A garden is a planned space, usually outdoors, set aside for the display, cultivation, and enjoyment of plants and other forms of nature. The garden can incorporate both natural and man-made materials. The most common form is known as a residential garden. Western gardens are almost universally based around plants. Zoos, which display wild animals in simulated natural habitats, were formerly called zoological gardens. Some traditional types of eastern gardens, such as Zen gardens, use plants sparsely or not at all. Food-producing gardens are distinguished from farms by their smaller scale, more labor-intensive methods, and their purpose (enjoyment of a hobby rather than produce for sale). The gardening article discusses the differences and similarities between gardens and farms in greater detail.

Gardening is the activity of growing and maintaining the garden. This work is done by an amateur or professional gardener. A gardener might also work in a non-garden setting, such as a park, a roadside embankment, or other public space. Landscape architecture is a related professional activity with landscape architects tending to specialise in design for public and corporate clients.

Garden planning and design

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Garden planning and garden design may be undertaken by a professional. A landscape architect is a professional who can plan and realise outdoor spaces. A garden designer is usually trained to plan and realise residential gardens. The planner must give consideration to many factors:

• Purpose
• Existing conditions
• Financial constraints
• Maintenance implications

More on [ Garden ]

The Sydney Morning Herald National Headlines

Time to spend till we mend
Wed, 15 Oct 2008 01:00:01 +1100
THE Rudd Government has plundered the budget surplus by $10.4 billion and given it to pensioners, families and first-home buyers in an effort to shield the economy against the looming global recession.
Rudd addresses the nation
Tue, 14 Oct 2008 23:42:03 +1100

How Costa drove public transport off the rails
Wed, 15 Oct 2008 01:00:01 +1100
SYDNEY'S use of public transport has fallen way behind other Australian cities and the former transport minister and treasurer Michael Costa must wear much of the blame, says a member of the Infrastructure Australia advisory board.
Man dies in suspected street race
Wed, 15 Oct 2008 01:00:01 +1100
A MAN died last night after the van he was driving was struck by a convertible that police believe may have been street racing on the Hume Highway at Warwick Farm.
Executive decision: you're fired
Wed, 15 Oct 2008 01:00:01 +1100
TWENTY per cent of the state's senior public service executives will be sacked, the Premier announced last night in a first attempt to show he will act to wipe out the Government's $1 billion budget black hole.

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