Although a Landscape Designer and a Landscape Architect, are generally considered to be the same profession, in this article the term "Landscape Designer" will refer to those professionals that offer their services to the urbanite; as opposed to a "Landscape Architect", which refers to those practitioners that deal mainly with large projects, such as parks, urban planning and environmental projects.

Many people feel that when they are ready to design their garden or landscape, that they "need" a landscape designer. This is probably due to a lack of confidence, or the all to common idea that only a "professional" could possibly to the job. Also there is the fear that they may some how irrevocably ruin their garden from here to eternity. Let us put that one to rest immediately. Landscape designers, or Architects, create an idea, concept or plan, if not all, of what your garden could look like, or become. They don't actually do any of the manual work, like digging trenches, shifting soil or planting trees. They are the "ideas" people. It is you that makes the decision whether to do it yourself, or hire someone to follow the plan drawn out by the designer. So, if you are unable to follow a plan, forget it. You may wish to hire a gardening contractor who can, but, if you want to do it all yourself - do you really need a landscape designer?

Designing your own garden or landscape, does not have to be an overwhelming task. Consider this:

* Take a chair and place it in the middle of your proposed new landscape, have a pen and a pad with you.

* Take your time. Look at your proposed garden area, contemplate it. Do not think for a moment, that you are going to do this in a day. That will only lead to disappointment - and you may as well just go straight back inside and turn the telly on. Take a little time, do a little planning. Move the chair to different ares of you garden, to get a bit of perspective.

* What would you like to have in your garden?

* Colour, shade, somewhere to sit that is shady and colourful?

* Somewhere to entertain, or for the kids to play?

* Something like...a....

* ........butterfly patch

* ........water feature, oh, nice.

* ........a patch of wildflowers

* ........herb garden, right near the kitchen, there.

* ........Gotta have a vegetable garden!

* ..........Better have a shed, too, to store your tools. Where would that be best placed? Don't waste a sunny position for a garden shed. Sheds don't need the sun, but your garden does!

* .........Some garden furniture? Somewhere pleasant, like near the jasmine, or the herbs? Personally, I like to sit smack-bang in the middle, where I can see everything; and contemplate what is going on.

* Take all your ideas and mark them out on a large sheet of graph-paper. Do this as many times as need be, until you have a design you are happy with, and, that makes sense to you

* Once you have the design you are most pleased with, get a tape measure! This little tool is about to become your best friend!

The last point is probably one of the most important - and I will add to that - measure twice, cut once! Collect as much information and specifications, as you can about any hardscape you are planning in your garden. This means; any furniture, structures, paths, patios, ponds, dance-floors or spas. This stuff goes in first! The garden goes in around it. Plants are very forgiving and can be moved or cut back and all will be forgiven. However, if you have been slack on the measuring side of things - someone is bound to be not happy having to sit half-in half-out of the pond whilst have lunch - and moving the pond now, may very well be impossible.

Buy or build your garden structures and furniture, first; and place them where you think they might go. Then create your garden around them. That is another reason I put my benches and seats in the middle - I fan out from there, giving an enormous illusion of depth, as I go. If you cannot afford to buy or construct the big stuff, to begin with - merely, peg-out the areas where they will go, and continue with the rest.

A landscape designer can look at your available space, and suggest possible uses for it. These people are experienced in combining utility with attractiveness. If you really, really, want a floating dance floor in the middle of your garden, then at least a designer, being experienced in utilisation of "space" can advise you on the practicalities of the area available to you. It really depends on how much you want to spend, and whether you can afford such expensive advice. Certainly they will be able to advise you on the placement of such things as walkways, arbours and ponds, but keep in mind - the plan you are presented with, showing a completed, mature garden, very attractive with all those established trees placed just so - although this person is a professional designer/architect - they are not necessarily also a gardener. Everyone knows what a tree looks like on a plan - but you need a gardener to tell you what sort of tree is suitable.

With the help of local nuseries, you can find information about the growth habits of plants and trees that interest you, and whether or not they will be suitable where you thought to plant them. If, whilst at a nursery, you find you are attracted to a particular piece of garden furniture or structure, try it out. Sit on it, or in it, don't just buy it because it looks good, only to find that this is the one thing in your garden that everyone avoids - because it is too uncomfortable, or, just too silly for words. Additionally, you can browse online to find plans for a variety of projects and landscape designs. Many are the plans online for garden furniture and structures. Also, there is a fair amount of landscaping software available online. It is fun to use the software to figure out various possibilities for your home, and some of them even come with information like what you need for a specific design, and approximate costs. This software not only provides great amusement, but it can also be helpful as you try to figure out what you would like to do about your landscape.

If you are just starting out, into the world of gardening - start small. By this I mean: do as much as you are comfortable doing. If this means planting only one thing, then planting one thing is all you do. Never overdo it, as you will find your enthusiasm for the project waning, if not utterly vanishing at the thought of getting out there again. Remember - this is NOT a race!

If you are starting from scratch, Do You Really Need a Landscape Designer?