making drawings/plans for new garden layout

[what..the?]

hello there I would like to start planning out my new garden, not planting wise but physical feature wise. I have a couple of questions.

1) can a use a diy laser measure to measure out the dimensions of the garden, or do they only work on small indoor distances?

2) Is there a well recommended free garden design/planner software?

3) Other than looking at other peoples gardens and stealing ideas and watching gardening shows (for which their aren't many now - used to love Ground force) any other advice would be greatly received. I am helping other people in their gardens in return for helping on the planting side.

This will be a big project covering a large area so I expect it to take a couple of years. It may also not start straight away purely as I want to see if I can create a parking area and driveway, I don't want to finish the garden just to dig it all up again. I wouldn't mind starting a plan now though and work long term on the plan itself.

Thanks in advance

[woofgang]

The first thing you need to do is to make a list of "must haves" and "will not accept at any prices" then take a look at your soil, moisture retention, ph, friability. Which way does the garden face and is there any shade?
Then you might like to join Pinterest. Thousands of people post garden and outdoor living images on there from all over the world, you will get loads of good ideas. had you thought of doing a mood board or ideas book to collect together bits and pieces that you like or that inspire you?
If there is any large scale hard landscaping to be done (paving or concrete removed, trees cut down and so on), do that first so that your decks are completely clear.
I do envy you....

[what..the?]

lol come on round kettles on!

[Zacs-Master]

A laser measurer will work outside, as long as there's a solid surface to measure to.

[Zacs-Master]

And from!

[erin-x]

My brother is a landscape gardener and i'm sure he uses Google SketchUp to design his gardens... http://sketchup.google.com/

[what..the?]

zac i wondered if i could just use a long thin section of wood and stake it in the ground, like the highways or whoever that stand round town in high vis, one with a tripod and one with a stick, maybe their just Russian spy's?

[woofgang]

excuse me for the hijack but erin, does your bro source plants? might he know where to get very small miniature roses?
http://www.theanswerb.../Question1129014.html

[what..the?]

cheeky devil lol :D

[Zacs-Master]

You could do. But you're best starting with the side of the house facing the garden and measuring from that.

[rowanwitch]

BBC virtual garden is easy to use and a good way to play around with ideas... a bit limited in choices though,

I have done a few gardens Do you want moden, romantic, easy to care for, platspaces, a water garden, vegetables etc

(Chelsea) or the Hampton Court one for amazing idas