New home gardening tips

Remember, you need adequate space to get scale and proportion right, as well as open areas to move around comfortably.

Charlie Albone, Selling Houses Australia

Creating your dream garden in 2020 may be easier than you think.

Landscape designer and presenter on television program Selling Houses Australia, Charlie Albone was the guest host at a recent outdoor living seminar for Metricon's masterclass series.

Here, he shares his foolproof tips for nailing your garden design. And it's actually not as daunting as you may think - as long as you take the time to plan everything ahead of time.

"Remember, you need adequate space to get scale and proportion right, as well as open areas to move around comfortably," Charlie says.

"Working to scale will tell you exactly what can and can't be achieved. It's much better to fit in your priority items and do them well, rather than squeeze in all your items awkwardly."

It's crucial to work out what you want from the space and prioritise your needs. Then, eliminate areas that make the garden seem overcrowded.

"A lot of people will try to get everything in - they want a veggie patch, a water feature, an entertainment space, a swimming pool, an area for the kids to play - and eventually end up with all these small spaces and none of them are very usable or connect well," says Charlie.

He also notes that it's very important to plan your garden around your personal time capacity. If you're time-poor or don't have enthusiasm for gardening, make sure you go for something low maintenance.

"It's easy to get carried away in the design process, but remember you're the one who will have to keep it looking good," he says.

According to Charlie, smaller, fast-growing plants are a sensible choice for those on a tight budget, however don't scrimp on the quality of the soil, especially in a new build.

He adds that soil at new-build sites is often quite compacted, and therefore recommends digging in compost and adding soil wetter to improve its state.

"There is that temptation to just get in there and start planting, but show the soil a bit of love first and you'll get a better return in the long run," says Charlie.

For more garden inspiration or to view Metricon's current innovative designs, visit the display homes in Killara or visit www.metricon.com.au.