Garden design | Mumsnet

MadameGalen · 2024-02-25T18:45:55+00:00

Evening, felllow gardeners Can anyone recommend any garden design books or resources, please? I'm a moderate level gardener just looking to try to bring some structure and cohesion to my space. I looked at The Garden Design Bible (I think) on Amazon and another design book by Adam Frost; does anyone have a view on how useful they might be? Or could you recommend any others? This Spring I will finally get it all into some sort of proper shape!

Yamadori · 25/02/2024 20:28

This is the book you want: 'Making a Garden' by David Stevens. Published in association with City & Guilds. The ISBN number is 0-437-02401-6.

It is honestly the best garden design book I have ever found, and it isn't full of glossy photos like most of them are - it properly explains how to do it. There are a few on ebay right now, I just checked.

Original poster

MadameGalen · 25/02/2024 21:51

Thank you. I'll check it out ASAP.

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whippetreal · 26/02/2024 07:33

I have the garden design bible. I thought it was good for inspiration but found it really annoying that it doesn't tell you the garden dimensions on the plan. If I had an idea of garden size, I could have tweaked trees, plants or seating areas in the plans that are in the book. Instead you have to figure it all out from scratch and use the plans to inspire your layout.

Yamadori · 26/02/2024 10:07

That's the thing, isn't it? If you are trying to follow plans in a book, chances are that the layout will be the wrong size, shape, whatever, and the planting plans may very well not be the best plants for your particular garden, bearing in mind the type of soil, whether the garden slopes, if it is dry, damp, shady, hot, windy, or doesn't face in the same direction on a compass.

Far better to learn how to plan something, then use that knowledge on your own garden and spend time working out the best place for what suits your needs. A gravel path looks great, for instance, but not when you have several kids kicking it all over the grass, or you need to move your wheelie bins along it.

Original poster

MadameGalen · 26/02/2024 15:16

whippetreal · 26/02/2024 07:33

I have the garden design bible. I thought it was good for inspiration but found it really annoying that it doesn't tell you the garden dimensions on the plan. If I had an idea of garden size, I could have tweaked trees, plants or seating areas in the plans that are in the book. Instead you have to figure it all out from scratch and use the plans to inspire your layout.

Thanks -- that's really useful to know.

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Original poster

MadameGalen · 26/02/2024 15:18

Yamadori · 26/02/2024 10:07

That's the thing, isn't it? If you are trying to follow plans in a book, chances are that the layout will be the wrong size, shape, whatever, and the planting plans may very well not be the best plants for your particular garden, bearing in mind the type of soil, whether the garden slopes, if it is dry, damp, shady, hot, windy, or doesn't face in the same direction on a compass.

Far better to learn how to plan something, then use that knowledge on your own garden and spend time working out the best place for what suits your needs. A gravel path looks great, for instance, but not when you have several kids kicking it all over the grass, or you need to move your wheelie bins along it.

Yeah, totally agree. I'm not really looking to follow plans in a book though - my garden's a ridiculous shape for a start.

It's the bit about learning to plan. I'm not sure where to start with that, and thought books might be helpful. But maybe not...

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Yamadori · 26/02/2024 17:07

@MadameGalen The book I suggested upthread would help you do just that. It teaches you how to plan your own garden from scratch. I bought my copy when I was doing a garden design course at my local agricultural college.

Original poster

MadameGalen · 26/02/2024 18:12

Ah, got it, @Yamadori

I was being a bit dim there, sorry. Thank you so much for the recommendation.

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