about garden design

You started the research months ago. You know exactly which plants you want to put in your yard. You know exactly what colors your flowers will bloom in the springtime. And you know exactly which fish you'll put in your pond when you fill it in. Sounds like you have it all figured out, right? Well, maybe. But you may have forgotten the most important part of any major project: the design.

Where will the pond go exactly? How deep should you go in order for it to work properly? Where will you plant all of those lovely pink and purple flowers? Will they work together or fight each other for attention? Whenever you begin to think about what you want your garden to look like, you should ask yourself all of these questions and more. There's nothing worse than an ill-thought out garden. It could end in a crowded, over-run field of plants and flowers all meshed together in chaos. Or worse, everything could die within a few months, leaving you with an ugly yard and an empty wallet.

While you can pay a professional to come in and design your yard for you, at great expense to you, there is a better place to start. With a visit to HowStuffWorks you can get a number of garden design tips that will put you well on your way to creating your perfect garden paradise. We'll guide you through where to start, what would work for your yard and what will live best in your area. Let HowStuffWorks help you plant, grow and enjoy the garden you've always wanted. And best of all, you can tell all of the neighbors that you did it yourself. They'll be green with garden envy.

garden design tips channel library

Garden Design Tips Channel Library RSS Feed

Garden design tips help take the guesswork out of planning a beautiful garden. Learn great garden design tips for your garden.

How to Stake Plants

Featured Article: How to Stake Plants

Some plants need just a little bit more support than the rest, either because of heavy clusters of flowers, slender stems, or a combination of both. Learn about various staking techniques in this article. See more »

5 Japanese Style Gardens

5 Japanese Style Gardens

Since the 6th century, Japanese gardeners have been creating green spaces that focus less on perennials and peonies and more on meditation and peace of mind.

See more »
How Butterfly Gardens Work

How Butterfly Gardens Work

What has bright, blooming flowers and a sea of flapping wings? A butterfly garden. Planting one will help you to attract and conserve these winged beauties.

See more »
How Greenhouses Work

How Greenhouses Work

Reproducing plants out of season gave man a measure of control over nature. The allure of it sparked the imagination and inspired new methods for building structures devoted to plants. So how do greenhouses work?

See more »
How Guerrilla Gardening Works

How Guerrilla Gardening Works

As you head to work, you notice that the nearby vacant lot has become a utopian garden overnight. Did biblical forces create this urban Eden, or was it the handiwork of guerrilla gardeners?

See more »
How Hydroponics Works

How Hydroponics Works

As the population of our planet soars and arable land declines, hydroponics will allow us to produce crops in greenhouses or in multilevel buildings dedicated to agriculture. How else will hydroponics save plant populations?

See more »
How to Create a Backyard Wildlife Habitat

How to Create a Backyard Wildlife Habitat

Creating a backyard wildlife habitat is a rewarding project for nature lovers. However, they might be surprised to find that making a home for neighborhood critters is as easy as it is worthwhile.

See more »
How to Start a Community Garden

How to Start a Community Garden

Gardens have lots of benefits, but what if you don't have any land to start your own? If you're strapped for green space, a community garden might be the answer.

See more »
How Topiary Works

How Topiary Works

You may think of a land full of leafy green elephants when you hear the word "topiary," but you can train and shape plants in own back yard -- or even on your office desk.

See more »
If I plant trees in my yard, will it offset global warming?

If I plant trees in my yard, will it offset global warming?

Planting a few trees in your yard certainly won't obliterate your entire carbon footprint. But it could cut your energy costs. How much carbon dioxide does the average tree absorb?

See more »
What is edible landscaping?

What is edible landscaping?

Forget those boring plots of fruits and veggies. Why sacrifice aesthetic appeal when growing your own food? Border your garden with lettuce, use mint as ground cover and encourage your kiwi vines to climb trellises.

See more »
What's the difference between bonsai and topiary?

What's the difference between bonsai and topiary?

Whatever their medium, artists have been known to use any available resource in order to create a masterpiece. So what if they used nature not only as inspiration, but as instrument?

See more »
Will victory gardens help us beat high food prices?

Will victory gardens help us beat high food prices?

What if you could shop for fruits and veggies in your own backyard? Not only would it save you a trip to the grocery store, it might save you some cash. How much?

See more »
Assess Your Garden Conditions

Assess Your Garden Conditions

Sunlight, soil, and water are the big three essentials when it comes to gardening. Every plant needs adequate light, moisture, and nutrients from the soil to thrive. Learn how to assess your garden conditions.

See more »
Basic Tips for Lawns

Basic Tips for Lawns

These basic tips for lawns will be helpful to any gardener. Learn more about lawns in this article on HowStuffWorks.

See more »
Basics of Growing Groundcovers as Lawns

Basics of Growing Groundcovers as Lawns

These basics for growing groundcovers as lawns will be helpful to any gardener. Learn more about growing groundcovers as lawns in this article.

See more »
Basics of Wild Ginger as a Care-Free Groundcover

Basics of Wild Ginger as a Care-Free Groundcover

These basics of wild ginger as a care free grondcover will be helpful to any gardener. Learn more the basics for wild ginger as a care free groundcover in this article.

See more »
Buying Plants

Buying Plants

Want to try your thumbs at gardening but need advice on what might work? This article will get you started with advice about soil, water, sunlight and other factors that can affect your plants.

See more »
Color Theme Garden Ideas

Color Theme Garden Ideas

Color is a vital consideration when planning any type of garden. Whether you want rainbows of color or a simple monochromatic design, you'll love these inspiring ideas and images.

See more »
Cottage Garden Ideas

Cottage Garden Ideas

Cottage gardening is a beautiful way to manage many plant types in a small backyard or other garden space, because they display annuals, perennials, herbs, shrubs, and vegetables -- all growing quite happily together with an effect of controlled chaos.

See more »
English Country Garden Ideas

English Country Garden Ideas

Balance formal and informal in your garden and create a spot of English countryside with a formal carpet bed, an avenue of pleached limes, an ornamental pond and fountain or a well-filled perennial border. Read more about English gardens.

See more »