Garden Planning

Aug 20

2 min read

Explore the work of people investigating, documenting and teaching about plants, ecosystems and environmental change.

Shanti Plants - The Earth Provides

Elevated natural-light view of a lush subtropical garden with wide gravel paths winding between layered vegetables, herbs, shrubs, native plants and young fruit trees. A planted swale directs water through the lower garden, while raised beds, rocks, logs, a birdbath, rainwater tank and small sheltered work area support productive growing, drainage and wildlife habitat. — An elevated view of a well-planned subtropical garden shows accessible paths, layered productive and native plantings, a planted drainage swale, habitat features and a compact work area integrated into a practical, resilient landscape.

Garden planning turns observations and goals into a layout that can be built, used and maintained. A good plan begins with existing conditions: boundaries, access, sun, water movement, soil, vegetation, utilities, hazards and the people or wildlife that use the place.

What This Index Covers

This index covers site assessment, goals and priorities, base maps, zones of use, paths and access, water and drainage, plant selection and spacing, habitat, structures, services, staging, budgets, maintenance and review. It encourages design that can adapt as plants grow and conditions change.

Browse Resources

Browse the resource areas currently organised under this index. Links can be added as reviewed articles and records are published.

Site assessment - Recording dimensions, levels, sun, wind, water, soil and existing life.

Goals and users - Defining food, habitat, shade, learning, beauty, access or other needs.

Movement and access - Planning safe paths, work areas and inclusive access.

Water and soil - Slowing, directing and storing water without creating hazards.

Planting design - Matching mature size, function, relationships and maintenance.

Staging and review - Building in practical phases and learning from performance.

Read First

Before using these resources for identification, growing, harvesting, conservation, community work or other practical decisions, read:

Map Existing Conditions Before Designing

Mature Plant Size, Roots, Services and Boundaries

Water Movement, Earthworks and Local Approvals

Coverage and Evidence

Plans are hypotheses that should be checked on site and revised. Confirm underground and overhead services, boundaries, drainage outlets, easements and required approvals before digging or building. Plant lists must be checked for local suitability, weed risk, toxicity and mature size. Water-harvesting or earthworks must not redirect damaging flows onto neighbours or waterways.

The Earth's Resource Map and Learn library are being built progressively. Indexed means that a topic or resource can be connected to its identity, source and broad context; it does not mean that every claim has been verified or localised. Evidence is assessed claim by claim. Where information is missing, uncertain, restricted or location-dependent, that limitation should remain visible.

Last Reviewed

19 August 2026

This date records review of this index-page copy and its resource structure. Individual articles, records, laws, project details and evidence may have different publication and review dates.