Garden design: assessing your plot

Before embarking on any ambitious planting, you need to assess and plan your garden as you would any other room in your home. Work out exactly what needs to be done so you can execute it accordingly.

Work out the character
Before you get carried away with ideas about what your ideal garden might look like, you need to establish the personality of the garden you've landed up with. Its existing characteristics will determine what you can grow successfully. This will depend on the soil quality and the amount of sunlight your garden gets.

Be patient
Most experts advise that when you move house and inherit a new garden, you wait an entire year before embarking on any major work. That way, you get to see exactly what you have on your hands plant-wise, whatever the season or weather. If, however, you only have a concreted space or just a few beds to sort out, 12 months of observation time is probably not necessary.

Consider the climate
The weather is an immensely important factor in determining the health of your garden. You should choose plants which thrive on the kind of conditions you find in your location – whether windy, wet or sunny. Bear in mind that some plants will need special protection from certain adverse weather conditions. Check out the average rainfall and maximum and minimum temperatures for your area at the Met Office website.

Find out the aspect
The amount of light your garden receives throughout the day will depend on its aspect – in other words, the direction your garden faces. Work it out using a compass if necessary. On the whole: