Having a plan before you plant is important for any garden. Flower, vegetable, and other types of gardens each require a different plan and have their own needs. If you want your garden to come back year after year, you'll need to begin with a plan.

Regardless of the type of garden you want to plant, the proper planning can make a big difference in the amount of work involved in maintaining the garden and in how it looks. The tips in this section will help you plan your garden effectively. You'll learn about different soil types, watering, the best way to add paths and other decoration to your garden.

Tips, Tricks, and Answers

The following articles are available for the 'Garden Plans' topic. Click the article''s title (shown in bold) to see the associated article.

   Aesthetic Potting
Potted plants can be a wonderful addition to any landscaping design, or even if used as a decoration for your home. However, if the wrong type of pot is used, instead of an aesthetically pleasing design, you'll simply have an eyesore. Here are some of the tricks to aesthetic potting.

   Attracting Hummingbirds to Your Garden
Whether you are looking to attract a little bit of extra beauty to your garden, or you are looking for help in propagating your plants, attracting hummingbirds to your garden can seriously help.

   Basics in Garden Design and Planning
Consider growing zones, irrigation, sun exposure, water drainage, and yard location when designing and planning your garden. Above all, however, grow what you like. You could grow the best eggplant in the county but, if you don't like eggplant, why grow it? This article has great tips for things to know about garden design and planning.

   Build a Rain Garden
If you are interested in conserving water in your garden, you may want to consider a rain garden. This type of garden not only looks beautiful, it survives mainly off of the water captured after a rain storm. All it takes to build a rain garden is to follow these directions.

   Building a Rock Garden
Whether you have a difficult part of your yard that you want to spruce up, or are looking for a method for using less water, you may want to consider building a rock garden. Not only can you make your own, it can be a lot of fun as well. These instructions will tell you how you can do it yourself.

   Chinese Gardens
If you are looking to create a garden that is both relaxing, and beautiful, then one of the best types you could plant is a Chinese garden. Chinese gardens are not only beautiful to look upon, but a complete pleasure to experience. Here is how you can go about creating your very own Chinese garden.

   Choosing No-Fail Plants
Regardless of skill level, having a successful garden is the dream of any gardener. One of the best ways to ensure that you have a great looking flower garden lies in choosing no-fail plants. Here are some guidelines that you can use to help ensure that you choose the best possible plants for your garden.

   Choosing Stone Statuary
The most important thing to remember when choosing stone statuary is the size of the space you wish to enhance. Do not overpower your garden or landscape with too many pieces, and especially choose size-appropriate pieces for your venue.

   Choosing the Best Flower Garden Location
There is more to growing flowers than simply digging holes for seeds or plantings. Choosing the best flower garden location is crucial for optimal results.

   Choosing the Best Vegetable Garden Location
Planting and maintaining a vegetable garden is not difficult. However, determining the very best location for your vegetable garden is imperative for yielding the best results.

   Combining Colors in the Garden
Perhaps one of the most common dreams for all gardeners is have a beautiful garden that is full of colors. However, there is a trick to combining colors in the garden, one that takes a little bit of thought and planning. Luckily, this is a trick that anyone can learn.

   Cooking Garden
Is there really anything better than creating a wonderful meal directly from your own garden? A cooking garden is something that any serious gardener needs to consider at least once in their careers. Here are a few things that you should consider when creating your own cooking garden.

   Creating a Beginner's Flower Garden
Starting a flower garden is easy. Make sure you have the right spot chosen out to grow your flowers. Choose the flowers that will be easy to grow in your particular area and soil. Prepare the soil and plant the flower. Remember not to water too much or the flowers will not grow very well.

   Creating a Beginner's Vegetable Garden
Start your vegetable garden by planning where you are going to grow and what you will grow in the garden. Prepare the soil by removing debris from it and adding fertilizer as needed. Plant your seeds and care for the plants as they start to grow.

   Creating a Country Garden
If you are looking for a simple, beautiful, and easy to maintain garden then you should probably try a country style garden. Creating a country garden is relatively easy, as long as you do a little planning in advance. Here's how you can begin creating a country garden today. You'll love how easy it really is.

   Creating a Dramatic Garden
Gardens are more than just a source of fruit, vegetables, and herbs that we can use in the kitchen. Gardens are also a source of beauty and relaxation for many people the world over. If you have, or want, this kind of a garden, then why not make it a little more dramatic? Creating a dramatic garden is pretty simple.

   Creating a Garden Display
While there are many ways to show off your gardening skills, perhaps none will ever work as well as creating a garden display. A garden display can be anything from something that encompasses all of your garden, to only one or two pieces of decorative art. The trick lies in learning what works for you.

   Creating an Adventure Garden
If you are looking for a themed garden that everyone can enjoy, you really can't go wrong with an adventure garden. These fantastic gardens, when designed properly, have a little bit of something for everyone. Follow these guidelines when you are planning your next garden to ensure that it is a truly memorable one.

   Creative Garden Decorating
Create themes for your garden and add elements for events such as Easter, Independence Day, or a family birthday or anniversary. If you use your imagination, you can decorate your garden creatively and use it for more than a food or flower source.

   Designing a Garden for Color
Color is an extremely important part of designing a garden, and unfortunately one many people overlook. Instead of relying on your unconscious desires to make your garden look good, learn a few simple tricks. Surprisingly, designing a garden for color is really easy if you simply take a little time to do it right.

   Designing a Low Maintenance Garden
Do you have a dream of having a great looking garden, but don't really want to spend a whole lot of time working for it? Instead of spending an arm and a leg hiring someone to do the work for you, take a little time and prepare. Properly designing a low maintenance garden before you begin planting will go a long way to making your dreams come true.

   Designing a Rock Garden
If you are looking to create a low water landscape design, then you may want to consider using a rock garden. Designing a rock garden to your particular tastes isn't all that difficult. All you need to do is follow these specific steps.

   Designing an English Garden
If you have ever seen a movie that was set in England, then chances are you have seen at least the idea of an English garden. These gardens can be an extremely attractive addition to just about any home. That is, they can be, if you know the trick to designing an English garden.

   Designing Organic Gardens
Have you noticed how organic gardens seem to be all the rage lately? Even the President of the United States is trying to be more "green" in his gardening efforts? Before you rush to join the organic garden bandwagon though, take some time to design your garden. Designing organic gardens is a fairly easy task, as long as you keep in mind a few simple things.

   Designing the Perfect Garden
It seems like every day there is some new way to go about creating the absolutely perfect garden and after awhile, it can certainly get a little confusing. What to do? Well, the first step to creating the perfect garden lies in designing the perfect garden. It's not as hard as you think.

   Flower Garden Irrigation
Flowers need adequate water in order to grow and produce blooms. Depending upon why you grow flowers, and how many you have in your landscape or flower garden plot, you might want to use a drip irrigation system, or a soaker hose to water your flowers. Doing so will conserve water, reducing water runoff, and save you time and energy.

   Garden Path Basics
While there are myriad paving materials available to use in constructing a garden path, there are only three basic steps to follow when building any type of walkway. Design, plan, and prepare your garden pathway before purchasing paving materials, edging, or ornamental fixtures.

   Gardening in Sandy Soil
Although water moves quickly through sandy soil, washing away vital nutrients and creating air pockets at the root system, you can grow flowers and vegetables in sandy soil. The key to doing so is to amend the soil to make it a friendlier environment for your plants. Add organic fertilizer, such as manure and vegetable refuse, to your sandy soil to enrich it with nutrients and make it more binding.

   Identifying and Repairing Soil Problems
One of the keys to a successful garden is being able to identify a potential problem before it becomes a reality. The soil that you have in your garden can be one of those problems. That is why it is why identifying and repairing soil problems is so vital.

   Identifying Plants for a Winter Garden
One of the most important steps for making any garden work is picking the plants that you will be growing. This is especially true when you are planning a winter garden. Luckily, identifying plants for a winter garden isn't all that difficult of a task.

   Importance of Balance in Garden Design
While most people have a sense that balance has a bit of a role to play in garden design, most people really don't understand the true importance of balance in garden design. The key to understanding this is that there is actually more than one type of balance, and that they both have to play a role.

   Importance of Function in a Garden Design
If you are looking to design your own garden, then there are several things that you need to understand. One of those is that importance of function in garden design. While it may not be the single most important aspect of garden design, its presence (or lack thereof) can have a disproportionate impact.

   Importance of Proportion in Garden Design
The importance of proportion in garden design is perhaps one of the most easily identifiable, at least when you take a look at the finished product. By understanding that importance during the design phase, you will be able to avoid some common, though costly, mistakes.

   Importance of Scale in Garden Design
Scale has a fairly large role in designing a garden or landscape. In fact, it has such an important role that if you don't properly understand the importance of scale in garden design you can end up creating a gardening nightmare. Luckily, there are a few guidelines that you can use to help keep this in mind.

   Importance of Space in Garden Design
If you are designing a garden, then you really need to understand how important space is. Frankly the importance of space in garden design can't be overstated too much, and if you don't utilize this important aspect properly, your garden wont' be as successful as you would like.

   Important Weather Conditions
Everyone knows how important weather is to a gardener, but not everyone knows what the most important parts of weather conditions are. By understanding the basics of the important weather conditions, you can begin planning and preparing for the garden that you want. Good thing it's not that difficult to learn.

   Italian Gardens
If you are looking to add a wonderful little touch of elegance, or simply looking to make your home a little more exotic, then try using Italian gardens. With the classic and timeless elements of an Italian garden, you will be able to make a home that is truly unique. Here's how.

   Japanese Gardening
Japanese gardening takes more thought and planning than conventional gardening because you want to create an almost spiritual atmosphere. Keep it simple, harmonize with nature, and make it a place to think and reflect on life, and escape from the hurried world around you.

   Kitchen Garden
Once you've mastered the art of container gardening, and if you've enough yard for a garden plot, consider creating a kitchen garden just steps away from your kitchen door. The best type of kitchen garden employs the use of raised beds. Plot your garden on paper, plan what to plant and where, and then decide where to place your raised garden beds.

   Make a Small Garden Look Larger
While we may all wish that we had a large and spacious garden, unfortunately we don't. For those who have to live with smaller gardens, there are a few ways that you can make a small garden look larger. All it takes is a little careful planning, and some imagination.

   Making a Great Winter Container Garden
Have you been experiencing the winter blahs, and miss your time in the garden? Instead of waiting till the weather changes again, try making a great winter container garden. Container gardens are perfect for gardening all year around. Here's what you need to do.

   Making an Herb Garden
Whether you live in a small apartment with no room for a garden, or a large home with plenty of back yard, you can grow an herb garden. Herbs are small plants, requiring minimal growing space, are low maintenance, and enjoyable year 'round.

   Making Your Flower Garden the Right Size
When planning a flower garden, determine the size of your flower bed based upon other landscape elements including size, shape, and color. Making your flower garden the right size starts with pencil and paper, and a little planning.

   Making your Garden Design a Reality
Your dream garden might seem impossible, but don't assume you can't ever do it. Make a plan and find out what you need to do to create the perfect garden for you.

   Making Your Vegetable Garden the Right Size
If you want to grow a vegetable garden, but don't know what size to make your garden plot, then here are some great tips for making your vegetable garden just the right size. Determine what vegetables you will eat, figure out how much time you are willing to spend cultivating them, and then ensure that you plant your plants for optimal growth.

   Organic Gardening for Beginners
Over the past few years organic gardening has become more and more popular. In fact, it has even reached the White House. But is it something that even a novice could do? Organic gardening for beginners is really all about understanding the basics.

   Planning a Fruit Garden
It is never too late, or too early to begin planning any garden, let alone planning a fruit garden. By taking your time when planning a fruit garden, you will be able to make sure that you have the best possible results. Not only will proper planning help your garden to look good, but will also increase your likely hood of having a successful harvest.

   Planning a Moon Garden
Are you looking for a particularly romantic style of garden for your home? If so, you may want to consider planning a moon garden. Especially easy to maintain, and fantastic looking at night, moon gardens are a wonderful way to add a little bit of evening enchantment around your home.

   Planning a Vegetable Garden
It is never too late, or too early, to begin planning a vegetable garden. In fact, the more time you take planning your vegetable garden, then the more likely you will have a successful harvest later in the year.

   Planning an Outdoor Kitchen
Do you love preparing food and entertaining friends and family? An outdoor kitchen could make a great addition to your yard and be a nice place to cook and hang out.

   Planning Your Fall Garden
Gardeners who live in warmer growing zones have the advantage of several growing seasons. If you are lucky enough to live in a warmer climate, take advantage of the autumn growing season, and plan your fall garden in the summer.

   Planning Your Spring Garden
It is never too early or late to begin planning your spring garden. There are really only a few things that you absolutely must keep in mind when doing this task. Take a look and find out what they are, and just how easy it can really be to get ready for your next garden.

   Planning Your Summer Garden
It is never too late, or too early to begin planning your summer garden. The key to successfully planning a summer garden, or any garden, is to know the general guidelines. Those guidelines aren't too difficult to understand, though it can require a bit of work to put them into practice.

   Planning Your Winter Garden
Despite what many people think, just because it is wintertime doesn't mean that you can't still do a bit of gardening. The key to a successful winter garden lies in the planning stage. Luckily, planning your winter garden isn't all that difficult if you follow the proper steps.

   Planting a Southwest Garden
Planting a southwest garden can be more than growing cacti. It is quite possible to successfully grow flowers and vegetables, if you follow a few veteran guidelines, while making sure you have adequate water supplies.

   Planting Along a Sidewalk
Have you ever noticed how there is one area of the home that tends to get overlooked when it comes time to garden? That one area can usually be found along the sidewalk. Planting along a sidewalk is a great way to add a little extra beauty to any home, and is remarkably easy.

   Raised Bed Gardening
Raised bed gardening takes advantage of small space, grows more plants in less time, and overcomes native soil problems. With a raised garden bed, you can harvest your produce with less back strain since the plants are waist high, instead of at ground level.

   Rock Gardens for Tranquility
Rock gardens are beautiful recreations of alpine areas. The most important part of creating a rock garden is to plan it out in advance. Make sure you know where everything should go, what kind of rocks and plants you want ahead of doing the actual work. Once you have that all planned out, make your rock garden and enjoy the beautiful scene.

   Setting Up Gardening Zones
One of the best things you can do for your lawn is to plan what you plant. Make a map of your lawn and the different growing condition of each area. Research different plants and what grows well together. When you plant, consult this map and make your home look beautiful.

   Starting a Vegetable Garden
Vegetable gardens are great things to have around your how. If you want to have your own vegetable garden, start small. Pick an area that is in the sun to grow your vegetables. Till the ground, being sure to leave the sod. Have the soil tested for richness, and bring in topsoil or compost to help the soil be healthy. Plant your vegetables and watch them grow.

   Tilling Soil Manually
Without question, using a power tiller is the quickest and most efficient way to till soil. However, for small jobs, it is sometimes easier to till the soil manually. Follow these great tips for using your hands and tools to manually till your soil.

   Tomato Garden
Tomatoes are a wonderful plant and addition to just about any garden. However, there are times when you may wish to dedicate your garden to only growing the tomato. What do you need to know in order to plant the best possible tomato garden? Keep reading to find out.

   Transferring Your Garden from Paper to Reality
There is a trick to transferring your garden from paper to reality, though not many people know what it is. When you take the time to actually make the plans, you have taken a huge step towards making your new garden a reality. Now all you need to do is finish taking that last step.

   Understanding Gardening Zones
Growing plants involves much more than simply digging holes and inserting seeds or plantings. Understanding your local environment, including the zone in which you live, will help you choose appropriate plants that will thrive in your gardening zone.

   Using a Power Tiller
Using a power tiller is the most efficient and quickest way to cultivate your soil. Not only used for gardens, power tillers also aerate soil, weed, and break new ground before laying sod. Choose a power tiller based upon the size of land you will till.

   Using Patios and Terraces in Garden Design
We don't all have big yards where we can plant a garden. But even if you live in a smaller space, you can still create a peaceful garden spot.

   What is a Planted Path?
Garden paths are a great way to add elegance to anyone's decorative garden, and are often an integral element of a successful garden design. One of the many types of paths that you can use to decorate your garden is the planted path style. If you would like to know a little more about this intriguing style, keep reading.

   What is a Rain Garden?
If you are interested in low impact, or fairly low maintenance gardening, then you may want to consider a rain garden. These unique types of gardens may require a little bit of initial work, but will thrive once they have been properly set up. Here is a little more information to help you determine what a rain garden really is.

   Which Soil is Best for Plant Growth?
When you test your soil for pH, the kit's package instructions will recommend either adding lime to raise the alkalinity, or sulfur to lower the pH. The next step is to add nutrients by adding organic matter, such as decaying vegetation and manure, or fertilizer. Finally, periodically retest your soil and continue to amend it so that your plants will grow as best they can year after year.