Part 1: Turning Gardening Dreams into Reality

Happy New Year!

It’s officially 2023. Does that feel weird to you? It does to me. 2022 was such an up-and-down year. The first half dragged on, and then poof! The year was over.

The beauty of a New Year is thinking about what could be. I’m not much for New Year’s Resolutions, but I like to look at some of my dreams and see what I can put into reality.

January is a great time to start thinking about your garden dreams. It’s far too cold to do any projects outside, but dreaming happens when it’s warm inside.

Start with a dream

What dreams do you have for your yard and garden? Grab a piece of paper and start jotting down some ideas. Make them big or small.

Don’t let budget or fear hold you back right now. Get all those ideas on paper. This is dreaming, and dreaming is FREE!

If you’re a visual person, try Pinterest. Add all the photos that make you smile.

My dream is a great big pergola, garden benches, raised beds and gravel walkways. I love the idea of wandering through my vegetable garden mixed in with my flowers.

Rank your ideas

Choose your top idea, the one you can’t live without, and put it at the top of your list.

Then list the rest below in the order of importance or need. This helps sort all those fun and crazy ideas you got out of your head.

Remember, those ideas all have merit. You might not be able to implement them all this year, but they’re all great ideas!

Choose your garden spot

You’ve got great ideas. Now, decide where you’re going to put it!

Stand in your window and look out into the garden. If the weather allows, wander through the yard and stand where you want to put your idea.

My dream of a pergola will go right in the middle of my veggie garden. I’ll be able to see it from my kitchen window or sitting on my deck.

Are you wanting to create a hidden space? Maybe, it’s a focal garden you want. Consider all angles in your yard and how it will look from different spots.

Pick your style

This is where the fun happens. Are you a country cottage garden lover? Do you love minimalist gardens? How about symmetrical lines?

This is where Pinterest will be helpful. If you did create a gardening board, go back to those photos and see if a theme shows up.

Don’t worry if the plants in those photos aren’t the ones that grow here. This is where we figure out your style. It’s about the layout and shape of the gardens in those photos that matter.

Sketch out a design

Draw out a rough idea of your plan. This isn’t the time to get your tape measure out. Create a basic garden shape and put those ideas on paper.

Make sure to include any existing buildings, trees, driveways, utilities and the sun's direction.

Have some fun

Take your time on these steps. There isn’t any rush. Scroll on Pinterest and start pinning.

This is also the time to make multiple sketches. Everything goes! Don’t hold back on your ideas. Remember that dreaming is FREE!

With each dream put on paper, you’ll start seeing themes. It’s these drawings we’re going to use next for forming a plan!

Stay tuned for Part 2!

Let’s Dream!

Heidi