Ready to Plant a New Garden? Here’s How to Get Started (The Eco Tree Way)

Discover how to design a garden that thrives, supports pollinators, and feels like home.

You love nature, care about your environment, and want your yard to reflect both. But when it comes to planning a new flower bed or reimagining a landscape corner, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. What goes where? Which plants will survive? How do you even begin?

At Eco Tree, we meet homeowners all the time who want their yard to be a personal paradise but just need the right guidance to get started. You’re not alone, and you don’t have to guess. We’ll walk you through the same science-backed, visually stunning approach we use for our own clients.

Let’s take the guesswork out of gardening.

Step 1: Know Your Planting Space

Before a single root goes into the ground, ask yourself:

• How big is the space? Even a rough estimate helps determine how many plants will fit without overcrowding.

• What are the light and moisture conditions? Is it full sun or partial shade? Dry or damp? The microclimate around your home matters more than you might expect.

• What’s nearby? Consider the location of your home, sidewalks, mature trees, and water sources. Elements like root competition and reflected heat can significantly affect your plant choices.

Step 2: Test and Tend the Soil

Your garden is only as healthy as the soil it grows in. Here’s how to give your plants the best foundation:

• Test your soil. Use an at-home kit, consult a local garden center, or connect with our team for certified analysis.

• Feed the soil naturally. Choose compost and organic amendments. These work with nature, not against it.

• Observe water patterns. Is the area well-drained, or does it collect water after a storm? Choose plants suited to the space’s natural tendencies.

Step 3: Know Your Climate

Refer to your USDA Hardiness Zone to determine which plants will thrive year after year. If you’re in the Madison area or nearby, we’re happy to help you choose climate-appropriate plants. We speak tree, and we speak local.

Step 4: Design Like a Pro Without a Degree

Want a landscape that looks intentional and welcoming? Here’s how we do it.

• Mix flower shapes for beauty and biodiversity:
  • Daisy-like blooms: Coneflowers, Rudbeckia

  • Vertical spires: Penstemon, Salvia

  • Sprays of blossoms: Columbine, Heuchera

  • Mounding forms: Lavender, Nepeta

  • Flat clusters: Yarrow, Sedum

• Incorporate ornamental grasses and shrubs. These provide seasonal interest, movement, and habitat.

• Design for extended bloom time. Choose perennials that flower in early spring, late spring, summer, and fall.

• Use odd-numbered groupings. Plant in threes, fives, or sevens to create natural flow.

• Repeat plant groups. Repetition adds cohesion and visual calm.

• Use varied plant heights. Layer from tallest in the back to shortest in the front.

• Plant based on mature size. Avoid crowding by spacing plants according to how large they will get.

• Consider groundcovers. These knit the planting together, reduce weeds, and often support pollinators.

• Include winter structure. Evergreens, seed heads, and ornamental grasses keep your garden interesting year-round.

What Success Looks Like

A beautiful, functional garden that matches your lifestyle and supports the local ecosystem. A yard that draws admiration from neighbors and provides food and shelter for birds and pollinators. Most importantly, a space that brings you joy.

What Happens Without a Plan

Plants that struggle, crowd each other, or fail to thrive. Extra maintenance and wasted money. Missed opportunities to enjoy a truly vibrant and healthy garden.

Let’s Make Your Garden Vision Real

You don’t have to be a designer to create a garden you’re proud of. You just need the right plan and a little support.

Need help choosing the right plants or understanding your soil? Schedule a Plant Health Consultation with one of our certified Tree Docs. We’re excited to meet your garden and guide you every step of the way.