Step 1 – Planning Your Dream Garden – Start with a Plan

Creating your dream garden can start with a pencil and paper – no digging required.

Before you even lift a trowel or think about plant names, the real foundation of a beautiful garden is a well-considered plan. This first step is often overlooked, but it sets the tone for everything that follows. Whether you’re dreaming of a serene retreat, a buzzing entertaining space, or a haven for wildlife, it all begins here.

This blog is the first in our five-part series, walking you through the simple steps to create a garden that truly reflects you and your lifestyle. We’ve distilled insights from nearly 1000 garden projects and our award-winning design team into a digestible, inspiring guide – no green fingers necessary.

Step 1 – What’s Already There?

It sounds obvious, but many people skip the essential process of analysing what they’ve already got. Orientation, levels, and scale can all make or break a design.

On a small plot, a hand-drawn sketch might do the trick – it doesn’t need to be a work of art. For larger or sloping gardens, a professional topographic survey is a wise investment and can be used for future planning applications as well.

Quick ways to map your plot:

• Check the Planning Portal – If your house is under 10 years old or has had work done, your local council may have downloadable plans.
• Use Google Earth – A birds-eye view can be surprisingly useful.
• DIY it – Tape measures, pacing out distances, and a bit of graph paper can get you started. Estimating levels with notes like “steep bank here” or “2 steps up” is enough at this stage.

Be sure to mark doors, windows, poor fencing, views, problem areas, and sunny spots. You’ll likely find ideas start forming already – “seating here for morning sun?”, “screen this view?”

And don’t forget to highlight what you already love about your space. Many people are drawn to a home because of its garden – or its potential. Is there a view from an upstairs window you love? A tree you’re fond of? Perhaps you’ve always wanted a Monkey Puzzle tree or a rockery – write it all down.

Step 2 – Make a Wish (List)

Give yourself permission to dream. What would your ideal garden include? Start with the practical, then branch into the aspirational.

• Practical essentials – bin stores, play areas, veggie patches, dog-proofing, washing lines
• Aspirational ideas – firepits, hot tubs, water features, pergolas
• Future additions – yoga studios, streams, outdoor kitchens

This isn’t a contract. It’s simply a way to start capturing how you’d like to live in your garden. You can (and will) refine it later.

Step 3 – How Will You Use the Space?

This is arguably the most important bit.

Think less about what will be in the garden, and more about how you’ll use it. Do you want to host parties? Cook outside? Sit quietly with a book in the sun? Do the kids need a space to play football? Will it be a retreat for one, or a gathering place for ten?

The answers here will shape the flow, the feel, and the functionality of the design.

And ask yourself – or your partner – the Hacienda Question:

“If you could have any garden in the world, what would it be?”

Ignore the practicalities for now. You may say “a wildflower meadow,” or “a crisp, clean spa garden,” or even “a Moroccan courtyard.” We may not be able to create acres on a terrace, but the feel of your dream is something we can absolutely work with.

Ready to Start Sketching?

You don’t need to be artistic – a rough plan, a few notes, and a pinch of daydreaming is more than enough to get going. We often begin our own design consultations with exactly this process.

If you’d like to share your notes or sketches, feel free to send them over – we’d love to see them and might even sketch up a suggested layout to help you with the next steps.

Next up: Defining Your Garden Style

In the next blog, we’ll help you explore what sort of garden style speaks to you – whether it’s contemporary calm, cottage charm, or something altogether different. It’s not about following trends – it’s about finding the look and feel that makes you feel at home.