Other Considerations for Your Plan

Other things to consider

• Someplace to go
• The pond always draws people outside.
• Paths
• To get around to tend to the plants.
• To walk safely and comfortably to gates, the trash cans, etc.
  
• As a place for kids to ride their scooters, etc.
  
• The dogs love to race each other around the circular path.
• To draw you into different areas of the yard.
•  If your yard is small, consider putting in a door (or even a mirror) at the edge of your garden and put in a path leading to it. 
• Paths can be made of stepping stones, gravel, concrete, wood planks, or other materials.  
• My favorite path is made of decomposed granite.  It is laid out like sand.  You spread it, rake it smooth, then spray it with water.  It provides a smooth solid path that allows for water to flow into it without getting muddy. 
• A place to sit
• We have 2 tables on the patio with chairs around both.  I prefer the one with the glider and spinning chairs.
• We also have a lounge chair to soak up some sun.
• We have chairs on the side deck, but no one seems to use them.  It is lacking a purpose...  a future project.
• There are a couple of "sitting rocks" next to the pond.
• I enjoy having some places to sit in the shade as well as the sun.
• Something to do
• Sitting by the pond to feed the fish or read.
• Watching the birds at the feeders.
• I spend mega-bucks on thistle seed to attract finches.
• I love the look of the Goldfinches and the red House Finches and they love to sing and chirp.
• This seed is usually treated so it doesn't sprout.
• The feeders I have are spring-loaded to help to keep the squirrels and rats out of the seed.
• Sitting around a fire pit always sounds like a great idea.  I imagine S'mores and camp songs.  We have the fire pit, but rarely can I entice anyone out there. 
• I love the idea of a large chessboard  in the yard.  Other outdoor games like bocci ball, badminton, croquet, or even Scrabble are also easy to include in your garden.
• It's easy to add a covered sandbox for kids.
• I wish I could justify this adjustable pool!
• Something to listen to
• The waterfall dulls the traffic noise.
• The birds at the feeders are usually singing.
• Soft wind chimes provide a calming background.
• Birch trees can provide a soft rustle in a slight breeze.

 So that's what I try to share with people who ask how I planned my garden.