One of the most common gardening questions asked by beginners is: who should I have design my herb garden and how can I find them? My answer: you already have one.
I would like to introduce you to your new herb garden design expert...
You! That's Right! You don't have to be an expert.
Herb garden design is subjective.
What I mean is that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and in the case of your garden it is your eye not some strangers.
Here are few tips on how to design a herb garden personalized for you.
Create a theme.
All gardens need some concept that they center around.
Choose something that fits your personality - something you enjoy.
Once you decide a theme you need to identify its defining characteristics.
For example, if you want a formal English garden you will notice that formal gardens are defined by straight uniform lines and hedge lined pathways.
You can get ideas for your theme through pictures or by visiting other gardens.
Search.
Find specific plants, objects, and hardscape (like stone walkways, brick retaining walls, or a wood trellis) that fits the theme you envision.
As you look around you will begin to notice what you like and what you dislike.
As you continue to search decide on a focal point.
Every garden needs a center piece, this can be a tree or bush, a fountain, or your favorite herb in a raised bed.
Draw your garden.
It doesn't matter if you're a good drawer or not.
You can rely on rulers, a compass, or even stencils.
What matters is that you begin to form a specific design.
You can draft as many times as you want.
I personally like to use graph paper and make each square one square foot.
Start to bring all your ideas together into an actual design.
Here are a few additional concepts to keep in mind as you are drafting.
Levels.
It doesn't make sense to grow plants you can't see.
Place taller plants behind shorter plants.
If you do decide you want a taller plant in front of a shorter one try one of the following methods to raise the bed.
(1) Form a hill for the plant to grow on.
(2) Use bricks or other hardscape to build a taller bed.
And finally, (3) use a pot and, if needed, adjust the height with bricks.
Pathways.
Make sure that you break your garden into sections with pathways.
This doesn't mean you need a full two person walk way; it can be simple as a few stepping stones.
Pathways create a 3D feel to your garden.
Colors.
The color of plants can be used in many ways.
Naturally, your use of color will depend on your theme so make sure you identify which colors are most fitting.
If you want to know more a study of the color wheel will tell you all you need to know.
Textures.
Plants are more than just color.
Use plants with big leaves vs.
small leaves of-set or create a uniform look to your garden.
You can have a garden that is only green and still make it interesting to the eye by using texture.
Finally, don't worry about messing up; gardens are easy to adjust.
You will likely find that as time goes on your ideas will change and progress and your garden will evolve with you.
Good Luck and Happy Gardening!
I would like to introduce you to your new herb garden design expert...
You! That's Right! You don't have to be an expert.
Herb garden design is subjective.
What I mean is that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and in the case of your garden it is your eye not some strangers.
Here are few tips on how to design a herb garden personalized for you.
Create a theme.
All gardens need some concept that they center around.
Choose something that fits your personality - something you enjoy.
Once you decide a theme you need to identify its defining characteristics.
For example, if you want a formal English garden you will notice that formal gardens are defined by straight uniform lines and hedge lined pathways.
You can get ideas for your theme through pictures or by visiting other gardens.
Search.
Find specific plants, objects, and hardscape (like stone walkways, brick retaining walls, or a wood trellis) that fits the theme you envision.
As you look around you will begin to notice what you like and what you dislike.
As you continue to search decide on a focal point.
Every garden needs a center piece, this can be a tree or bush, a fountain, or your favorite herb in a raised bed.
Draw your garden.
It doesn't matter if you're a good drawer or not.
You can rely on rulers, a compass, or even stencils.
What matters is that you begin to form a specific design.
You can draft as many times as you want.
I personally like to use graph paper and make each square one square foot.
Start to bring all your ideas together into an actual design.
Here are a few additional concepts to keep in mind as you are drafting.
Levels.
It doesn't make sense to grow plants you can't see.
Place taller plants behind shorter plants.
If you do decide you want a taller plant in front of a shorter one try one of the following methods to raise the bed.
(1) Form a hill for the plant to grow on.
(2) Use bricks or other hardscape to build a taller bed.
And finally, (3) use a pot and, if needed, adjust the height with bricks.
Pathways.
Make sure that you break your garden into sections with pathways.
This doesn't mean you need a full two person walk way; it can be simple as a few stepping stones.
Pathways create a 3D feel to your garden.
Colors.
The color of plants can be used in many ways.
Naturally, your use of color will depend on your theme so make sure you identify which colors are most fitting.
If you want to know more a study of the color wheel will tell you all you need to know.
Textures.
Plants are more than just color.
Use plants with big leaves vs.
small leaves of-set or create a uniform look to your garden.
You can have a garden that is only green and still make it interesting to the eye by using texture.
Finally, don't worry about messing up; gardens are easy to adjust.
You will likely find that as time goes on your ideas will change and progress and your garden will evolve with you.
Good Luck and Happy Gardening!
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