Answers To Your Questions About Garden Design
Lizzie asks…
Garden design advice please?
I was asked to design a small garden, mostly influenced by zen gardens. The site is shaped like a triangle, and there’s bamboo on one of the corners. However, the owners don’t want sand or gravel because they have dogs, and the site doesn’t seem to be apt for a zen garden (there’s a Mexican fountain and a cross), so I thought about using some big rocks, tall ferns (similar to lady ferns), santolina and salvia. Santolina mostly to resemble the color of gravel, and salvia because I like the scent and the purple flowers somewhat resemble Japanese cherry blossoms. Do you have any other recommendations? Thanks for the advice.
Green Thumb answers:
How about a small waterfall? Just the kind that bubbles over into a small pond. I would say add some Koi, but dogs+fish=bloody mess.
I think it would be really cool to add a few Tea plants. Set them off in a little corner, encircled by rocks. How cool to have access to your own tea!
Maybe some japanese-style solar lights: http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i64/Leap2live/bghghgh.jpg
Get some rocks which have Japanese symbols ingraved, or jade colored rocks.
A bonsai tree: http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i64/Leap2live/bon2a.jpg
or some cool wind chimes: http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i64/Leap2live/485-045.jpg
Robert asks…
Does anyone know of a good home and garden design software? ask?
I use sweethome 3d but it’s only okay, I was wondering if anyone knew of a good free download for some home design software… Sweethome 3d does not do landscape design, I would like one that does both, but I don’t really want to pay for it.
Green Thumb answers:
Try and look up Instant Architect it’s free and might be what you are looking for or if you want to google it just type in free home and garden design and pick from a list.
Richard asks…
How to protect garden design (mulch) from cut grass which fly left and right from lawn mower?
I have red mulch around plants and then line of brick. When husband is cutting the grass, pieces of cut grass are covering the mulch.
Do you know how can I prevent it?
Green Thumb answers:
I always make two passes around the flower beds, shooting the grass AWAY from the beds….this is on a 46″ riding lawn mower. On the third pass I can turn around and shoot the grass out since I am now far enough away that it won’t reach the beds. If you have a push mower, you may need to make more passes….measure and see how far the grass flies, then mow that distance from the flower beds, shooting the grass away. That red mulch shows everything, I bet!!! The other option as others have mentioned is a bagger.
John asks…
Where can I find a good garden design for a shady area of my house?
I live in Zone 6 and would prefer a long flower blooming season.
Would prefer something low maintenance.
The area measures 60′ x 10′
Green Thumb answers:
Try your local public library. There are tons of great books on gardening of all types which will inspire you. Do not limit yourself to looking up works on shade gardening. One fantastic book is “Creating Small Gardens” by Roy Strong…. It is chock full of nifty garden plans.
Jenny asks…
How could I use bedroom furniture as part of a garden design?
Green Thumb answers:
I have used wooden chair backs as trellises, and a baby crib frame too. I’ve seen a whole bed minus the mattresses as a planting bed. They raised it up and planted a patch work on it with low growing plants. Good luck!
Donald asks…
What’s a good online tool for garden design?
If an online tool isn’t available, I’d also take software suggestions. I’d love to have it also have plant suggestions, ect.
I just bought a house and it has a lovely backyard that is all dirt at this point. When spring hits, I have to start planting!
Green Thumb answers:
My son gave me the Better Homes and Garden’s 3D Garden and Deck Planner several years ago that I enjoyed every winter since then. I’m sure what’s available now is even nicer, but this came with an encyclopedia of plants of all kinds, with information for each plan about how big it gets, what kind of light and water it needs, etc. You map out your yard and can put your house, fences, driveway, etc. You “drop” plants in from the overhead view, and then you get to take a virtual walk through it in a 3D view. You can also go at it another way, starting with a photo of certain areas of the yard, and then add plants to the foreground. Lots of fun.
I lovely backyard that is all dirt… Sounds like a perfect place to find a corner to compost in for starters.
Have fun.
Mark asks…
Garden design: How much impact does a body of water have on reducing noise in the surrounding area?
Thanks in advance.
Green Thumb answers:
Still water has no effect in reducing sound. Depending on the size and placement of the pond or swimming pool, the noise level can be increased. Ditto for where the water is in relation to things like paving, building walls, and any hard fencing (such as Colorbond) or masonry garden walls.
Running water increases the noise level, too, but masks a lot of random or annoying noises by producing soothing “white noise.”
I love the sound of water, but don’t want any deep water in my yard. I’ve looked into pondless waterfalls, and these seem ideal for my needs (which include noise-dampening: I live near a school and playground-park). I’ve been working on the design and budget, and hope to put one in next summer.
If you want to have a look (google used to have a bunch of “images of pondless waterfalls,” but I didn’t find this when I looked just now — maybe you’ll have better luck, if you’re interested):
http://www.hgtv.com/landscaping/pondless-waterfall/index.html
http://www.life123.com/home-garden/landscaping/garden-ponds/how-to-build-a-pondless-waterfall.shtml
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