Time to Design

Now that you've read a little about plants and planting design, it's time for you to do it yourself! If you feel a little overwhelmed thinking about plant selection and arrangement, here are a few yard templates to help you out. Booklets for each template provide a convenient little package of information about each design.

What's Inside the Yard Template Booklet?

Existing Conditions

What the yard looks like right now, including shady, sunny, and wet spots. This diagram informs what kind of plants can be planted there.

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Planting Template

Exactly what you think it is. A suggested planting template for the yard given the goals of the design (described on the front cover) and the existing conditions.

Phasing Diagram

A suggested way to break up the installation into smaller pieces. You can really do it in whatever order you want. The phasing order based on priority areas and trying not to leave awkward gaps between the first phase and the final.

Species List

A rundown of basic qualities and additional notes for each of the species identified in the design. If you are looking to replace a plant in the suggested palette, you can use the information on this chart to find a species with similar characteristics that will also thrive in your yard.

Additional Tips

Some additional considerations to take into account before, during, and after you plant.

4-Season Task Calendar

Some things like soil amending and planting should be done at certain times to avoid unwanted plant death. This calendar helps you spread out your tasks over the season to help with timing.

What's Next?

With these templates in your back pocket and your new knowledge about plants and basic planting design, you are oh so close to a beautiful new garden. But every garden requires a little love and care to get established. Check out some helpful maintenance tips that will give your perennial pals the best chance of survival.