Garden Design Can Feel Daunting...

I hear it all the time—"I don’t know where to start!" or the classic, "Everything I plant dies!" When it comes to growing things, it seems like you either get labeled as having a "green thumb" or you’re cast away to the forgotten island of Misfit Growers after losing one too many plants.

Personally? I unsubscribe from those harsh labels.

Plants and gardens are ever-evolving, and guess what… you are going to kill some plants along the way. And you know what else? You’re still a great gardener.

There’s no such thing as a perfect green thumb. The best gardeners I know are the ones who’ve learned to listen to the environment, observe plant behavior, and aren’t afraid to experiment. Designing a garden—whether it’s a raised veggie bed or a native wildflower meadow—takes planning and creativity. Sure, you can toss some seeds down or grab a potted plant and throw it in the ground. If that brings you joy, go for it! But if you're hoping to craft something more intentional, here are some tips to get you started:

Observe Your Environment:

This step is so often missed, and it's probably the #1 reason perennial plants die. Understanding what you're working with will help you make better, site-specific decisions when designing your garden.

A cozy, costal cottage style garden border using bush honeysuckle, hydrangea and beach rose

Take time—ideally over weeks or months, or even a full year—to see what unfolds in your space. Here in Maine, we’ve got four distinct, often unpredictable seasons. That sunny bed by the driveway might seem perfect for summer blooms, but come winter, it could be piled high with plow snow. See what I’m getting at?

You might dream of a lush hydrangea hedge, but if the reality is a hot, dry, salt-burned corner of your yard, those $90-a-pop plants might be toast by February. Now, if that is your dream, great! But you’ll need to consider what adjustments—like irrigation or protection from winter damage—are needed to support it.

Gardening isn’t black and white. It’s about understanding what’s feasible in your current environment—or adapting the environment to meet your vision.

Identify What’s Already Working:

This step is related to the first, but it deserves its own spotlight. During consultations, I’m always looking for what’s thriving—whether it’s a prized perennial or a tenacious weed. Why? Because those plants are your best teachers.

They confirm the conditions you're working with. Think you've got a shade garden, but it’s full of yarrow and black-eyed susan growing in sandy soil? I’m betting it’s sunnier than you thought. Or maybe you think you get full sun, but your beds are filled with ferns and hostas. Time to reassess.

Volunteer plants (even the wild ones!) tell a story about your yard’s microclimate. Listen to them.

A climate resilient garden that invites pollinators to play

Plan, Plan, and Plan Some More:

I’m a very “type B” person, so if I’m telling you to plan, you know it’s important.

Planning might not be the most exciting part, but it’s what makes your time, energy, and money count. Use what you’ve gathered from the steps above and do a bit of research. I recommend books and trusted websites (I’ll be sharing some of my go-to gardening resources in an upcoming blog post!).

As you start choosing plants, focus on two things:

1. When it blooms

2. Its mature size

Why? Because a truly great garden has color and interest throughout the growing season, and a sense of balance created through varying plant heights and shapes.

Here are a few simple design tips:

• Plant in clusters of 3 or 6 if you can—it instantly makes your garden look more intentional.

• Mix bloom times and colors to keep things exciting all season long.

• Pay attention to mature size (that tiny nursery pot might grow into a 4-foot-wide monster—don't be fooled!).

Final Thoughts: Give Yourself Permission to Learn as You Grow

Creating this woodland edge themed garden that could endure the summer heat was a fun challenge

Here’s the truth: gardening is a dance with nature. You’ll have wins, and you’ll definitely have flops. You’ll get attached to a plant that doesn’t make it. You’ll forget to water. You’ll plant something in the wrong spot and move it twice before it’s finally happy.

But none of that makes you a bad gardener.

Every season brings new lessons. Every plant is a little experiment. The magic happens when you stay curious, take notes (mental or literal), and let your garden evolve with you.

So whether you’re dreaming up your first raised bed or redesigning a full landscape—remember: it doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be yours.

Happy planting

– Sara