Whether you want a complete new look for your garden, or just a few changes, this manual takes you through the design process. It avoids complex diagrams and jargon, and starts from first principles with advice on striking the right balance between what you want and what you need. This is followed by advice on assessing your site - its soil type, aspect and climate - and preparing a budget. Next, it shows how to create a design that will meet your requirements. Covering the basic themes such as colour and shape, the book demonstrates how to build up the design by introducing the features of your choice - from herb gardens to pergolas - adding the details and, finally, describing how to plant your garden. There is also a problem solver checklist offering solutions for gardeners who have difficult sites, and a selection of off-the-peg designs and planting plans for all shapes of garden.