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Good resources for learning about garden design?

2

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  • chickychicky Posts: 10,410
    To be fair, its a fairly common expression:

    101
     (pronounced "one-oh-one") is a topic for beginners in any area. ... In American university course numbering systems, the number 101 is often used for an introductory course at a beginner's level in a department's subject area. This common numbering system was designed to make transfer between colleges easier.

    I love the way it tells you how to pronounce it too 🤣
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I learn something new on here every day @Chicky ... thanks ... hopefully it's a genuine post.  He's got some interesting responses  :)

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    No, using the phrase '101' after a subject name is common parlance for 'The Basics'. Originally American I think, for introductory classes, but very commonly used here too. 

    @chicky is right, tracing paper and a scale drawing is your friend when you're actually planning the design, and before that point, what several people have said about really looking at other gardens, making a note (photo) of what you like and trying to work out why you like it / why it works. And of course, being acutely aware of your own particular environment and researching what particular plants need. I'm a fan of Tim Newbury's garden design books, but there are loads out there.
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Tracing paper over photos, or more usefully - over a scale drawing, has always been a part of designing, and you can use every device known to man, but an ability to sketch and draw rough layouts and plans is vital.
    For example, anyone who wants to design needs to be able to quickly show how something can be easily altered, and what it might look like in two years time or ten years time. A computer is simply an additional tool. 
    The most important thing of all is an understanding of soil, conditions and climate, and how plants work.   :)

    I've never heard of the 101 thing so I'm assuming it's 'new'.  ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    A bit at odds with the idea of Room 101 in 1984 ... but of course, 1984 is old hat nowadays ... hey ho 😂 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718
    101 in the sense of a beginners’ course dates back to 1929 and Buffalo University (I looked that up) and is widely used in USA. I probably first heard it used as a synonym for basic or introductory maybe 10 years ago so I expect it has been deployed in British English for around 20 years. The initial 1 refers to a course taken in the first year at university.

    When we have so many existing words like elementary, basic, first principles, beginners, starting, introductory, foundation etc I don’t see what 101 adds to the UK lexicon especially as it is not widely understood. Those who do use it are probably just trying to use university-speak to give themselves an illusory gloss coating.
    Rutland, England
  • chickychicky Posts: 10,410
    BenCotto said:
    Those who do use it are probably just trying to use university-speak to give themselves an illusory gloss coating.
    Or they are under 27 😉
  • Papi JoPapi Jo Posts: 4,254
    Hmmm 🤔 G*rden Design 101 is a website ... hope the OP isn’t just plugging it ...

    I'm afraid those spammers get more & more cunning in their posts. I've reported it. The OP's post has many elements of spam:
    • first-time poster
    • weird user name
    • subtly disguised reference to a commercial website (Garden design 101), i.e. without the actual link
    • the text of that post is not from a genuine member, but full of the usual "commercial blurb"
    • the OP has not yet replied to the members' replies
    I'm waiting to be proven wrong. ;)
  • chickychicky Posts: 10,410
    Papi Jo said:
    • the OP has not yet replied to the members' replies
    Maybe they were offended at being accused of being a spammer on their first foray onto what used to be a friendly, welcoming site?

    If they were advertising it was subtle in the extreme.  Doubt if it would have drummed up much business for them.

    And anyone else visiting the site will have had the benefit of a few suggestions on how to approach Garden Design if you’re starting from scratch.  Can’t really see the harm here.
  • Papi JoPapi Jo Posts: 4,254
    @chicky You may be right. If the OP replies and refutes being a spammer, I'll be glad to provide apologies.
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