The best tip for garden planning is to consider the size of the available garden space as well as the available light, water sources, and plants that will thrive in a specific garden environment. It will also be important to research the specific times of year in which different plants should be planted to avoid frost, heat, or other factors that can affect the lifespan of a plant. Garden planning should be done in conjunction with tool planning, as specific tools will be necessary to effectively plant and manage the garden throughout the year. Be sure to consider local animals when garden planning as well in order to prevent animals from eating plants.
The region in which the garden will be planted will have a significant impact on garden planning, both in terms of available, nutrient-rich soil, and in terms of available water and designing the garden to capitalize on available rainfall and groundwater. Some regions of the world are very dry and have little available water, so when garden planning for such a region, it is important to choose plants that can thrive in a dry environment. Areas of the world that lack available moisture often promote xeriscaping, which is a type of garden planning that focuses on collecting and directing available water and minimizing the need for artificial water sources such as hoses or sprinkler systems. Consider such garden planning if the region in which you live is short on water.
Most experienced gardeners will recommend starting a compost heap. This can be done by sectioning off a corner of a yard and creating an enclosure for natural waste that can compost into healthy, nutrient-rich soil. This is good for the environment, and it will leave the gardener with rich soil for use in the garden. This will, as a result, cut costs associated with gardening. A gardener can buy a composter designed specifically for the job, or he or she can build one from scratch; the cost savings are not significant by building one from scratch.
Be sure to research which plans need plenty of room, and which plants need plenty of sunlight. Find out which plants need to be watered regularly, and which need to be watered only occasionally. Group plants together based on sunlight and watering needs, and be sure to account for how large the plants will grow over time. Some plants will need a significant amount of room, and can overpower smaller plants.
