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.

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

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Articles 21-40 of 65

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Foliage Garden Ideas

Let leaves take centerstage in a lush, lovely foliage garden -- no flowers need apply. Foliage carries a garden through the seasons, long after the flowers have faded to a memory. Use our foliage garden ideas and garden photos to get inspired!

Fragrant Garden Ideas

Delight two senses when you choose fragrant blossoms and foliage for your garden! Fragrance adds an ineffable, almost magical quality to a planting scheme, enhancing the beauty of the flowers. See our fragrant garden ideas.

Garden Care

You're not finished with your garden once seeds are in the ground. Regular garden care is essential to healthy, flourishing plants. Learn how to maintain your garden in this article.

Garden Care Tips

Keeping your garden looking great depends on having the right tools, developing a good technique, and being organized enough to do the right things at the right time. Find garden care tips in this article.

Garden Ideas

Good garden ideas can encourage you to plant with zeal. Get inspired with great garden photos. Learn how these garden ideas can work in your yard.

Garden Soil Tips

Soil is a complex blend of animal, vegetable, and mineral material. Healthy soil is one of the keys to a thriving garden. Find helpful garden soil tips in this article.

Garden Types

Just because you're interested in gardening, doesn't mean that you have to stick to the classic floral plot. There are many different kinds including rock, rose, and water gardens. Learn about the different garden types.

Gardening Tips

Gardening can bring you satisfaction, especially when your flowers and vegetables grow and flourish. Properly caring for your garden will mean more flowers and a better harvest. Find tips for every aspect of gardening.

Habitat Garden Ideas

When you create a habitat garden, wildlife like birds and butterflies enjoy it too. Birdsong and brightly colored butterflies not only add beauty to the environment, but also make the garden seem like a natural refuge. Get inspired with habitat garden ideas.