Garden Design and Creation |
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Section 1 - The Boundaries
Section 2 - The House
Section 3 - Other Features
Section 4 - Level Changes
Section 5 - Sun Path
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To each corner of the garden, take two measurements from the house, with as wide an angle as possible. This is called triangulation, and it is more accurate than measuring round the edges, which may not be square. Triangulation can also be used to plot irregular or curved boundaries – just record pairs of measurements to a series of points round the boundary.
Also take measurements from the house to the boundaries (unless the boundary comes right up to the house wall).
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Measure the positions of the main features of the house, such as doors and windows, and mark on the sketch. Include outside taps, drains manhole covers etc, as well as passages, gates, garages and outbuildings.
If there isn’t enough room on your main sketch plan you can record the house details on a separate sketch.
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Record the position of other features – patio, steps, walls, sheds, trees, borders etc. You can measure from the boundary at right angles, but it is better to triangulate if the feature is a long way from a boundary.
Mark on the tree canopies, including overhanging trees in neighbouring gardens.
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Record the position and height of any level changes, steps or slopes on your sketch (as above). To make an estimate of the rise of a slope, use a string line from the top and a spirit level to check the line is level. Then measure the vertical distance from the string to the ground. Repeat this where there are significant changes of slope.
It can also be useful to draw a separate cross-section sketch to show level changes.
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Finally record the direction of North, and make a note of any areas that catch the sun - for example at midday, or in the evening, where you might want to sit out.
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