A Successful Garden Starts With Proper Planning By Creating A “Plat Plan”

Deciding where to put your perennials within the garden area is just as important as deciding which ones to plant. Sure, you can just go to your yard and start digging, but if you really want your perennials to grow beautifully and make a great impression on the property, you will need to do more than just knowing which flower to plant. You need to know the best site to put your flowers where they can grow healthy, show their beauty, and light up your home.

To figure out the best place for your flowerbed, you will need to take out your first set of tools: a pencil and paper. The first step is to draw out sketches in order to measure the advantages and disadvantages of each potential location. Next, you need to figure out the size of the flower bed to know exactly how many plants and flowers you need to plant to fill up the specified area. Planning your garden this way reduces the number of potential mistakes you could make as you create your landscape of perennials. Keep in mind that it is much easier to correct mistakes on your paper than to correct them in your garden.

Location, Location, Location...

When deciding on the perfect site for your flower bed, make a general inventory of your property. This is easier to do if you have a “plat plan”. A plat plan is a map that shows detailed sizes and boundaries of your land, as well as the placement of structures. If you do not have one, draw a simple diagram of your land area. You do not have to know the exact measurement of the boundaries and structures. However, make sure that you show the shape of all boundaries and the position of all structures.

Next, take a walk around your house and note down specific items that are listed on the diagram. If you have decided that you want the perennials in a specific site of your property, do an inventory of that area only.

The following features should be included in your diagram:

1. Relevant structures around the house such as shed or separate garage. Also include the location of driveways, sidewalks, sprinkle heads, drain spouts, terraces, decks, walkways, doors, windows, fences, overhangs, retaining walls, valve boxes, and built-in barbecues.

2. Include trees, plants, shrubs, and lawn areas that you already have. If your neighbors have any trees, shrubs, or hedges that shade your house, also include it in your diagram.

3. Look for ponds, ditches, streams, and slopes. Indicate erosion, low places, or any wet areas. Also indicate boulders or rocks.

4. Label the area that gets the most sun as well as the area that gets the most shade.

5. Mark the location of utilities such as boxes, meters, utility poles, underground wires, fire hydrants, water faucets, etc. Remember to contact the utility company before you start digging so you don't accidentally dig into any underground electric wires.