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23 November 2009
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how to be a gardener - The complete online guide

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Lifestyle
Gardening
Part One
Part Two


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Planting schemes and themes

Planting styles

Combining plants

Do your research

How to draw plans

Test your knowledge

Go further

Plant lists

Interactives

Glossary

Credits

Programme information

Help with plugins

Gardening newsletter

Site map

home

Module 1

Module 2

Module 3

Module 4

Module 5

Module 6

Module 7

Module 8

3 - Do your research

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Remember the 5 P's

• Proper
  
• Planning
  
• Prevents
  
• Poor
  
• Performance

Rememebr the 5 P's
Do your research
All professional designers do. Why? Because it makes you think the whole thing through. You’ll work out the best combinations of height, shape, colour, plus seasonal succession. But ensure that you plant the right plants in the right place to do the right job.
Once you’ve decided where your bed/border is going to go, make a list of the plants that suit the style of border you want, and the bed’s specific conditions: sunlight levels, soil type, moisture, shelter, and so on. Don't forget the effect tree roots can have extracting valuable summer moisture.
There are heaps of resources to help you carry out research:

• Take a look at the BBC gardening website plant database
  
• Many plant encyclopaedias have a wide range of plants
  
• More detailed plant books offer suggestions relating to specific conditions: dry gardens, shady gardens and coastal gardens
  
• Gardening magazines have sections and features on specific plants and styles - go to the library and check the annual index to find the right month
  
• Have a walk around your neighbourhood. Look at what is growing well in other people’s gardens
  
• Visit local gardens open under the (External) National Gardens Scheme
  
• Join a local gardening club and talk to other gardeners
  
• Keep a garden notebook handy and jot down those plants you see and like. Don’t worry, you will not be thought of as a geek;
  everyone does it

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3. Planting schemes and themes

Introduction
Planting styles
Combining plants
Do your research
  How to draw plans
Test your knowledge
Go further

Highlights

Plant lists

Plant lists

View plant lists on:

• Tall and upright plants
• Red plants

Video

Video

The supreme challenge of planting is getting the right style. Find out more here.

• Colour wheel
• Planting styles
• Planning new borders

Interactive

Interactive
Experiment with the colour wheel feature , or take a fun attribute quiz to see what style of garden may suit you.
(External) Requires Flash 5

Useful links

• Create a virtual garden
• Techniques in the garden
• Plant profiles
• Design projects
• Plant database