Tips on How to Complete Large Garden Projects Successfully

Now that the ground is starting to unfreeze, I am turning my attention to starting some new projects that I have had on my list to do for a while now. I like the idea of tackling a large project, and I look forward to the results, but before I begin, I often face the feeling of overwhelm that can impede me from making a start. In this article, I am sharing the process I use to make these sorts of undertakings more successful. 

The first place to start, whether you’re feeling overwhelmed or excited to get started, is to plan and simplify. Planning is important when taking on large projects because it is one of the best ways to keep organized throughout the process and to track your progress along the way. Personalize your plan to suit your own working style, whether that is being very detailed or more fluid and flexible. Either way it is best to simplify the project into smaller, manageable steps or goals, which can give a sense of accomplishment and keep up momentum. 

Once a general plan is in place, the next area of focus is what I like to refer to as the order of operations. Since outdoor projects, especially gardens, are sensitive to nature’s timetable and the passing of the seasons, it is important to identify tasks that should be done early and prioritize those, such as extending a garden bed early on so that it is ready for when planting starts, rather than focusing on the setting of decorative features or trellises first. Setting priorities is just as important as creating a plan.

It is important to expect that not everything will work out according to plan. Starting off with a mindset of flexibility and adaptability will make problems that arise go smoother and be less stressful overall. Sometimes the vision that you started with doesn’t work so well in physical form, but that’s OK; it’s just an opportunity to create a new vision that may be different from the original intent but might just be better in the end. Also, when it comes to problems that arise, it can be helpful to leave them for a while, do something else, and then come back with a refreshed perspective. 

By creating a plan, identifying priorities, and being flexible in your approach, you can increase your chance of success in bringing the garden of your dreams to life!