Garedn design software

Hi,

I am wanting to find a garden design software package that is not too complicated for a not too computer literate gardener. I look forward to any suggestions.

Julesgwen

Are you looking do use this to design other people's gardens or just inspiration for you own?

I am wanting to re-design my own garden.

Rather than spend money-there are a few free design programmmes on-line-never tried them myself-so just an idea

There are also a couple of cheap ones on Amazon-check the reviews perhaps

Hopefully someone who has used these will pick this up

I tried one of these a long time ago, and that was completely useless.

As Geoff says, there are several of these programs available from Amazon, and you can see what other customers thought of them. For example....
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Your-3D-Garden-Designer-Deluxe/product-reviews/B0009JHTXI/ref=sr_1_1_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

The BBC had a free garden design package, under Virtual Garden, on this page:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/design/

I also tried the BBC one a long time ago, and that didn't work for me.

The ones above are all fairly old. There are some more up-to-date websites, that appear to be professional, that appear to offer 3D-garden design software. For example:
http://www.oldhousephotogallery.com/Landscape_Design_Software/3D_Landscape_Design_Software.html

You could try that.

Another interesting product is Google Sketch Up (free from Google), which is a 3D drawing package. But, I guess, you have to draw every element in your garden:
http://www.sketchup.com/intl/en/download/index2.html

Also have a look at this review. The product described seems to work around uploading a photo of your garden, and then modifying it, which is a novel idea:
http://www.saga.co.uk/lifestyle/gardening/masterclass/virtual-garden-design.aspx

Thanks,

I shall investigate these suggestions.

Daphne Norridge wrote (see)

I've started using growveg.com....

That's a good point.

Growveg.com is a garden planner. All of the packages I mentioned are 3D design packages - they attempt to generate an image showing the appearance of the garden in 3D.

Garden planning is slightly different. Garden planning means simply working out what to plant where, using a simple plan - like a map you might draw with paper and pencil. This process is far simpler than trying to create a 3D image. So a home computer can actually do a good job. In contrast to trying to create a 3D image, which is really just far too ambitious for a home computer.

You can get garden planners for decorative gardens, like this one:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Weatherstaff-PlantingPlanner-Intelligent-Software-Tailor-made/dp/B0042P8GT6/ref=sr_1_1?s=software&ie=UTF8

I am a 'word of mouth'/'do it for mates' occasional garden designer (have designed and built about eight gardens).

I usually just work off a 2d design, measure up, make a scale drawing add the bits the customer wants. I use garden design books and things I have liked in other gardens for ideas.

But thanks to Georg for all the suggestions. I will investigate...  

I am going to redesign my lawn next year and try turning into a plum slate/shrub/water feature/pergola mix (!) so I will try growveg.com too - sounds interesting and I have very little experience (other than with the plants themselves and even that isn't huge).

Thanks for the suggestion, Daphne

That's a great find. I am really interested in the result of your redesigned lawn. Personally I keep it basic with a peace of paper, ruler and a pencil. Works great for me. .