Landscaping: what a garden plan involves

The guide starts by identifying zones. It calls the different areas of a garden "zones", and puts identifying them first, since people want different things from an outdoor space: somewhere to grow food, somewhere to rest, somewhere to eat, somewhere to play. A zone might hold a barbecue, a play area, a lawn, a water feature, or something else again.

The guide compares a garden's zones to the rooms of a house, aiming for an outdoor space that flows and feels functional. Before placing anything, it says, take note of what is already there, such as a shed, a clothesline or trees, along with where the sun rises and sets, where neighbours are, which way the wind blows and any road noise.

Ground cover comes next. The guide lists grass, mulch, decking, pebbles, pavers and artificial turf among the options, and asks that texture and colour be weighed for the aesthetic, while functionality is considered for how each area is used. It puts play mulch forward for play areas, grass for children and pets, and pavers, decking or concrete where a barbecue, fire pit or pizza oven might sit.

Drainage and irrigation are treated as groundwork for a healthy garden. The guide suggests grading the ground so water flows away from plants, which it says helps prevent pooling and root rot, and describes irrigation systems as a way to reduce upkeep. Rain catchments and grey water tanks are mentioned as further ways to ease watering.

For planting, the guide points to weather, local climate, soil and the level of maintenance a household is ready to take on. It names perennials and evergreen trees as low maintenance choices that keep colour through the year, spider plants and camellias as non-toxic and hardy where there are children or pets, and vegie patches or herb gardens for people who cook. Deciduous trees are offered for a garden that changes with the seasons.

Feature areas are described as a way to add variety, from a bench in a quiet corner or a fountain for a calming effect to a pool or spa at a bigger budget. The guide also sets out an idea it calls "borrowed landscape", inspired by traditional East Asian garden design, where a view or nearby trees can be drawn into the plan to make the garden feel as if it expands beyond its boundaries. It suggests checking how large a plant will grow and spacing it accordingly.

The guide asks how much maintenance a household is willing to commit to when choosing plants, and says feature areas can be chosen to fit aesthetic and budget. Before work begins, it suggests checking with the local council for any permit requirements.