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Note: This section is now in the archives and the advice service has finished but feel welcome to look over these previously posted questions and answers.
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Question:
My wife and I just bought our first home, unfortunately, it didn't come
with a garden. Our entire backyard slopes down toward a small creek so the
entire yard drains well. What are some rules of thumb regarding the best
location for a garden??
Answer:
There are two key factors when it comes to the best location for a garden. Firstly, conditions that will make the garden a pleasurable space for the owners, and secondly conditions that will make the garden a pleasurable space for the plants. Now, I believe that any site can be turned into a pleasurable outdoor area, both for owners and plants alike, but first let's consider the ideal.
What makes a garden a pleasurable space for the owners?
As you've no doubt come to discover, it's not much fun when your garden is on a steep slope, so a relatively flat site is probably top of the wish-list. Secondly, the best aspect for a garden would be one where there is protection from prevailing winds and a generous amount of daily sunshine (try keeping a lawn in dense shade). Thirdly, the site should have an attractive outlook - perhaps some mature trees outside the boundary fence or (in a best-case scenario) a coastal or mountainous panorama. At best, there should be nothing unattractive within view (like power pylons or industrial buildings) - and there should be no unwanted noise from traffic etc. Finally on the wish-list would be a good selection of established structural plants - mature trees and shrubs (It can take years to establish solid structural planting on a bare site).
What makes a garden a pleasurable space for the plants?
Good quality healthy soil is first, as far as the plants are concerned. Something that drains well, yet retains moisture with plenty of nutrients and circulation of air. Secondly, most plants want a good amount of sunshine, so nowhere too shady (unless you want to grow ferns). Thirdly, protection from strong winds and wandering livestock (yes, plants do worry that they're going to be eaten or trodden on). Finally, they'll need some rain (or a sprinkler) from time to time. That's about it, as far as the plants are concerned (they don't mind about noise or views).
Now, the perfect site for a garden is very rare, so the best thing is to work with what you've got and try to improve these aspects to make the space more pleasurable for plants and people.
If you are gardening on a hill, perhaps you could introduce some level areas by creating a series of terraces with retaining walls or even build a deck out over the slope?
If your garden needs protection for prevailing winds, consider planting a shelter belt of native trees and shrubs to form a natural wind barrier. This is more effective than a solid wall, as the wind just eddies over it causing more turbulence! A shelter belt, on the other hand, will diffuse the wind.
If your garden is shaded by dense trees, consider calling in a tree surgeon to thin the canopy, if it's shaded by other buildings or anything immovable, there's nothing much that can be done (just grow plants that thrive in shade and relish your cool garden in the height of summer).
If there's an unattractive outlook, try masking it with tall planting or if there's distant traffic noise, consider installing a water feature, where the sound of the water will distract attention away from the cars.
If you have a bare section, plant some fast-growing shrubs and trees which will give you a bit of structure while the slower-growing specimens catch up. Native plants often establish quicker than the exotics.
Now for the plants. There's an old saying, don't feed the plants, feed the soil. Plenty of well-rotted organic matter (compost) or manure, loosely dug in will open up the soil and improve its condition. Don't think that this is the end of it. Keeping soil healthy is an ongoing job - regular applications of organic matter - mulch with an organic cover such as bark chips or gravel to retain moisture - applications of appropriate organic or non-organic fetilisers. It might sound like hard work but your plants will be very happy.
Whatever the limitations of sunlight in your garden, grow plants which thrive in these conditions (and there is a plant for every place). A hosta in blazing sun will be as unhappy as lavender in dense shade, so place plants wisely.
Finally, provide a bit of protection for your plants with an adequate fence or hedge and ensure that they are watered on a regular basis (before they show signs of wilting!). Remember, plants generally prefer to be watered generously each time (to promote deep root growth) rather than 'little and often'.
I don't know if any of this has been of any help - I must say, the idea of a sloping section down to a creek at the bottom of your garden sounds quite nice. (I guess it depends on the angle of slope)
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