garden will be better organised and easier to manage as a result of preparing a clear plan.

 Method

1. Measure the outer boundaries of the plot.

2. Work out a scale so that you can draw the plan onto paper (figure 1). The best scale to use is 1:50 or if you have a huge space then 1:100.

1:50 means 2cm = 1m      (so for every 1 metre     you need to draw 2cm     on your plan)

1:100 means 1cm = 1m     (so for every 1 metre     you need to draw 1cm     on your plan)

Example - if the edge of your garden measures 10 metres, using a scale of 1:50 would mean a 20cm line on your plan. A scale of 1:100 would be a 10cm line on your plan.

3. Mark on to your plan existing features in the garden like trees and ponds. This can be done by drawing a grid onto the plan outline. Square metres are an ideal grid size (figure 2).

Figure 1 (Click for a larger image)

Figure 2 (Click for a larger image)

4. You can now measure the distances to the existing features from the boundary. Once you have done this you can convert (change) the measurements using the scale and draw a plan of the outer edge of the garden area and the existing features.

5. On copies of the plan or tracing overlays you can now draw on what you would like to go in the garden. You must use the same scale as you did before.

 Remember to:

•	always mark which direction is north.
•	include the full spread of tree canopies, as the shade they cast will affect planting decisions. It is surprising how far the branches spread across the garden. Areas uner tree canopies are always dry, as well as shady.
•	include any problems, such as a waterlogged area.
•	be realistic about what will fit into the garden.

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