Learning About Landscaping

A garden is an organized area, normally outside, intended for the exhibit, cultivation, or viewing of certain types of flora and other living things, as an ideal place for solitary or social interaction. The single most distinguishing feature distinguishing even the wildest of gardens from a typical one is structure. Gardens have a purpose, some may be aesthetic, while others may be for practical purposes, but without fail structures are present. A garden is not an empty space; instead, it has a purpose. Gardens vary in scale and type, from lawns to waterfalls and bridges.

While it is not uncommon to see a backyard with flowers and plants flourishing, generally most residential gardens are designed for more utilitarian reasons. Flowers are often grown for their aesthetic beauty, however, the main reason for most gardens is for their production of food. Plants are grown primarily for their produce, either as food themselves or for selling. Nearly all gardens contain plants that provide food, either directly or indirectly, for the residents of the home.

Landscaping and design are important, especially if you are interested in showcasing your plants. A well-designed garden is aesthetically pleasing and provides a pleasant focal point and backdrop for other plants and flowers. While the primary focus of landscaping and design is aesthetics, careful planning is also required, especially when it comes to selecting a plant and location for a garden. For example, plant varieties that do well together will often do poorly when planted in proximity to each other. Similarly, plants that need equal amounts of sun, shade and moisture will usually do better in different locations.

Irrigation and watering are also a consideration when designing your garden. Do you want your plants to have all of the sun and shade they need, or do you prefer them to receive all of the water they need? Watering is always preferable to over-watering plants, but you should not water your plants excessively, since this can encourage the growth of fungus and mold on the leaves and roots. Powdery mildew is a condition that can be remedied by applying fungicide, however.

You should make certain that your garden has enough drainage, because some plants can actually drown during periods of heavy rainfall or flooding. Moisture is another essential element for healthy plants, so you will want to pay particular attention to watering. It is recommended that you water your garden only once a week during the summer months, and then every two weeks or so during the winter months.

Gardening can be an enjoyable and rewarding hobby, but can also be quite difficult to master. Landscaping and design play an important part in the success of your garden, and you will want to learn as much as you can about gardening in general before you begin to try your hand at it. Reading books and articles on the subject, visiting gardens in your area, talking to other landscapers, and taking classes on design and landscape architecture are all good ways to learn more about landscaping. You may also wish to get some advice about starting a gardening business so that you can work from home. It is certainly possible to make a living with garden designing, and there are many job opportunities available for those who have an eye for the beautiful landscape and the simple elegance of well-designed gardens.