It’s easy to assume that garden design is something you can work out as you go along. A bit of paving here, some planting there, perhaps changing things over time as ideas evolve. And sometimes that approach can work, particularly for very simple spaces. But for most gardens, especially those involving levels, drainage, planting structure, lighting, or long-term investment, the reality is very different. Designing a garden is not just about choosing materials or plants. It’s