Gardening is a science. Its about working with the elements of nature to create an artistic expression of yourself around your home. There are many reasons to have a garden. For many of us, its a hobby or simply aesthetically pleasing. For others, the more practical motivation is to improve our property values. Whatever your reason, planning a garden is important and should be the first step we undertake in the journey of gardening.

Where do you start? Begin by observing your current yard. Do you like it? Are things missing? Are things too crowded? Take photographs or keep written journal for several weeks and record how much light you are getting in various locations of your yard and different times a day. This may also change seasonally. Make note of key points of your home such as sidewalks, driveways, or perhaps a deck or patio youll be working around. Next, determine why you want a garden. Who is using the grounds you will be gardening. Will you have small children playing or pets that need to be factored into consideration? Keep an idea on what your budget will be and how much time you have to put into garden maintenance. Surprisingly, one of the last considerations and priorities should be the types of plants you will use. When the time comes to select those, you can find a whole base of knowledge regarding plant, tree, or shrub selections through your local nurseries, libraries, or community organizations such as park and recreation departments or local arboretums.

Gardening doesnt need to be fancy. Keeping a simple but well kept garden may be ideal for many people. Do select a garden location. Put your yard down on paper and determine where you want various things in your yard. Keep in mind you will not want trees to close to building structures, and plan ahead for when they grow and reach mature size. Make sure water is easily accessible.

There are several elements of design to factor into your overall plan. Eyes will automatically shift to a garden line, whether it is the edge of a walkway, or the curve of a flower bed. Gentle, slow curves and horizontal lines tend to be perceived as restful and tranquil while jagged diagonals or vertical lines suggest formality and alertness. Experiment with various textures within your garden. Generally gardens are composed of foliage, bark, or flowers and changes within the light during the day and the seasons. Scent is often neglected, but a very important gardening element. Introducing fragrance will bring an extra dimension to the garden by expanding sensory awareness. Scents are more likely to be appreciated if they are located near a path, entryway, or patio. Color is often one of the greatest challenges to gardeners. It can be employed in a variety of ways. You may prefer to design in a green monotone with only an occasional splash of another color, as exemplified in traditional Japanese gardens. Some take the approach of using kaleidoscopic patterns as might be found in a wildflower meadow. Whatever you use, its about personal choice. What appeals to you?

Dont be afraid to use duplication of line, form, texture, scent, or color throughout your garden. When any design element is repeated the mind is better able to comprehend the composition as a whole. Certainly, you dont want repetition carried to the extremes or your garden will be monotonous. Use one or two qualities of design and hold them constant while varying other parts for the best balance. Variety can be added in other areas. Decide if you prefer the look of a more formal garden, which would usually have more symmetrical arrangements, or if you like the look of asymmetrical informal gardens.

Focal points are important. Often this is done with larger elements like trees and shrubs. These are the elements that initially seize attention. Be careful not to utilize too many focal points or other elements of the composition will be lost. Other design elements can be connected by using a consistent direction or point of focus. This will allow them to sequence and flow together. Elements of the garden should agree in the sense that they convey the size of your garden as a whole. Gardens should be harmonious.

Finally, evaluate your selected garden site. Know your space in terms of width and height. Work with your seasons of interest. Do you want a garden that appeals to you each season or only in the spring and summer? Take into consideration the number of plants needed and the amount of maintenance that you will be able to devote.

Most gardeners would agree that a garden is never finished. It is always a work in progress. A garden should not be work. Your garden should be your labor of love, like any craft something you enjoy spending time and energy cultivating. If you initially make mistakes within your garden, just turn them into learning opportunities. There is no right or wrong way to garden, just how to best utilize nature, space, and your vision of beauty. Finally, allow yourself to enjoy your garden. A well planned garden will bring you years of rewards.

Gentry is a stay at home mom, with a passion for writing. For more articles on easy living, visit http://www.genstyleliving.com.

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Product Description

No longer a technique just for apartment dwellers or novice gardeners, the use of ornamental containers on decks, patios, terraces, and in the garden itself can save time, space, and money, while offering experienced home gardeners unique creative challenges, site flexibility, and experimental fun. Author and award-winning horticulturist Ray Rogers takes you on an engaging exploration into basic design principles as well as how to create focal points, use water, exploit the potential of empty containers, and more. Stunning photographs by Richard Hartlage provide guidance and inspiration, as well as visually explaining each principle. Gardeners at every level of experience will find inspiration and instruction in this comprehensive book.

Customer Reviews

Review date : 2008-04-09
If you’ve ever wondered how to choose colors of flowers and plants for eye-catching arrangements of containers on your patio, balcony or garden this book is for you. Rogers shows you how to make colorful arrangements without having to hire a professional designer.

Rogers makes you think through the process of container gardening before you start for the most impact. His coverage of using spot color to accent home features and smart use of space is well done.

Rogers understands gardeners may have to work with space or time limitations and he addresses those concerns realistically. This is a great reference with many beautiful color photos you can copy for your own home.

Review date : 2007-12-25
Container plantings are ideal for projects with limited planting areas. I have used pots in landscaping for multiple-million-dollar homes, churches, and sites where deep-root plantings are not feasible. The key of container plantings is to choose not only the right plants, but also the right pots for the right locations.

"Pots in the Garden: Expert Design and Planting" is a great reference book for selecting the right plants and right pots for your garden. It includes 3 parts. Part One is about element of design (color, line and repetition, form and mass, space and placement, texture, focal points and the appeal of emptiness); Part Two discusses "bring it all together," including designs that work, other sensory elements, expert container techniques, and choosing a pot; Part Three explores plant groups for containers, including annuals, aquatics, bulbs, cacti and other succulents, climbers and trailers, perennials, tropicals, and trees and shrubs.

"Pots in the Garden: Expert Design and Planting" has 248 pages and 240 interior color photos. It is a great reference book for selecting the right plants and right pots for your garden.

Gang Chen, Author of "LEED AP Exam Guide" & "Planting Design Illustrated." LEED AP, AIA

Review date : 2007-12-18
lovely book with lots of interesting information and ideas,might have to use some different plants to suit the north coast of ireland.I look forward to putting some of the ideas into practice in spring 2008.
Many thanks,
john montgomery.

Review date : 2007-08-20
Yet another really fine book from Timber Press. I’ll spend long, dark winter evenings wandering through these pages, absorbing the wisdom of the writers and generating ideas for next spring. Gorgeous photographs, too.

Review date : 2007-07-30
I purchased several gardening books together and this one was the highlight. Not only beautifully photographed but full of interesting suggestions and writing. My husband and I were able to immediately use some of the arrangements as inspiration for a new bed in our garden. Turned out beautifully!

Everything that is old is new, and the resurgence in the popularity of terrariums is proof. The rage in the the 1970′s, time-stretched indoor plant lovers have begun to bring the terrarium back into home decor. Glass enclosed containers feature miniature plants and accents. Easy to take care of and perfect for the absent-minded homeowner, terrariums are a cinch to create and maintain. Here are some handy hints.

-Pick a visual theme and stick with it. Think of the terrarium as a pint-sized landscape. Don’t mix accents from different themes such as mushrooms with driftwood.

-Remember to put a layer of small pebbles or stones on the bottom and a layer of small charcoal over. All plants don’t like to stand in water or have wet feet.

-Water sparingly, especially if covered. Take the top off every so often so fresh air and breathe into the terrarium.

-Buy small plants when first establishing your terrarium. Over time these plants might need to be moved out or pruned as they overtake other plants. Editing is the key to successful small container gardening.

-Most any glass container will do for your terrarium. Tall cylinders work best, and I prefer topless terrariums.

-Desert scenes with cacti and succulents, add sand and some rough rocks as an easy first attempt at terrarium gardening.