Garden Tips

By Thomas Baugh

There's nothing worse than not having the space available to achieve your vision for your new garden, but a small garden design can also be seen as an advantage. After all, the less space you have, the less you have to maintain and you can create a really stunning design because you're able to concentrate on every little detail.

Planning is crucial with any design project, but even more so when you're working with limited space. A good starting point is to make a list of all the essential things you want in your garden. You should also get outside with your tape measure and ensure that you know the exactly how much room you have. When you bring these two crucial pieces of information together, you can really get an idea of what is realistic.

Sketch out the dimensions of your garden on a piece of paper and then start adding and positioning all of the various features you want to include. For the first time, you'll get an impression of whether your small garden design is a realistic one. Be warned, you might have to make sacrifices on some of the more frivolous options to make way for the necessities. What you don't want to do is overcrowd your garden, as that will make it seem even smaller.

Using garden design software is always advisable but even more so with a smaller space. You need to get an accurate idea of how everything will look from different angles and viewpoints. A simple sketch won't give you the valuable insight that advanced software can, so take advantage of it. You can download it for free from the internet and go 3D with your design in no time.

A small garden design needn't be a problem, as long as you don't see it as one. Instead, visualise it as an opportunity to create something that is perfectly crafted, with attention paid to every possible detail.

There's more information on small garden design at the Garden Design Site.
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By Roxanne N Kim-Perez

What is Xeriscape? It means water wise or water efficient landscaping. It does not mean Zero scape. The word is a combination of the Greek word for dry xeros and the word landscape. The term Xeriscape was developed in 1981 by the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado to describe a water efficient landscape program.

The following 7 Steps of Xeriscape (Water-Wise) Design Garden will help you to re-evaluate our use of water, be more practical and water conserving approach to landscape design and maintenance regardless of the garden style.

1. Planning and design. Planning is the most important step to successful water-wise gardening. Due to and lack of proper planning, large amount of water is wasted in our own gardens. Do not mix water loving plants with drought tolerant plants. If you want water-loving plants, choose an area and have separate zoning.

2. Soil analysis. Soil testing is an important tool in plant health management. Tests can indicate nutrient status, pH, salinity, organic content, and texture. Soil testing kits are available at your local nursery, garden store or home improvement store. Improve the soil prior to planting and installation of any irrigation system. Many drought tolerant plants need good drainage and should not be overlooked.

3. Appropriate plant selection. Try to use drought tolerant and native plants. You can find these plants at your local garden stores with the California Friendly Plant logo. Become environmentally aware and make California more beautiful. California native plants are suited to the state's soil and climate because they have evolved here over millions of years. Native plans also can help save water and attract wildlife.

4. Limit turf area. Remember, your lawn uses the most water in your garden, so try to keep turf area down to 20 - 30% of the total landscape. Avoid small useless lawns, water-loving lawns. The rule of thumb is that if you have small children, keep the lawn area. If you don't have small children, just eliminate the lawn area completely. If you still want to have that turf look, it can be replaced with others, less water-demanding materials such as ground covers.

5. Efficient irrigation. A well-planned irrigation system can save water and money. Separate turf areas from other plantings and use an automatic sprinkler system and make sure they cover well and do not waste water. Trees, shrubs, flowers, ground covers can be watered with low-volume drip irrigation or micro-irrigation system. Irrigate early in the day and under low wind conditions.

6. Use of mulches. Mulches cover and cool the soil, minimize evaporation, reduce weed growth and soil erosion. Organic mulches examples are tree bark, chips, wood grindings, lawn clippings, and garden compost. Inorganic mulches are weed barrier cloth, rock and gravel products.

7. Appropriate maintenance. DO NOT over-water, as it can be a big problem. If you hire maintenance services for your garden make sure they understand the needs of drought tolerant plants.

With the lack of rain and environmental changes the future water source is questionable. If every individual makes a little effort and planning on his or her part then a large amount of water can be saved.

Roxanne (Roxy) Kim-Perez is a professional landscape designer providing landscape design service in and around San Diego. Her design firm http://www.forget-me-notlandscapedesign.com is a landscape design company that specializes in modern residential landscape designs with emphasis on energy efficient, low maintenance and comfortable designs for Southern California home owners.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roxanne_N_Kim-Perez