Front Garden

Front Garden Design Thoughts
By Thomas Baugh

I often find it strange how many people don't put a great deal of effort into their front garden design, despite how much it says about your home. Sure, the back garden is important as it is a place to relax and enjoy your very own piece of outdoor tranquility, but a front garden deserves some care and attention.



Of course a front garden isn't always easy to design, especially if your front drive is sloped or on different levels making it difficult to implement big changes. However, with a bit of creativity you can completely change the way it looks and you'll be surprised how much of a difference it makes to the front of the house.



Before planning your front garden design, think about how much work you're likely to do in the future. After all, there's no point planting all kinds of flowers and a beautiful lawn if you're not going to maintain everything as it will quickly get out of control. If you don't have green fingers, then create a design that reflects this using gravels, paving slabs and pot plants instead of materials that require constant care and attention.



If you're stuck for ideas, a good tip is to look at other front gardens in your street and make a note of the ones you like and why. Soon you'll start to form your own thoughts on the image you want for your front garden and the things you'll need to achieve it.



Like any garden design, do a rough sketch of your plans and make sure everything will work. Consider everything and list possible problems you might encounter. Also think about how the changes you're making to your front garden will affect your next door neighbours, as this is easily overlooked.

French Garden

The Beauty of French Garden Furniture
By Derek Farley



There is perhaps no furniture more beautiful than French garden furniture. The French have exquisite taste when it comes to design, and you would be hard pressed to find other types of furniture that generate the same type of atmosphere. Authentic garden furnishings of this kind are available online, and many upscale stores also carry authentic pieces in other countries as well. They are a great way to add a sophisticated touch without making an overstatement. Most French furnishings will be simple constructions, yet have very intriguing design patterns.



Such garden furniture is a great choice to set a relaxing, outdoor atmosphere. Before purchasing any fittings claiming to be authentic, make sure you check the reputation of the company you are dealing with, whether it be online or offline. There are some businesses out there that will try to pass off Amish furniture (which can also be very beautiful), or something worse like a poorly made cheap imitation as authentic. This is a rarity, but it is always a good idea to check before you decide to make a purchase, it never hurts to be a little cautious. Authentic French fittings may be more expensive than other types, but not overly so.



It may remind you of a cafe somewhere on the country side if you have a full set of French furniture outside. The tables and chairs seem to have a pleasing effect on everyone, many people feel that it makes the area look more romantic, which it does! If you are married this would be a great gift for your significant other, something both of you will enjoy. It can be made out of both wood and metal, and the craftsmanship is usually outstanding. French furnishings lasts a long time before succumbing to the effects of wear and tear, items purchased are usually very sturdy.



One of the down sides of French furnishings is that there usually aren't many options on color. Straight black or white are the most common colors, you can find brown sometimes as well, but you usually do not find anything really bright.



This is ok for most people, but if you are looking for a brighter shade you may have to look around for awhile, or even repaint the furniture. There are, however, many different choices available when it comes to the design pattern. As long as bright colors are not a must for you, there is certainly something you will like when it comes to French garden furniture.

Flower Garden

Flower Garden Design
By Indri Maryani

A lot of people do not spend much time thinking on a flower garden design. The moment the name comes to their mind, they start digging and planting random trees with the hopes that they will flower properly. But this is not true. Things might turn out to be completely different than what you imagined it would be. Like any other garden design, a flower garden design also has to be planned properly so that your garden looks the best. In this article we shall discuss the main steps for a flower garden design.

Site Analysis

This implies inspecting the ground for the kinds of plants that can survive there. You have to inspect your soil to judge its fertility. If there are different spaces in your garden that have shades and light, then you need to see what kind of plants you can put where. After all, beauty is not the only objective of flower garden design. You also need to have healthy plants.

Basic Sketch

It is a good idea to sketch out your flower garden design on a piece of paper. It will help you to have a clearer idea of your garden. You will be able to have a clearer idea of its shape and size, the kind of plants that will be there and the combination of plants that would look good together. For instance, you can put the roses and shrubs together. Vegetables can have a separate arena and there can be a water fountain in the middle. You can even put in a bird feeder.

Space

Different plants need different amounts of space. For instance, roses need a good deal of space. And it is difficult to grow cucumber and pumpkins as their vines might disturb the surrounding plants.

Butterflies and Birds

This is another important quotient you have to keep in mind if you are going to set up a flower garden. Do you want birds and butterflies in your garden? If so, why? Will you get a bird feeder? Butterflies are attracted by certain types of plants. Find out about them. Then you have to locate the place where these plants would look nice. Even that is a job that requires a lot of thought in it.

While these are only some things that are important in a flower garden design, these are not all. There are many other nuances which you will be able to think of once you draw out the basic plan of a flower garden design and work upon it.