Comfort and utility are among the most important qualities to consider when developing a garden design. Because tastes and styles differ, beauty is often in the eye of the beholder. But the fundamental principles behind comfort and utility are universal. By considering these elemental concepts at the beginning of your design process, you can ensure that your garden will contain all of the components needed for a pleasing and beautiful space.
1. Build an arbor or a pergola
Make this structure at least 7 feet tall for safe clearance. Add another 18 inches for good measure if you’re planning to train climbing plants to grow over it. Need help building an easy arbor?
Rose arbor after rain with fallen petals. So romantic!
2. Add a walkway
Select paving materials with a coarse texture, and set them at a 1 to 2 percent slope to encourage water runoff and to keep walkways hazard-free. Learn what it takes to build a brick pathway.
Photo: courtesy of Jane Horn
3. Locate utilities before digging in
There’s nothing worse than hitting pipes when making grade changes or excavating trenches.
4. Know the mature size of a plant at planting time
It’s important to leave enough space between plants to accommodate their ultimate size.
Photo: courtesy of Amy Stafford
5. Design primary paths to be at least 5 feet wide
Secondary paths can be smaller (but no less than 3 feet wide) and still retain a pleasant and hospitable passage.
Photo: courtesy of Jo Busha
6. Don’t crowd pathways or patios
Site tall plants (more than 30 inches in height) at least 2 to 3 feet back from the edge.
Seating area at the end of the path (In bloom: Allium ‘Purple Sensation’, Nepeta X faassenii, gaura, euphorbia, and pansies in the foreground, dianthus and geraniums in the background. Budding: Allium multibulbosum, Nigella damascena, Thalictrum flavum ssp. glaucum, Siberian iris, and peonies. Photo: courtesy of Wendy Kremer
7. Allow at least 3 feet of open space around patio furniture to ensure easy passage
Patios are most comfortable when you plan for at least 4 square feet of space per person.
8. Choose plants that do more than just bloom
Look for plants with interesting foliage, bark, or fruit to extend seasonal displays.
This is Viburnum rhytidophylloides ‘Willowwood’.
9. Create a relaxing environment
Block out hot sun, harsh winds, and public areas using trees, shrubs, and large-scale perennials.
10. Strike a balance between lawn and planting areas
Create a lower-maintenance garden that can be used for recreation and enjoyed for its beauty.
Photo: courtesy of Julie Witmer
11. Give steps a rise of 6 inches or less for comfortable navigation
Once you determine the rise, use this equation to figure out the ideal dimensions for your run: 26 inches – (2 × the rise) = the run. Place landings at every fourth or fifth step if you have more than 10 steps in your stairway. Landings should be at least as deep as the steps are wide.
Plant Covers Freeze Protection 10 ft x 30 ft Floating Row Cover 0.9oz/yd²
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Lightweight and Breathable MATERIAL Good for protecting Plant: the plant frost cover material is 0.74 oz/sq non-woven polypropylene fabric, which is lightweight, breathable, and durable. The plant blanket frost protection allows sunlight reach the plants, perfect for protecting plants from the damage of freeze or frost. Wide Application In your Garden Work. The plant row cover not only can work as a barrier against frost, but also can be a great tool for germination and good for rapid seedling growth. By using the fabric plant covers over your plant, you can start the plant earlier in the spring and extending the growing season of your plants. How to Use the Plant Covers: you can cover the plant covers for freeze over your the plants loosely directly and then secure the plant frost blanket with soil, stones or staples. You can also support the floating row covers with a hoop, make enough room for plants to breath and grow. You could also cut the plant covers into different sizes for different purposes.
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Premium 16 Perennial Wildflower Seeds Mix - Special Garden Flower Seeds Blend designed for planting indoor & outdoors across North America. With over 16 varieties and 100,000 wildflower seeds, this mix is the best solution to attract pollinators - bees, butterflies & birds are essential for garden plants health. Our Special Perennial Wildflower Seeds Mix Includes White Yarrow, Columbine, New England Aster, Siberian Wallflower, Shasta Daisy, Lance-Leaf Coreopsis, Sweet William, Purple Coneflower, Blanketflower, Gayfeather, Blue Flax, Lupine, Dwarf Evening, Primrose, Mexican Hat, Prairie Coneflower, Black Eyed Susan. Easy & Fun Growing Experience with our online guides - Don’t plant disappointment - Add more colors to your wildflower garden! We send only super hearty heirloom flower seeds with the highest germination rate and fast sprout. Our detailed growing guide helps you grow seeds the garden of your dream like a PRO. Colorful Wildflower Garden from Seeds - Grow wildflowers everywhere - Indoor in window garden or Outdoors Flower garden Garden make a beautiful design for your garden borders, pathways, field or meadow and attract pollinators. Made in the USA by Small Family-Owned Business - Quality You Can Trust - Our wildflower bulk seeds variety pack are tested at the highest germination rates before being sealed to last for up to 3 years before you need to plant. Each packet of our flower seeds variety pack is resealable to make it easy to store and has its own label with a QR code for the growing instructions.
A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo
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MULTITASKING DUAL EDGES: a deep serrated edge and a tapered slicing edge ideal for tough or delicate cuts. DURABLE 6-inch stainless steel blade withstands 300 lbs of pressure. TWINE CUTTING NOTCH, DEPTH GAUGE MARKINGS & spear point - no need to switch tools when using this garden knife. LEATHER SHEATH: heavy duty, protective, clip on sheath to keep your knife convenient and secure. LIFETIME WARRANTY.
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