Garden Design Preparation 

Although designers are trained to recognise, utilise and interpret your needs, you’ll find that the more information you provide the more value you will gain from the process. So once you’ve made the decision to have your garden designed, the first thing you should consider undertaking is a little preparation.

Design preparation can begin with a few simple exercises such as listing your likes and dislikes; don’t be constrained to just listing gardens elements, include music, art, places, people, and anything else that comes to mind. You might also consider assembling the garden stakeholders - family, partners and so - for a general discussion about the possibilities and opportunities. You can structure such discussions by looking a short, medium and long term needs separately and by asking each participant to write down their own needs prior to starting. 

 

Having begun the process of developing your design brief you might find it beneficial to flip through garden orientated magazines and books. Cut out or photocopy pictures that capture your desires and make a scrapbook. And don’t worry about spending a fortune buying books, check out your local library, 20 minutes leafing through the garden section might be the best investment you make. 

 

If you’re feeling really enthused about your garden’s potential and if the idea of lists and scrapbooks doesn’t appeal, then try to get out to your local garden centre, or even better; the National Garden Exhibition Centre; the Japanese Garden’s in Kilquade; the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin or a garden festival like Bloom in the Phoenix Park. Nothing beats seeing design ideas in the flesh for helping you to define what you’d like to achieve.