Guides
Practical answers for planning a yard: sizes, spacing and layouts, with plans you can open and change.
How to plan a backyard layout, step by step
A practical way to plan a backyard: measure the plot, map what stays, set zones and paths, then size the patio, beds and lawn. With dimensions and a free yard planner.
How wide should a garden path be?
Garden path widths that work: 60 cm for stepping stones, 90 cm for one person with a wheelbarrow, 120–150 cm for two people side by side. With a quick table in feet and metres.
Patio size guide: how much space for a table and chairs
How big a patio needs to be for a table for 4, 6 or 8, a lounge set, a grill or a fire pit. Allow about 90 cm (3 ft) behind every chair. Sizes in metres and feet.
Raised bed size and spacing: how wide, how long, how far apart
Raised beds should be 90–120 cm (3–4 ft) wide so you can reach the middle, any length you like, and 45–90 cm (18 in–3 ft) apart. Heights and layouts explained.
Vegetable garden layout for beginners
How to lay out a vegetable garden: pick the sunniest spot, start with a few beds, put tall crops on the north side, keep paths wide enough and plan crop rotation. With an example plan.
How far to plant a tree from a house or fence
Rule-of-thumb distances for planting trees near a house, fence, patio or drains: small trees about 3 m (10 ft) away, medium 4.5–6 m (15–20 ft), large trees 6 m (20 ft) or more.
Small backyard ideas, with real dimensions
Small backyard ideas that actually fit: one generous patio instead of two small ones, narrow borders along fences, one small tree, hidden storage. With sizes in feet and metres.
How to draw your yard to scale (free, online)
How to measure your yard and draw it to scale: what to measure, how to handle curves and angles, and how to put it into a free online yard planner in feet or metres.