Plan ahead for the type of deck and garden that you want. Ask yourself some important questions: what is your budget for your deck and garden? How much do you want to maintain the deck and garden area each day, month or year? How much time will you have to focus on your deck and garden? What is your favorite style of deck? What type of plants do you love?
Once you have answered these questions, make a written plan for your deck and garden area. After measuring the space, carefully draw a blueprint for the deck. Many box stores and lawn and garden centers sell books on how to build a deck. Buy one or two of these and read them from cover to cover. If reading is not your thing, buy a DVD or VHS tape that shows you how to do it. You don't want to find out that you made some big mistakes once it is too late. A deck is not a project for beginners, so make sure you have some experienced helpers.
Decks can be created with straight or curved lines, free flowing shapes and social gathering areas. Climate and use will be mitigating factors in building the deck. A deck can be built with pressure treated wood or with pre-fabricated polyurethane boards. A deck and garden area might consist of pavers, brick, stone or many other types of materials. Whatever your aesthetic goals area, there is a material available to suit.
Some people are nervous about using pressure treated wood on a deck. Recent media stories have pointed to the toxins that are used by manufacturers of pressure treated wood. Although no definitive studies have yet been published, most deck planners still consider pressure treated wood to be an idea resource for creating a deck.
When it comes to the garden area, make a list of your favorite plants. Visit a nursery and look at their selection. Some plants are fragrant, some are not. Some plants grow rapidly while others make take years to reach its ideal size. An experienced landscape designer can provide expert guidance.
When buying the plants, keep in mind the distance between plantings. While annual flowers can often be planted close together in groupings, many bushes or evergreens will grow to be large in size and therefore need to be planted with lots of space between them.
Trees are an important part of a deck and garden area. Even if space is limited, one or two larger trees can make a dramatic statement, add style, and provide much needed shade. If your budget is limited, you may want to buy a couple of large trees and several rapidly growing bushes to get the most bang from your buck.
With proper planning and a bit of hard work, your deck and garden area will be a special place to enjoy for many years to come.
Todd Arend is a freelance writing professional whose expertise covers a variety of areas, including patio and backyard furniture, landscaping and design. He regularly writes about Deck and Gardens.
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