Plan and Dream: Plotting Your Garden

Now that you have determined the location of your garden, it is time to design. I find this one of the most enjoyable tasks in preparing a garden. This is where you can live out your dreams, even if it proves to not be practicable. If time and money were no object, what would you want your garden to look like? It’s okay to dream, just do it in pencil.
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First, measure the area available for your garden.
I have a large open area to work with, but any area can be a rewarding garden, both big and small.

I began by drawing my outer dimensions on a grid. I love graft paper, but have adapted to using the computer so that it is less time consuming and messy to make changes. Changes are inevitable.

In this plot, each square is 2' x 2'.

​Next, decide whether you want a row garden or raised beds. I prefer raised beds for several reasons: no digging, easy to weed, good soil, less bending over to tend the garden.

​Find the center of your garden and work from there.
8’ x 4’ and 4' x 4' boxes are the typical raised bed dimensions.
Use any size bed you want to add character and creativity to you plan, as long as they fit comfortably within your boundary.

I make squares I can move around my design. This makes it easy to explore ideas without having to start designs over when I want to try it a different way.

Also, don’t forget to include pathways.
I have tried 2ft and 3ft pathways in the past. An average sized wheelbarrow can fit within a 3ft pathway. I found the problem with both of these two spaces, it is hard to turn corners. Since space is not an issue, I have chosen 4ft pathways for this garden.

What do you want to be the focal point of your garden? What do you want the center of the garden to look like? Do you want a simple layout, or a more complex design.
With that in mind, just start. You can adapt your design as you go.

I decided to make the center of the garden my focal point. My last garden, I made my greenhouse the focus.

Notice the narrow pathways. I had less space to work with, so I sacrificed pathways.
 
I have a cute antique table and chair set I want to be at the center of the garden. I made space in the center of the plan first. Then I wrapped the area with small beds to make a cozy room at the heart of the garden. I can see my future self drinking tea as I bask in the beauty of my garden...

​Next, I put 4ft pathways leading to the center.

Don’t forget to leave an exit or two so you can get into and out of your garden. 😊

​Now, I simply played with my space.

In my previous garden, I surrounded the area with an animal proof fence, lined the inside of the fence with pathways, then added the beds. It worked like a charm. A fence needs to be 2 1/2 ft high to keep those cute little cotton tails from dinning on your vegetables.

​This time, I am putting beds along the exterior with trellis/fence attached to the outside of the border beds, thus creating a fence. This does expose the outer plants to critter sharing, but hopefully there will be plenty to go around.

​​Now, I just fill in the interior with my beds. I decided a formal, symmetrical garden works with the style of our house.
 
After much maneuvering, I have come up with this plan.

I can't wait to see the real-life version of this garden!