How to measure your garden [part 1]

by Rachel Mathews

The video above is for anyone suffering from tapemeasureaphobia!

Yes, we finally have the first of the infamous garden in Spain video series up and running…. hoorah – well not quite hoorah, more horror. I don’t know what is worse, being in front of the camera to do these (yes I do feel like someone auditioning for a bad reality tv series) or the horrific editing process where I have to sit through hours of gaffs!

So why would I put myself through this horror (other than to make my family and friends cry with laughter)?

Because it is REALLY important you measure your garden if you are going to design it well. The survey is the first step to successfully designing your garden, without it you won’t succeed. Yes the reality is as harsh as that…

The other aim of the video is to show you, there isn’t anything to be afraid of. No rocket science involved, no sorcery, just a tape measure and a sheet or two of paper.

So watch the video, laugh if you have to but most importantly get out there and survey your garden!

Next week we will look at video part 2 – How to draw up your garden survey to scale (it really isn’t *that* scary).

Leave a comment if the video has been helpful, or if you have a question you would like answered on garden surveying.

If you would like another FREE lesson, download it from the Beginner’s Successful Garden Design Course (sample lesson is halfway down page)

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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }

Carole December 2, 2009 at 12:45 am

Great video! I’m sure there were no available gardens at home, so you just HAD to travel to sunny Spain to shoot this video! What a beautiful place to photograph in. I’m focusing on that because my mind is rebelling from the geometry you are about to teach us. Haha. It’s amazing how few people actually measure their gardens and end up with shrubs that get way bigger than the intended space. Planning ahead of time is really important. Thanks for teaching us how.

Rachel Mathews December 2, 2009 at 3:56 am

That’s correct Carole, not a single garden in England was available – I had no choice but fly to Spain…

Don’t worry, I will make the next part -drawing up the survey to scale as painless as possible – if I can do it, anyone can! ;o)

Alison Kerr December 5, 2009 at 5:09 pm

Fun video. You made it look like something I’d like to do, and that’s saying something!

Rachel Mathews December 6, 2009 at 4:47 am

Glad to hear it Alison – get that tape measure out!

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