Unless you have some sort of background in landscaping, designing your own garden or backyard can be slightly difficult. While a lot of people choose to use landscape designers, for this very reason, some people don’t. Some people can’t afford to use a qualified landscaper, while others simply look forward to the challenge of designing their own garden.
One of the most important things to consider when designing your own garden is your climate. You need to do a lot of research into what sort of climate you have – especially if you are new to an area – and what sort of plants grow well in that climate. Planning well before you start landscaping will save you a lot of time and money, and will make sure that your garden looks great year round!
Consider the following things when trying to design a garden that is right for your climate:
Your temperature range:
Obviously, one of the most important things to consider is how hot or cold it gets where you live. A lot of places have very high summer temperatures, which can severely limit what sort of plants you can grow. In the same way, anywhere with snow or regular below freezing temperatures is not going to be a good place to plant warm weather plants. If you aren’t sure what sort of plants are good for the temperature range you experience, talk to your local nursery or gardening store.
Your annual rainfall:
Different plants grow best with different amounts of rainfall. If you live in a very wet climate, then you should plant things which are able to cope with regular waterlogging and damp, miserable weather. However, you should also consider modifying your soil profile so that you can plant a wider variety of plants. In the same way, very dry climates are not going to be suited to plants which require a lot of water, especially if you live in an area which has water restrictions in place.
How windy it gets:
Wind is a big thing to think about when designing your garden. First, think carefully about where you are going to plant any large shrubs or trees. Don’t put them in places where they might damage your home or other buildings if they blow over. If you live in an area which is prone to wind, you should consider what sort of large plants you should plant, as not everything copes well with windy conditions.
Any regular extreme weather events you are prone to:
If the area you live in is prone to extreme weather events like cyclones or flooding, then you need to make sure that your garden is designed accordingly. For example, if your area is prone to flooding, then consider installing drainage and building up your garden beds so that they are less likely to be affected.
Final word:
In the end, the you should design your garden according to your environment. Choose plants based on your temperature, annual rainfall, and other weather conditions. If you aren’t sure exactly what sort of things you should plant in your region, then speak with your local gardening expert.