Garden Design Tips
Some Practical Considerations Before You Start Your Design
THE SITE
- You may need to look at the school grounds as a whole before deciding on the best site for the garden.
- Observe the site. Measure it, including any slope.
- Make a scale drawing of it
- Include existing features (which should be retained and incorporated into the design? Which will have to be removed?).
- Mark the position of plants, trees, walls, fences, paths, buildings and surface cover.
- Mark features which may be screened such as a busy road. Mark the direction of more distant objects to be screened i.e. pylons. Also mark the direction of distant features that are attractive and could be incorporated into the space by opening up a view or making a focal point.
The site plan and the placing of existing features should be as accurate as possible because it will form the basis of the final design. An maths class could use this as a project.
CLIMATE
Region. The region you live in and the local climate will affect what is practical to grow in the garden.
- When are the first and last frosts of the year? In which direction is the prevailing wind?
- How much rainfall can be expected in any month? Make simple weather observations of rainfall, temperature and wind direction. If direct observation is not possible, find out where the nearest weather station is situated and obtain a copy of its records.
- How can the weather be "managed" by the use of the space and what is built there?
Aspect.
- Check the orientation of the site and see which parts are in sun or shade at different times of day.
- How do the school buildings affect the site?
- Check the temperature differences of sun and shade and discuss how this will affect the type of plants that can be grown..
- A simple sundial can be made with a rod stuck in the ground and hourly observations of the shadow. A permanent sundial could be a feature of the garden and the children would have to learn how to place it accurately.
- How can the space be made attractive though all the seasons?
SOIL TYPE
Soil types may be different in different areas of the site and there can be problems near buildings where builder's rubble may be all you dig up!
- Samples of soil can be taken and analysed for type- loam, clay, sand, silt, chalk, peat, gravel - and acidity.
- Soil type can be roughly determined by particle size, which can be as simple as how the grains feel when rubbed between the fingers or as sophisticated as looking and measuring with a microscope. A testing kit for pH can be obtained from a garden centre or a science teacher may be able to help make one.
- Drainage can be tested by digging a hole, filling it with water and measuring the time it takes to drain away.
- Discuss what part of the soil is important to the plants. How do they get their nourishment?
- What animals/insects do they find in the soil and what role do they play?
- Discuss whether the soil can be improved. Add compost to lights sandy soil to retain moisture or gravel to heavy clay soil to improve drainage.
LOCAL CONDITIONS
- What is the local stone?
- What materials have been used to build the school and neighbouring buildings? Look at a map of the local geology (in conjunction with looking at soil).
- Will the garden incorporate local/traditional products and crafts into the garden i.e., dry stone or turf walling, woven willow or perhaps steel or other modern materials to reflect local manufacturing.?
- Does the project have any ideas of using recycled products for the construction of the garden or of pieces of art to place in it.
- Observe your own and neighbours gardens to help produce a list of plants that grow well in the locality. A visit to the local park and an interview with the gardener/grounds man will give ideas.
- If the site is noisy consider including sound in the design. Water splashing on to pebbles or wind chimes can distract the ear.
- If the site has a hard surface, which cannot be taken up, consider containers for the plants. The design and construction of containers could be incorporated into art, technology, design, woodwork and metal work classes.
MAINTENANCE
All gardens need long-term care. Even a low maintenance garden needs some attention.
- Who will tend the garden in the holidays? Technology and design classes could design an automatic watering system.
- Is there easy access to water i.e. an outside tap for watering the garden?
- What level of planting scheme does the garden require?
SAFETY
- Water features should not be more than a couple of inches deep. Pleasing effects can be achieved with water splashing on pebbles or running in very shallow/narrow rill.
- Avoid toxic/poisonous plants.
- Avoid hard, spiky plants, which can easily damage eyes.
- Are any hard surfaces and sharp corners safe enough?
BUDGETING
What is the cost of the design? Areas can be measured, quantities calculated and costed. What plants can be grown from seed, what can be made in art, design etc. classes.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Keep in mind the need for and affect of Planning Permission, Tree Preservation Orders and other local bylaws.