Hello,

We began by determining
the sensations
 that you’d like to find in your garden cauréation, and then defined the desired style or ambience. We then listed use and and constraints of your space. Now that we’ve decided which plants to plant, let’s talk about the time it takes to create and, above all, the time it takes to maintain it.

 

Based on this, we’re going to guide the choices for the creation to come. In our fast-paced, time-constrained society, we can look at our exterior from two angles

– The leisure garden, a place where you can clear your mind and recharge your batteries by tending it.

– The living garden, a space that should require as little maintenance as possible, but a place where you can have a good time, a bit like an outdoor dining room… what’s your case? that’s what we’re going to look at here.

 

Take a blank sheet of paper and NOTE down your answers – this will help you later.

 

First and foremost:

When do you want to enjoy your garden?

  • o Primary or secondary residence,
  • o Use only in fine weather, or in all seasons.
  • o Day garden and/or night garden.

 

In the case of a second home, for example, the time allowed is much less, and you don’t want the garden to turn into a chore every vacation.

 

Would you like to :

  • o do it yourself
  • o get help (a little or a lot, for which tasks: planting, small masonry work…)
  • o have work done by specialists: gardeners

 

You should of course bear in mind that the more qualified a gardener is, the higher his rates will be. At this stage, the notion of budget can guide your decision.

 

Would you like to :

  • o do it yourself,
  • o get help (a little or a lot, for which tasks: pruning plants, flowering, etc.)
  • o have it done by specialists. (Why: desire, lack of time, technical resources or budget)

 

Time required for maintenance :

Don’t lie to yourself and really estimate what you want and what you can spend.

You don’t want …

In summer, spend more than … hours per day/week on maintenance (e.g. it takes ¼ h to: manually water 6 large pots, or mow 100m² )

In winter, spend more than … hours per day/week/month on maintenance (e.g. 5 h per month maintenance = pruning and raking a small hedge or large tree).

 

Finally, speaking of time, how quickly do you want to achieve the final result (and budget) for your landscaping project?

Depending on the size and age of the plants chosen, your garden can be finished immediately, but at a higher cost (especially for large surfaces >1000m²), or if your budget is tighter, you can plan ahead for two or three years to achieve the same result. This is important because it will influence your choice of budget, so choose what suits you best:

>I want to obtain the expected result immediately

>I have the time and can wait 1 to 2 years for the desired result.

>I’m on a tight budget and prefer to wait and give the garden time to settle in.

 

These questions will help you define your profile and better choose the plants and garden style that’s right for you.

Tight budget and little time to devote to the garden: in this case, you’ll choose perennials that are well adapted to your region (without risk), while a minimalist/contemporary style will be easier to maintain. Avoid plants that require too much maintenance: frequent watering of water-loving plants, plants that need pruning several times a year, plants that are sensitive to disease (e.g. oidium) and require treatment…Think of grasses, bushes that tolerate dry substrates…go to plant swaps where some people will give you plants that are almost invasive. Limit yourself to a few eye-catching, structuring plants. In summer, a few cherry tomatoes and/or strawberries will delight your taste buds. Use system D 😉

 

High budget and little time to devote to the garden: in this case, for example, you can afford to plant mature specimens. Treat yourself and, above all, think about installing automatic watering – large potted specimens are ideal for you. Avoid large lawns that require frequent mowing, and large vegetable gardens. Why not create a pool that immediately creates a warm atmosphere without too much maintenance? Call on a landscape gardener to create a world that suits you, and then maintain it.

 

Limited budget and time to devote to the garden: In this case, time is money, because you can take cuttings… Clever ideas for a beautiful garden decor park browse blogs and plant exchange markets. Become the king of cuttings, and in addition to having a beautiful garden, you’ll have lots of new friends. Recycle, reclaim and divert objects from their primary use, and you’ll turn your outdoor landscaping into an enchanting garden. A vegetable garden is essential, so you can eat well for cheap. From idleness comes imagination, so it’s up to you!

 

High budget and time to devote to the garden: You can then choose rarer, more fragile subjects that will require the most maintenance. All garden styles are possible, even the time-consuming au naturel, English or Japanese garden, where you can express your mood every day by raking your gravel in a specific direction. Travel through your garden and create different spaces to suit you. Create a diversified vegetable garden with a mix of vegetables, fruit and cut flowers… create your own garden of Eden with no limits. Call in a landscape architect to further develop your garden’s potential.

Next step: how to use water…