Sun:

 the amount of sun your garden receiv es during the day will dicatate what you are able to grow and where. This will change through the seasons. Give yourself time to study how the sun moves and which areas of the garden receiive sun and for how long. you can than plan your planting to suit your full sun, shade or part shade. You will also be able to see where you will most ned shade in summer and plan structures and tree plantings accordingly. Vegetables herbs and many bulb and annuals n eed at least six hours sun a day preferablyt more. but there are plenty of options for shade as well its all question of the right plant in the right place.

Setting:
your garden should be in harmony with the architectual style of your house, aswell as the climate and natural envirmomen. think green think sustainable.

Soil:

 is t he key to a flourishing garden. the ideal airy crumbly balance of sand, silt and cla, rich in organic matter and microscopic life, is rarely found in South Africa. our soils tend to ange from slippery coastal sands to powdery silt to heavy clay, from mildly acid to fiercly alkaline. all kinds of soil will benefit from the addition of as much as you can pile on.

water: 
Aim to plant a garden that will survive largely on rainfall – and to retain as muh rain water on your property as possible..Make sure that it flows in the right  direction and does not wash away your compost and top soil. Capture runoff storage tanks and via drainage into the ground. water quality is also important as brackish water will restrict planting and watering dramtically.

Time: 
gardens cant be rushed, you need a year to study the light, get the feel of the place and let your ideas devbelop. In an established garden especially you need to expereince four seasons. There may be all sorts of things you can't see and many delightful discoveries ahead, spring bulbs, bare trees, hidden shrubs that will suprise you in spring or autumn with flowers or leaf colour berries and fruit. it is possible though to have a virtually instant garden without committing yourself to an elaborate plan that you might regret or wish to change later. Trail and error are part of the process, mistakes are inevitable but they dont have to be expensive.