Landscape Design Ideas - Create a Better Looking Garden from Udemy

Do you look at your garden and think, that's kind of boring.

Do you want to create a better looking garden but don't know how to start the process?

Do you ask yourself why some gardens seem so special?

If you answered yes to these questions then this course is for you.

This course will show you tricks that professional landscape designers use to create better spaces. It will show you lots of examples both from my garden and others so that you can really understand the design principals.

I am a big believer in learning the "WHY" and not just the "HOW". Once you understand the why, the how becomes so much easier to learn and understand. In this course I will explain design principals and then show you why they work so you know when and when not to use them.

I'll not only give you the technical information, but I will also provide you with my personal insights. You will learn things that took me a lifetime to learn by trial and error.

The only thing holding you back is a lack of knowledge and perhaps a bit of fear of the unknown. It is time to take the plunge and enter a new chapter in your garden travels.

I guarantee that I will simplify the whole design process into manageable steps that you can easily learn.

But this will only happen if you take the first step - Start the course today. Your plants will love you for it.

I CAN'

Robert

What's inside

Learning objectives

This course will illustrate landscape design principals while giving you new ideas for your garden.
It will teach concepts like focal points, proper scale, use of contrasts and balance.
Create a sun/shade map of the garden

Learn how to place artwork to best effect
Manipulate perspective to make a garden look bigger than it really is.

This course will illustrate landscape design principals while giving you new ideas for your garden.
It will teach concepts like focal points, proper scale, use of contrasts and balance.
Create a sun/shade map of the garden
Learn how to place artwork to best effect
Manipulate perspective to make a garden look bigger than it really is.

Syllabus

Start the Course

This lecture will introduce you to the course and outline its content.

Who Am I

Design Basics

Describes important design principals

Visits the Toronto Botanical Garden and critiques their design to better understand how to apply design principals

Learn about different garden styles.

Shows you how to create a sun map.

In this video I go through my planning process to design a new or existing bed

Winter is a great time to assess the garden and to plan changes for the spring. The snow allows you to better see the bones of the garden.

This is just a fun little tour of a temporary sculpture display in a botanical garden. It illustrates the importance of adding things other than plants to a garden and how to use colors other than flowers.

One of the best places to get design ideas is in your neighborhood. This free eBook book gives you examples and shows you how to critique other gardens.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores design principles like focal points, scale, contrast, and balance, which are essential for creating visually appealing and harmonious outdoor spaces

Teaches how to manipulate perspective, which is a valuable skill for making small gardens appear larger and more inviting

Includes a visit to the Toronto Botanical Garden to critique its design, which provides practical insights into applying design principles in real-world settings

Shows how to create a sun map, which is a foundational step in planning a garden that thrives in specific light conditions

Discusses how winter can be a great time to assess the garden, which allows learners to plan changes for the spring and better see the garden's structure

Suggests that learners create a complete design drawing, which may require additional tools and materials not readily available

Reviews summary

Practical landscape design for home gardens

According to learners, this course provides a clear and practical introduction to landscape design principles specifically for home gardens. Students particularly appreciate the instructor's engaging explanations and the use of many real-world examples and demonstrations that make concepts easy to understand and apply. Many found the focus on the "why" behind design choices very helpful. While well-suited for beginners looking to improve their own space, some reviewers noted it may lack depth for those seeking advanced or professional-level instruction. Overall, it's considered a highly effective starting point for creating a better-looking garden.

Explains the reasoning behind design choices.

"Understanding the 'WHY' behind the design principles made so much more sense than just the 'HOW'."

"Really appreciated the focus on the reasons things work, not just telling you what to do."

"Learning why principles work helps you know when and when not to use them."

"Gives you a solid understanding of the logic behind successful garden design."

Excellent starting point for new gardeners.

"This course is perfect for someone like me who is just starting to think about designing my garden."

"Great foundation for beginners to understand the basics of landscape design."

"Simplified the whole process into manageable steps I could easily follow."

"As a total novice, I found this course incredibly accessible and informative."

Course uses real examples for practical learning.

"The examples used from real gardens were incredibly helpful in illustrating the design principles."

"Seeing the principles applied in different settings really solidified my understanding."

"Lots of examples showing how to apply the concepts... very practical."

"I appreciated the demonstrations and critiques of existing gardens."

Instructor explains concepts simply and effectively.

"The instructor explains the concepts very clearly and makes them easy to understand."

"I loved how simply the concepts were explained, making landscape design accessible."

"The instructor's passion really comes through and helps make the material easy to grasp."

"The explanations are very clear, even for complex design principles."

May be too basic for advanced learners.

"While great for basics, I was hoping for a bit more depth on specific topics like plant selection."

"Might be a little too elementary for someone already familiar with design concepts."

"Could use more advanced techniques or information for those beyond the beginner stage."

"Good overview, but doesn't go deep into complex design challenges."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Landscape Design Ideas - Create a Better Looking Garden with these activities:

Review 'The Layered Garden'

Show steps

Explore the concept of layering plants to create visual interest throughout the year.

View The Layered Garden: Design Lessons for Year... on Amazon

Show steps

Obtain a copy of 'The Layered Garden'.
Read the book, focusing on layering techniques.
Identify plants suitable for layering in your climate.
Sketch a layered garden design incorporating these plants.

Review 'Gardening for a Lifetime'

Show steps

Learn how to adapt gardening practices for long-term enjoyment and accessibility.

View Gardening for a Lifetime: How to Garden Wiser... on Amazon

Show steps

Obtain a copy of 'Gardening for a Lifetime'.
Read the book, focusing on accessibility and low-maintenance techniques.
Identify areas in your garden that could be improved for accessibility.
Plan modifications to make gardening easier and more enjoyable.

Create a Sun/Shade Map of Your Garden

Show steps

Practice creating a sun/shade map to understand how sunlight affects different areas of your garden.

Show steps

Observe your garden at different times of day.
Note areas that receive sun, shade, or partial shade.
Create a map indicating sun/shade patterns.
Use the map to plan plant placement.

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

Follow Online Tutorials on Garden Design Software

Show steps

Enhance your design skills by learning to use garden design software.

Show steps

Research available garden design software options.
Select a software program and find online tutorials.
Follow the tutorials to learn the software's features.
Create a garden design using the software.

Photograph and Critique Local Gardens

Show steps

Practice identifying and analyzing design principles in real-world gardens.

Show steps

Visit local gardens or photograph gardens in your neighborhood.
Identify design principles used in each garden.
Write a short critique of each garden, noting strengths and weaknesses.

Redesign a Garden Bed

Show steps

Apply design principles learned in the course to redesign an existing garden bed.

Show steps

Assess the existing garden bed.
Develop a new design incorporating course principles.
Select plants and materials for the new design.
Implement the new design in the garden bed.

Volunteer at a Local Botanical Garden

Show steps

Gain hands-on experience and learn from experienced gardeners.

Show steps

Contact a local botanical garden or horticultural society.
Inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Participate in volunteer activities, such as planting, weeding, or pruning.
Observe and learn from experienced gardeners.

Career center

Learners who complete Landscape Design Ideas - Create a Better Looking Garden will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Landscape Designer

A landscape designer creates aesthetically pleasing and functional outdoor spaces. This course will be particularly helpful as it introduces the core design principles, such as focal points, scale, contrast, and balance, that are fundamental to the role of a landscape designer. By learning these design principles and seeing them in action, you will gain a stronger understanding of how to create beautiful gardens. Furthermore, the course's focus on learning the 'why' behind design choices, rather than just the 'how,' will enable you to make informed and effective decisions when designing gardens. The course also provides insights into the practical aspects of design, such as sun mapping and manipulating perspective, making it relevant for daily work as a landscape designer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Landscape Designer

Garden Designer

A garden designer specializes in creating beautiful and functional gardens. This course is highly relevant to the skills required of a garden designer as it teaches essential design principles and provides practical insights into how to plan and create visually appealing spaces. The course's emphasis on understanding 'why' certain design choices work, along with hands-on examples, allows a garden designer to develop a deep understanding of design. The course also goes into creating a sun/shade map, placing artwork, and manipulating perspective, all of which are crucial for the day to day duties of garden design. Those seeking to become a garden designer should take this course in particular to gain a strong foundation in the fundamentals of garden design.

See salaries and explore the career path for Garden Designer

Horticultural Consultant

A horticultural consultant provides expert advice on plant care and garden design. This course may be useful to a horticultural consultant, as it goes over landscape design principles such as focal points, scale, contrast, and balance. The course emphasizes the importance of understanding 'why' design principles work, which can help a horticultural consultant provide informed and tailored advice to clients. A horticultural consultant can use the course to learn how to manipulate perspective and implement artwork to the best effect, skills that are useful for consulting work. The course focuses on creating a better looking garden, which is a common goal for those seeking or providing consulting work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Horticultural Consultant

Landscape Architect

A landscape architect plans and designs outdoor spaces, often on a larger scale than a landscape designer, and requires an advanced degree. This course may be useful for an aspiring landscape architect as it introduces landscape design principles. While this course is not a substitute for the comprehensive education required for landscape architecture, it can help build a foundation in design concepts such as focal points, scale, contrast, and balance. The focus on the 'why' behind design choices can help aspiring landscape architects develop a deeper understanding of design principles. The course provides practical techniques for understanding the impact and placement of garden artwork and the manipulation of perspective, which may be useful for a landscape architect. The course is beneficial for those who wish to enter the field of landscape architecture.

See salaries and explore the career path for Landscape Architect

Urban Planner

An urban planner works on the development and design of cities and towns, often considering green spaces and landscaping. This course may be helpful for someone seeking to become an urban planner. The course covers core design principles such as focal points, scale, contrast, and balance, which translate to many aspects of urban planning. An urban planner might employ ideas about how to manipulate perspective and create visual interest, and this course covers those topics in detail. The course emphasizes a learning of the 'why' behind a design, which can be useful for making informed decisions about public space design. This course can help introduce the basic tenets of landscaping for an urban planner.

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Interior designer

An interior designer creates functional and beautiful interior spaces. This course may be useful to an interior designer, as it emphasizes key design principles such as focal points, scale, contrast, and balance, which are applicable to indoor spaces as well as outdoor. The course's approach to understanding not just 'how' to design, but 'why' certain designs work, can be helpful for an interior designer. An interior designer may find it useful to better understand the placement of artwork to best effect, as well as the manipulation of perspective to make a space look the best it can be. The course will introduce concepts that can help strengthen the design sense of an interior designer.

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Real Estate Developer

A real estate developer plans and manages the construction of new buildings and communities. This course may be helpful for a real estate developer, as it emphasizes an understanding of design principles and how to create visually appealing spaces. Although not central to a real estate developer's role, an understanding of landscaping and how to use focal points, scale, contrasts, and balance may help in the design of community spaces. The course's emphasis on the 'why' behind design choices could help a real estate developer make more informed choices when developing a new project. Additionally, using features like artwork and manipulating perspective may help a real estate developer better conceptualize a plan. This course may be a useful resource for an understanding of how to design outdoor spaces.

See salaries and explore the career path for Real Estate Developer

Architect

An architect designs buildings and other structures and often has a strong grounding in landscape design. This course may be useful for an architect. While the course focuses on garden design, the principles of focal points, scale, contrast, and balance can translate to understanding and designing buildings. The course emphasizes the importance of understanding 'why' design choices work, which can benefit an architect in their design process. Concepts like manipulating perspective to create a desired effect are relevant to architectural design as well. This course can help an architect gain a different perspective on how design elements might be used.

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Arborist

An arborist is a tree care specialist who focuses on the health and maintenance of trees. While this role is more about the health of trees and less about design, this course may be helpful for an arborist. A deeper understanding of how to create a beautiful garden space may help an arborist to better advise clients. The course's focus on the 'why' behind design choices may help an arborist better understand the needs of garden design. When helping to plan a garden, concepts from this course, such as understanding how to create a sun map, might prove helpful. This course may be useful for an arborist who has an interest in the design aspects of their work.

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Event Planner

An event planner coordinates and organizes events such as weddings and parties. This course may be useful for an event planner as it provides insights into creating visually appealing spaces and how to understand design principles. While the course focuses on gardens, the concepts of focal points, scale, contrast, and balance are relevant to event design as well. The course's focus on the 'why' behind design may be useful for an event planner. Understanding how to place artwork to best effect and manipulate perspective may help an event planner to make a more appealing setting. The course may assist an event planner in understanding how to create a beautiful space.

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Set Designer

A set designer creates the visual environment for theater, film, or television productions. This course may be helpful for a set designer, as it emphasizes the visual design principles that can be applied to stage and screen settings. The course teaches about focal points, scale, contrast, and balance, all of which can be helpful for a set designer. An understanding of 'why' a design works benefits a set designer. The course may be useful for a set designer who is seeking to better understand the use of artwork and the manipulation of perspective to create a desired effect. This course may be useful for the set designer who wishes to broaden their knowledge of design principles.

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Floral Designer

A floral designer creates arrangements using flowers and other plant materials. This course may be helpful for a floral designer, as the design principles discussed, such as focal points, contrast, and balance, can be applied to floral arrangements. The course emphasizes the importance of knowing 'why' specific design choices work, which can help a floral designer create more harmonious arrangements. Although the course does not focus on flowers, the course's exploration of manipulating perspective and adding artwork to an area may be helpful to a floral designer. This course may be useful for a floral designer looking to enhance their understanding of design.

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Landscape Technician

A landscape technician is a hands-on role that is involved in the practical construction and maintenance of landscapes. This course may be helpful for a landscape technician. The course provides an overview of the design principles such as focal points, scale, contrasts and balance that the technician will help to implement. The course focuses on the 'why' behind a design, which may help a technician better understand the need for certain features. The course might also help a landscape technician understand the placement of artwork and the manipulation of perspective, which will give them a more complete understanding of design. While this course is not about the physical work of landscaping, it may be useful for a landscape technician who wishes to understand the design behind the work.

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Photographer

A photographer captures images of people, places, or things. This course may be helpful to a photographer because it emphasizes understanding design principles and how to create a visually interesting composition. Although this course focuses on garden design, it covers many of the same design principles, such as focal points, balance, and contrast, that are used in photography. The course asks the user to explore the 'why' behind design, which can translate to photography as well. Understanding how to place artwork and manipulate perspective may help a photographer create better work. A photographer may find the course helpful for developing a more discerning eye.

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Construction Site Manager

A construction site manager oversees and coordinates the workers on a construction site. This course may be helpful to a construction site manager. While this course is focused on garden design, it emphasizes the importance of focal points, scale, contrast, and balance, which are critical to planning a successful construction project. The course encourages an understanding of 'why' something works, which can translate to on site decision making. The course may help a construction site manager understand the value of carefully placed artwork and considering the perspective of a space. This course may be useful for a site manager who wishes to understand the impact of design.

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Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Landscape Design Ideas - Create a Better Looking Garden.

The Layered Garden

Save

Explores the concept of layering plants for continuous visual interest throughout the year. It provides practical advice on plant selection, placement, and maintenance to create a dynamic and engaging garden. The book's focus on year-round beauty aligns perfectly with the course's goal of creating a better-looking garden. It offers a wealth of ideas and inspiration for incorporating diverse textures, colors, and forms into landscape designs.

The Layered Garden: Design Lessons for Year-Round...

Hardcover

Gardening for a Lifetime

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Focuses on adapting gardening practices to accommodate physical limitations and changing needs over time. It offers practical tips on ergonomic design, accessible tools, and low-maintenance plant choices. While not directly focused on design principles, it provides valuable insights into creating a sustainable and enjoyable garden for the long term. This is especially useful for those who want to continue gardening as they age.

Gardening for a Lifetime: How to Garden Wiser as...

Paperback

Landscape Design Ideas - Create a Better Looking Garden

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Practical landscape design for home gardens

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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