Garden design DIY
The Ultimate 8 Step Guide to Garden Renovation
Your Landscaping Journey begins here …
- Is your home crying out for landscaping or a garden renovation?
- Are you sick of weeds and dirt but scared you can’t afford a landscaper?
- Do you want to DIY your garden’s landscaping to save money?
The good news is you can do just that with the help of Your Landscape Journey.
Your Landscape Journey has developed a free, downloadable guide to planning your landscaping project. You can have a DIY garden that will be the envy of the neighbourhood.
And the best bit? This is just the first of a series of resources that we’ll be developing for homeowners just like you. Watch this space for webinars and more tools.
But if at any point you want to hit fast forward, all you need to do is book in a phone or video consultation with Your Landscape Journey.
Your landscaping journey begins here …
So, you’ve decided to take the plunge and undertake a landscaping project, but you’re not sure where to start. Whether your project is big or small, the principles for planning it are the same.
Get ready to say goodbye to bare dirt, weeds and haphazard planting arrangements and hello to the garden of your dreams.
In this guide, we take you through the steps you need to take to plan and successfully carry out your landscaping job.
Step 1: Setting the scene for your garden renovation
In order for you to design your ultimate garden renovation, you need decide what you want to use your garden for.
Will it be a showpiece or a play space? Will it be used as an area for pets or will it be an extension of your entertaining space?
The function will substantially influence your overall design.
Once you’ve determined the function of your garden space, you’re ready to move to the next step.
Step 2: Taking stock of your garden renovation
Do an inventory of what you already have in your garden.
Think about things that you like and can stay the way they are.
Consider items that can’t be removed but that perhaps you’d like to conceal.
Identify existing features that you’d like to accentuate.
Once you’ve done that, draw a mud map (which is just a fancy way of saying simple plan) of your site so you can see what you’re working with.
Include things like:
- Built structures
- Your home’s footprint
- Sheds
- Pools
- Gazebos
- Soil type
- Orientation of the site (e.g. sunny and shady spots)
Step 3: It’s all about garden style
There are so many different styles of garden and the one you pick will have a huge influence on your overall design, plant choice and hard landscaping. What are you drawn to and does it work with your home? Is it feasible in your climate?
You could consider:
- Tropical
- Mediterranean
- Native
- English or Cottage
- Formal
- Japanese
- Eco Friendly
- Modern or Contemporary
The options are endless, and you’re only limited by your imagination. Look at lots of pictures. Check out the gardens in your neighbourhood. Think about what appeals to you that will also suit your location.
Step 4: Landscape Design – it’s elemental
There are lots of elements to a landscaping plan. Consider any hard elements that you want to include or add such as a pool, water feature, carport, entertaining area, or gazebo.
You can then consider soft elements such as plants and lawns.
You will need to pull these two aspects together so that they work in harmony with each other.
Step 5: Your garden’s got to feel right
Think about how you want to feel when you spend time in your garden.
Do you want a tranquil retreat replete with pond and Koi fish? This kind of garden would provide you with a quiet space to sit and reflect.
Perhaps you want to walk outside feel energised and ready for action. Then maybe an exercise area that includes outdoor exercise equipment is needed.
Or maybe you just want to feel connected to nature. If so, having fruit trees, vegie and herb gardens will allow you to grow what you eat – your garden could literally nourish your body. Remember it’s your ultimate garden renovation!
Step 6: Money, money, money
You’ll need to establish your budget. You can have the grandest plans in the world, but you’ll ultimately be disappointed if your they’re out of reach financially.
That said, there are many cost saving measures you can take to achieve your garden goals for less. Think about reducing the scale, reusing what you already have or using recycled or salvaged items.
Cost out all the elements of your design. Make sure you include council application fees and all associated professional costs.
Step 7: Getting the nod of approval
A lot of people jump headlong into landscaping projects and don’t consider council approval. Talk to your council about your plans and find out if you need to put in any applications or seek approval for any aspect of your design.
It might seem like a tedious step and no-one likes red-tape but it will stop you from being fined.
Council is there to ensure that things get done the right way so that your garden is safe. For instance, you want your retaining wall built to best practice and standards – the consequences if it fails can be tragic.
Step 8: Know when to ask for landscaping help
Asking for help doesn’t mean you need to outsource the whole project. Here at Your Landscape Journey we offer phone and virtual consultations that will provide you with direction and support.
We can help you to make a success of your project. With over 30 years’ experience, there’s little in the landscaping world that we haven’t seen or done. We know all the tricks of the trade. We can provide feedback on your ideas and help you to get exactly what you want.
Don’t allow yourself to become overwhelmed.
We’re right here ready to act as your guide, mentor, sounding board or trusted advisor.
Garden Renovation Tips …
Setting the scene - determine the function of your garden space
Do an inventory of what you already have in your garden. Think about things that you like and can stay the way they are.
There are lots of elements to a landscaping plan. Consider any hard elements that you want to include or add ... consider soft elements such as plants and lawns ... how will you pull the these two aspects together so that they work in harmony?
How will you use your garden?
There are so many different styles of garden and the one you pick will have a huge influence on your overall design
You’ll need to establish your budget
Talk to your council about your plans
Know when to ask for help - We’re right here ready to act as your guide, mentor, sounding board or trusted advisor