Strategies for the Beginning Landscape Gardener
September 3rd, 2009 | 
Author: Beginning gardeners often make some costly mistakes in their creation of their landscaped garden. Knowing what to avoid could help you prevent spending money and then need to call in a professional to fix your costly mistakes.
1. Plan ahead and then check and plan again
It can never be stressed enough the importance of planning your garden and planning it to fit its present surroundings. First looking at the existing permanent features such as the house, and any other permanent fixtures that cannot be changed, your landscape idea must fit into what is existing. Decide what you want your garden to do, be a showpiece that is unused or a garden that can be lived in. Set aside areas for recreation, this is imperative if you have a family of growing children and pets.
2. Planning your plants and their needs
If you are not sure ask an expert. Either at your local nursery or get advice from a professional landscape gardener, knowing which plants will fit the environment you create is important for their survival and your peace of mind. Check all your shade areas and sun areas, its no use putting a shade plant in a sunny part of the garden it will not survive the heat and the same goes for a sun loving plant to be placed in a shade area it will not thrive and will most likely die. A garden with dead plants is a sad and ugly sight.
3. Don’t make a big shadow mistake
Trees and shrubs need plenty of space to spread and breath. You placement of these ‘soon to be permanent’ plants will be of utmost importance. They cannot be moved easily if you find that they are causing the light to be blocked from windows in the house. Check the spread and height of the shrub or tree you plan to plant. Imaging it in its full grown state and try to figure if it will cause future problems, lack of light not only blocks off light from buildings but also will not allow good growth underneath the trees if they are too close together. All plants require a certain amount of light to thrive.
4. A garden is nothing without water
Water is an important part of any plants survival. Every species on the planet requires water to survive. Your plants deserve to be given the best chance they can get. In your planning of your landscaped garden you need to plan in your water requirements. Certain areas may have restricted water shortages so that must be a consideration to be factored in. Rainfall patterns can also have a great impact on your garden. If you are in a heavy rain fall area then planting cactus will guarantee they will die from too much water. Irrigation is another important thing to consider, this is especially important of you plan to go on vacations and will need to leave your garden to fend for its self while you are away.
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