Any gardener will benefit from visiting better homes and gardens, testing gardens and providing endless inspiration for people who like to dig the soil. Walking along the garden path, you can learn garden design, plant selection, and how to add the right decoration to provide a unique style for the garden. Here are some garden design ideas inspired by a recent visit to the test garden.

Design concept 1: waterscape adds interest to any garden.

The test garden shows several ways to integrate waterscape into the garden. Water can be formally used as sculptural features, such as testing fountains in the central square of the garden, or imitating natural informal, free-form shapes, such as a swimming pool with gentle waves falling into the edge of rocks. Whether used formally or informally, water can bring soothing elements to the landscape and add visual appeal.

Other ideas to try in your own garden include a geometric swimming pool or water flowing along the side of the steps, which is a garden design concept from the Middle East. The garden center offers a variety of fountains and self-help swimming pools for budget limited visitors.

Design tip: remember that light makes water active. Place the water function in a place where you can catch the sun to make the water bounce and shine.

Design concept 2: integrating vegetables into the garden

In summer, there are few things that taste better than juicy grapes, ripe tomatoes, or crisp cucumbers picked from the garden. A vegetable garden is not necessarily an unattractive production area. The test garden shows us an edible garden, which is both beautiful and practical.

The test garden combines the design concept of French Potager or ornamental garden. In the formal design of vegetables, vegetables, herbs and edible flowers, use texture, color and height to create eye-catching patterns. The shrubs in the test garden use wooden framed beds of different geometric shapes, grow vegetables and herbs, and are separated by wide gravel paths for easy use.

Integrate the design quality of pottery pots into your own garden by planting vegetables in groups instead of long rows and creating patterns with different plants. Use edible and ornamental plants to create attractive color and texture combinations. Many vegetables, such as rainbow beets, red cabbage and curly collards, are attractive plants of their own. Display these decorative foods in your own bed and stuff other vegetables into flower beds for a beautiful effect.

The design suggests that many flowers become useful companion plants for vegetables by restraining garden pests and attracting wasps and bees that prey on garden pests and pollinators. Pelargonium repels cabbage butterfly, Calendula repels deer and Petunia, repels potato and pumpkin beetle. Make full use of these and other supporting plants in the design of the garden.

Design concept 3: garden path provides aesthetic and practical functions

In addition to the smallest garden, garden trails are essential. A path leads to the garden without trampling on plants and keeps feet dry from the soil. In addition to these practical considerations, garden trails can create visual impact and enhance the structure and design of the garden.

The test garden has a wide paved footpath that surrounds the garden and intersects the gravel and slate paths. This sidewalk network illustrates how garden path design affects a person's journey through the landscape.

Narrow winding roads can be further explored, while wide straight paths provide clear destinations. The surface material of the path also sets the tone of the garden. A muddy brick path adds a formal, structured element to the garden, while the satisfying gravel rattles underfoot, creating an informal air.

Design tip: when designing a garden path, consider the actual function of the path. If it will be accessed as a service, it must be wide enough for the wheelbarrow. If you need to avoid snow, choose a solid surface that can withstand the shovel.

Design concept 4: use hedges to filter views

Hedges act as natural fences that define the boundaries of the garden, increase height, and filter out unattractive views. There are two rows of Platycladus orientalis on three sides of the test garden. The garden is selected from the street and turned into an urban garden oasis. The dark green hedge is also the striking background of the perennial border in front of it.

Design concept 5: include storage and work areas in your garden plan

When designing your own garden, don't ignore the need for work areas and storage space. The test garden shows that the functional space in the garden is also beautiful. In the test garden, the tool shed is disguised as an antique garden house, and even the compost bin adds a fascinating design element.

Gardeners have accumulated a large number of tools, equipment and supplies, which are best stored in waterproof places for children and animals. Place the storage structure in an existing hard surface area, a convenient area next to a wall or fence. Use paint, decorations, wall lamps, potted plants and other decorative elements to lay basic prefabricated sheds, or incorporate simple and practical structures into the background, using plaid and climbing plants, tall grass or other natural screens.

Design tip: consider camouflage your storage device as a built-in outdoor seat, use a waterproof storage box with a hinged cover at the top, which can be used as a bench seat.

Design concept 6: use low wood deck to increase your outdoor living space at lower cost

Low wooden decks are an attractive alternative to concrete courtyards and create a clear area for outdoor recreation. If the deck is no more than one or two feet above the ground, there is usually no need for railings, which helps to reduce costs. (be sure to check the rules in your area.) Mahogany and cedar are good choices for decorative materials. Both are resistant to decay, cracking, warping and the weather turning pleasant grey.

Design concept 7: use garden decorations and decorations to create a perfect shape

Just as accessories are often used for equipment, proper decoration can make a garden special. From a colorful bench that can serve as the focal point of the garden, but also can sit down to enjoy the flowers to the garden obelisk, increase vertical interest and provide support for climbing plants, the test garden shows how garden decoration can enhance people's enjoyment of the landscape. Other garden ideas include bird baths and houses, sun, artificial lighting and sculpture.

Design tip: garden decoration does not need to break the bank. Increase interest in gardens by finding or changing the use of items such as old trucks filled with potted plants, converting leaking kettles into planters, or old doors or fences used as grids. Use your imagination and don't be afraid to incorporate a sense of humor. Your garden should reflect your personality.