Is your garden space weary and needing a glow-up? Imagine the sense of accomplishment and pride that comes with transforming it into a beautiful, thriving oasis. Planning a garden makeover can be daunting, but have no fear! With these seven steps you’ll be sure to have a gorgeous space that fits your needs and thrives.
Changing your garden space is a journey that can be as simple or as complex as you desire — or as your budget allows. This flexibility puts you in control, empowering you to create the garden of your dreams.
Whether this is a front or backyard, a balcony or a patio, let’s dig into 7 essential steps to guide and create a plan for a renewed, beautiful outdoor oasis.
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Why Developing a Plan for Your Garden Makeover is a Good Idea
Before we dive into those steps, here are 5 reasons why having a garden makeover plan is a fantastic idea!
A Garden Plan Gives Clear Vision
A well thought out plan is your secret weapon. It helps you visualize the end result, making it easier to create a cohesive and beautiful outdoor space that reflects your style.
With this plan in hand, you can approach your garden makeover with confidence and preparation.
A Garden Plan Advances Budget Management
Planning allows you to set a realistic budget and allocate resources effectively, ensuring you don’t overspend and can prioritize the most important elements of your makeover.
A Garden Plan Saves Time and Reduces Stress
With a plan in place, you can streamline the process and tackle tasks systematically, saving time and reducing stress during your makeover journey.
A Garden Plan Preserves Plant Compatibility
A thoughtful plan helps you choose the right plants that thrive together, creating a harmonious and sustainable ecosystem in your garden.
A Garden Plan Facilitates Long-term Enjoyment
Investing time in planning means more enjoyment in the long run. A well-designed garden is easier to maintain, giving you more time to relax and enjoy your beautiful outdoor space!
Ready to transform your outdoor space?
A stunning garden makeover can elevate your home value and enhance your lifestyle!
7 Steps to Transform Your Garden Space
Let’s look at a methodical, strategic process to guide your garden makeover.
These steps are applicable to any garden space, be it a patio, deck, balcony, raised bed, container, or in-ground garden.
They also relate to any type of garden, whether it is a flower garden, a vegetable garden, or a mixed garden.
Anytime you are ready for some kind of garden renewal, take time to work through these steps.
Let’s take a Look at a Real-Life Example:
Meet Michael and Lisa, who made changes to their garden space.
My son, Michael and his bride, Lisa, moved into their new townhouse which had a quaint backyard but it needed some work.
Travel along with us as I chronical their journey in each step of the garden makeover process.
1. Evaluate Your Current Space Before Starting a Garden Reno
If you are thinking of changing your garden space, your current garden will likely inspire the adjustments you feel are needed. This may be in response to a change in the environment or your life situation.
Assess and take note of what works and what doesn’t with your present garden, and remember to consider both the living and nonliving components of your garden.
How do the existing plants present and how do they affect the space?
What are the hardscaping features like fences, sidewalks, decks, or patios in your space, and how do they influence your yard?
Once you have identified the pros and cons of the present yard, it’s time to set clear goals of what you desire to change in a renewed one.
What did Lisa & Michael do?
This is what Lisa and Michael discovered with their newly acquired yard:
They enjoyed their lower yard shady and easy-care patio the most.
However, the garden had trees growing over the back fence into the yard, unbridled raspberries on one side of the yard, a random pile of soil on the other, over grown grass, and uninspiring floral containers.
2. Set Clear Goals for Your Garden Makeover Project
Identify what you want to achieve in your garden space because your goals will drive your design choices.
Do you want to create a relaxing retreat, a play area for kiddos, grow food, enhance your home’s curb appeal, or develop more privacy?
Write your goals down and let them guide your garden blueprint.
What did Michael & Lisa do?
Michael and Lisa quickly nailed down their goals.
Their intentions were to have more privacy and to make it a cozy space to relax and invite friends.
The third goal was to have their garden low maintenance.
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3. Design Your Garden Layout with Purpose
Now, dream and sketch your ideas! A well-planned layout makes for a more functional garden.
Create a layout that complements your home and the existing structures like fences or sheds.
Add structure and define garden ‘rooms’ with patios, pathways, or raised beds. These hardscape elements can enhance the beauty and functionality of your garden while requiring less maintenance over time.
Other pieces to consider in your new garden design include:
- pathways
- grassy spaces
- plant arrangements like trees, perennials, and annuals
- where to place features like benches or water elements
- focal points such as a pond, bird bath, or sculptures to add visual interest
What did Lisa & Michael do?
Lisa and Michael wanted to clean up some of the yard features and incorporate some new focal and privacy points.
They planned to trim the overhanging trees and plant a shrub in the corner.
To develop more privacy, they chose to build a raised bed to grow tall perennials where the pile of soil was, and to place a large planter on the deck to create a privacy screen on the other side of the yard.
4. Choose the Right Plants for Your Garden Reno
Plant selection can be fun or overwhelming; hopefully, these tips will make selecting plants that thrive in your climate and soil pleasurable.
Before picking or buying any plant material, get to know your garden and learn about the environmental factors that influence your garden because those components will determine the best plant choices.
Know how the Sun Travels in Your Space
Plants depend on direct or indirect sunlight to produce their essential life sugars, so know how sunlight moves through your garden space.
Ask:
- When does the sun start shining on your garden, how long does the sunlight stay, and when is the garden shady?
- Is your garden always sunny, or is it a shady garden?
Know how the Wind Moves Through Your Garden
Wind affects they type of plants you can grow in your gardening space.
If you have a windy garden, stick to thin leaved plants or plants that have very strong leaves.
Ask:
- Does the wind always blow in a particular direction?
- Is there an area that is always sheltered?
Know the Soil and How Water Flows Through Your Garden
Soil type and water flow patterns are closely connected and another important environmental force in your gardening space.
Assess and answer:
- Are there areas that are perpetually dry or wet?
- What is the soil quality like? Is the soil loose or compact?
- Are there areas of the garden that collects water and drains well?
- Are there places where the water sits and the soil is continuously damp?
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Other Plant Selection Tips for Your Garden Makeover
Mix perennial flowers and annuals for year-round beauty with seasonal pops of colour as perennials cycle in and out of bloom.
Know your plant growing zone when selecting perennials to give them the best chances of survival.
Related: What are Plant Hardiness Zones & How do They Work?
Remember to consider plant size and growth habits!
Experiment with a variety of textures and colours. Combine leafy greens, vibrant flowers, and interesting bark to create visual interest throughout the seasons.
Choose low-maintenance plants and consider a watering system to keep your garden thriving with minimal effort.
Implement sustainable gardening practices by using native plants, composting, mulching, and rainwater harvesting. Not only will you create a beautiful garden, but you’ll also contribute to a healthier ecosystem.
Here are some blogs to help with plant choices:
- How to Master Your Shade Garden: A Complete Guide to Growing Annuals and Perennials in the Shade
- 10+ Amazing Annual and Perennial Flowers to Grow in Full Sun
- Marigolds: A Simple and Easy Plant for Any Sunny Garden
- A Practical Guide to Growing Beautiful, Eye-Catching Petunias
- 10+ Bell-Shaped Perennial Flowers to Add to Your Garden
What did Michael & Lisa do?
Michael and Lisa built the raised bed in their sunny backyard and planted Hollyhocks and Delphiniums for height to create privacy.
These plants will do well in a raised bed because Michael and Lisa live in plant growing zone 6-7.
On the other shady side of the yard we planted a planter with Astilbes and Sunpatiens in Lisa’s favourite colours, accented with Sweet Potato vine.
The hanging basket featuring Red Dragon Wing Begonias and trailing ‘Jade Frost’ Lamiastrum added more privacy from above as it grew and thickened.
Michael and Lisa incorporated some smaller containers on their sunny balcony above and added more to their shady deck below.
The container plants are: ‘Unplugged White’ Salvia, ‘Diamond Frost’ Euphorbia, “Blue my Mind’ Evolvulus, and Stardiva ‘White’, by Proven Winners.
5. Add Personal Touches into Your New Garden Space
Make your new garden space uniquely you.
To make the space feel personalized and inviting, incorporate décor that reflects your style and colours, like garden art, furniture, and planters.
Make adjustments as needed if some ideas don’t pan out.
What did Lisa & Michael do?
To tie things together and make their space cozy, Lisa and Michael opted for an outdoor carpet to cover the sharp rocks and make walking about in bare feet easier. The blue Adirondack chairs were a choice because they were more comfortable and relaxing.
Lisa and Michael love to have fun, too. They wanted a pool and this is what the budget allowed.
6. Invest in Maintenance Tools for Long-term Garden Care
Keep your garden flourishing with the right tools!
Invest in quality gardening equipment to make upkeep easier and more enjoyable.
What did Michael & Lisa do?
Wanting to keep life simple and in view of their small yard, Lisa and Michael opted for a manual lawn mower.
Other tools they added to their list were clippers, a spade, a watering can, and Nature’s Source fertilizer.
7. Savour Your New Garden Creation
Once your makeover is complete, take the time to enjoy it!
Whether it’s hosting a gathering, playing, or simply relaxing in your gorgeous, comfy new space, savour the moment and the beauty of your creation.
Once your makeover is complete, take the time to enjoy it! Host a gathering, play, or simply relax in your gorgeous, comfy new space.
What did Michael & Lisa do??
They celebrated and relaxed!
Gardens Take Time
Remember, transforming your garden takes time, strategy, and patience, but the results are worth it! If you’re looking for new ways to transform your garden into a peaceful oasis, check out my other blogs! Plan your garden this winter for how the sun sits in your garden, what plans cohabitate the best, and what plans will bring you the most joy!
More to Explore
- How To Plan & Design a Garden in 4 Simple Steps
- Eight Tips for Transplanting Plants in Your Garden
- 3 Tips for Buying Plants to Save You Money
- 5+ Ways to Create A Thriving and Pollinator-Safe Garden
- How to Understand Fertilizer Labels
©Sharon Wallish Murphy ©Gardening with Sharon
