Garden planning ideas inspiration comes from many sources, including books, magazines, gardening centers, websites, and talking with others who already have a garden or just like to garden. Gardeners have their own unique ideas that are helpful in transforming small garden spaces into beautiful outdoor spaces. A great place to start is by finding books and magazines that provide gardening inspiration.
Gardening inspires people of all ages to take control of their gardens. This can include the young professional who want to have a more elegant looking garden, to the family who loves to grow their own fresh vegetables, herbs, fruits, and flowers, to the retiree who loves the fresh air and sunshine, and to the homeowner who wants to have a garden that is aesthetically pleasing to the eye, but also helps them get much needed fresh air and exercise. In addition, there are many small garden spaces that are difficult to use for gardening. One example is a backyard space that is surrounded by walls, fences, or a house.
Many people turn to technology for help. One small garden space may be too small to grow anything other than a few shrubs, and may have a fence that crumbles into the grass each year due to wind and rain. For this small garden, it is common to use free standing garden furniture. However, when planning function gardening tips and inspiring garden designs, consider using small tables and chairs. They provide ample seating for reading, talking, or just relaxing in the garden. They are also a great place to put the gardening hose and spade.
For those who need inspiration for their garden, the internet is filled with valuable links. There are blog sites where gardeners to exchange information on what they are doing and how they are doing it. For instance, there is a blog site called Small Greenspace where gardeners share photos of their work, ideas, and where they place their gardens. The Garden Delight site has an inspirational garden featured that includes garden planning ideas as well as practical tips and tricks. Garden Design Tips can provide gardeners with several decorating ideas. These are just two of the many websites that provide inspiration for function and design garden planning ideas.
There are also schools of gardening. At North Carolina State University, there is the School of Culinary and Hospitality Arts where students study both the culinary arts and the hospitality industry. Culinary arts students learn to create simple but elegant meals while learning about presentation, menu planning and development, and business techniques. Hospitality arts students learn about developing a business plan, hiring employees, and marketing services for a business. At Belmont College in Nashville, Tennessee, students study criminal justice, human resource management, and education in the healthcare and related areas.
At Western Carolina University, students pursue degrees in horticulture, earth sciences, viticulture, and poultry and animal husbandry. Students find that these classes provide garden design ideas as well as planting techniques for their degree programs. Students enjoy the variety of subjects available and include botany, environmental science, and physics in their coursework.
The University of Minnesota’s College of Education offers a number of programs in design and landscape architecture. Students pursue Associates Degrees in landscape architecture from this university. Students gain a better understanding of how gardens are designed and what elements are involved. The Master’s program teaches professional artistry students how to design and maintain a garden. Students also learn about water conservation and landscape irrigation. Art appreciation is stressed in the Master’s program.
A few universities offer undergraduate courses in landscape architecture. At Middle Tennessee State University, students can pursue Bachelor’s degrees in landscape architecture. This program gives students a comprehensive overview of all aspects of designing a garden. It starts with a fundamental knowledge of soil, water, plant life and architecture. The Bachelor’s program includes classes in botany, color theory, and design principles. Students then move into the field by participating in internships or attending classes at the Master’s level.
