Garden Design, Construction and Gardening Articles
This articles section brings together clear, practical writing on garden design, landscape construction, planting, and how outdoor spaces are planned, built, and maintained over time. It is intended as a growing resource for homeowners who want to better understand their gardens, make informed decisions, and avoid costly or short lived outcomes.
The articles span a wide range of topics, from foundational garden design principles and plant selection, to construction considerations, materials, maintenance, and emerging approaches such as online garden design services. Some pieces focus on strategy and planning, others on practical detail, but all are grounded in real world garden projects and Australian conditions.
Rather than offering generic inspiration, the emphasis is on explaining how and why design decisions are made. This includes understanding climate, soil, water use, budget constraints, and how gardens evolve as they mature. The goal is to help readers connect ideas with action, whether they are building a garden themselves, working with a contractor, or using an online garden plan as a starting point.
Over time, this collection will continue to expand to reflect different garden styles, site conditions, and ways of working. Read together, the articles are intended to support thoughtful, resilient gardens that function well now and into the future.
How to Plan a Low-Maintenance Garden Design in Australia
A practical guide to planning a low-maintenance garden in Australia. Learn what matters most before you design, plant, or build your garden.
Why landscape design feels so expensive
Why landscape design can seem expensive, how fees compare to construction costs, and what homeowners are really paying for when they hire a professional designer.
What is the most expensive part of landscaping and what is the cheapest?
A practical breakdown of landscaping costs, from the most expensive construction elements to the cheapest, and where design fits in overall.
What You Should Be Paying for a Landscape Design
A clear breakdown of landscape design phases, what each stage includes, and how fees are typically structured using real construction budgets.
6 Garden Planning Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid the most common garden planning mistakes before you sketch anything. Learn what goes wrong early and how to plan your garden properly from the start.
How to Design a Garden Layout: 5 Practical Patterns That Work
Learn how to design a garden layout with confidence. Five practical patterns to plan your front, back, and side garden the right way.
How much are landscape design fees and what should you actually be paying?
Landscape design fees vary widely. Learn what drives costs, typical fee ranges, and what most Australian homeowners should expect to pay.
How to Design a Garden Plan (And When to Get Help)
Wondering how to design a garden plan? Learn what to do yourself, when projects stall, and when getting help saves time, money, and stress.
When DIY Gardening Actually Saves Money and When It Does Not
DIY gardening can save money, but not always. Learn when doing it yourself works, when it costs more, and how to balance DIY with expert help.
Are Garden Design Apps Worth It? Can You Really Design a Garden Using an App?
Can you design a garden using an app? We explain what garden design apps are good for, where they fall short, and when professional design still matters in Australia.
What’s a Realistic Landscaping Budget in Australia?
Wondering how much to budget for landscaping in Australia? Learn realistic costs, why m² rates fail, and how to plan your garden without overspending.
What Is the Difference Between a Garden Designer and a Landscape Designer in Australia?
Confused about the difference between a garden designer, landscape designer, landscape architect, horticulturalist, or landscaper in Australia? This guide explains what each role actually does, when the title matters, and how these professionals work together on residential gardens so you can choose the right help and avoid costly mistakes.
When a urban gardens feels overwhelming: how to design a calm green oasis
Small outdoor spaces often feel overwhelming not because they’re too small, but because too many decisions are left unresolved. With the right design choices made upfront, even the most compact courtyard can become a calm, generous urban sanctuary that works hard and feels easy to live with.
There Is No Such Thing as a No-Maintenance Garden
There is no such thing as a no-maintenance garden.
But there is such a thing as a garden that fits your life.
Low-maintenance gardens aren’t about doing nothing. They’re about making the right design decisions early, so care becomes predictable, manageable, and calm over time.