“When planning a new bed or border, try to make it as large as you are able, to create space for plants to grow into,” is Elaine’s first piece of advice on this aspect of garden design for beginners.

Grab a pen and paper and plan carefully. What vegetables do you like to eat ... "Remember that vegetable gardening for beginners means saving your energy and space for quick, easy producers." ...

Planning on scaled paper should help avoid overcrowding later. Gardener designer, Jack Wallington, shares his techniques for planning your own kitchen garden and shows you how to start sowing seeds ...

Unless you have a large garden or allotment it makes sense to plan which fruit you want to grow. Gardens are generally too small and there's usually not enough time to grow everything. Instead, grow ...