This document outlines the learning objectives and content for a garden planning session. It discusses identifying potential hazards during the planning stage such as overhead wires, unsafe structures, and topography. Common hazards include slipping, drowning, injury from plants, and falls. Careful planning can minimize these risks through choices about materials, water features, plant selection, and maintenance access. The document also covers integrating sustainability into the planning process through material selection, water and soil management, and minimizing high-input plants and displays.

1. RHS Level 2 Certificate
Year 1 Session 24 –
Garden Planning

2. Learning objectives
Garden Planning and Design
1.1.Describe how to identify potential hazards and risks on a site,
including overhead and underground hazards (e.g. electric cables);
unsafe buildings, features and trees; topography and existing features,
e.g. watercourses and ponds
1.2 State why it is necessary to identify the existence of overhead and
underground services
1.3 Describe TWO hazards associated with EACH of the following:
access; slope; location of features; water; electricity; materials; plants.
1.4 State how the risks related to the hazards identified in 1.3 can be
minimised by careful planning during the planning and design stage
1.5 Describe how the environmental sustainability of landscaping
materials may affect choices made during the planning and design
stage.
1.6 State how sustainable practices in the maintenance of a garden can
be integrated successfully during the planning and design stage

3. Garden planning
 Don’t think about the plants! Gardens are
planned around function, form and line, then
colour and texture. Choices about plants to
produce the desired effect come last of all.
 Important to plan in a methodical way and
keep notes. In this way important issues are
not overlooked.
 A survey is vital but it need not be hard to do
(considered next week).

4. Risk assessment – five stages
 Identify the hazards
 Identify who might be harmed and how
 Evaluate the risk and identify precautions.
Evaluate means consider how serious the
harm might be and how likely it is to happen.
 Implement precautions and record results of
assessment
 Review and update regularly.

5. Planning for safety
 Safety considerations are an integral part of
garden planning.
 Common hazards are: slipping and tripping;
drowning (children); skin irritation and
poisoning; falls; electrocution.
 These are all related to particular garden
features – such as slippery paving or steep
steps without handrails. Planning can
minimise such hazards.

6. Hard landscaping
 Paving can become slippery if algae grows on it –
use texture, angle of ‘fall’ etc to control.
 Uneven surfaces made up of two or more materials
can create ‘toe catchers’. Planning can include
avoiding such surfaces, or ensuring that they are
level.
 Steps can be a tripping hazard in the dark or if they
are uneven in height or too steep. Planning
decisions include choice of depth, gradient, handrails
etc

7. Water
 A drowning risk for children. However the
reflection, movement and sound added to a
design by water can greatly enhance a
garden.
 Planning can minimise the risk and keep the
benefits.
 For example, using a wall fountain or pebble
pool, which have concealed water reservoirs,
enables water to be used safely in gardens
used by small children.

8. Electricity in the garden
 Lights, fountain pumps, supplies to the shed
and greenhouse all require electrical work in the
garden.
 All work should be done by a qualified
electrician. Cables if buried must be armoured
and their positions notes.
 Planning can include using solar powered lights
to avoid the need for cables, planning cable
runs under lawns to avoid the possibility of them
being disturbed by digging etc.

9. Plant toxicity
 A common hazard in gardens is injury or
poisoning by plants.
 Planning can minimise this risk by identifying
harmful plants and either excluding them or
planting them appropriately.
 For example Euphorbia sp have toxic sap
and cause skin irritation. Planting taller
varieties of these by a path would not be
advisable as they may brush legs in passing.

10. Access for maintenance
 All garden features that may require
maintenance need consideration of safe
access for this purpose.
 Hedges need trimming, trees need pruning,
and garden buildings and structures may
need painting etc.
 Planning decisions would include allowing
access in front of hedges and around trees
and buildings for a person with a ladder to
work safely.

11. Sustainability in Garden Design
 Basic principle – creating a beautiful,
useful environment around our homes
should not damage or degrade the
wider environment or habitats
elsewhere.
 Doesn’t have to be scruffy.
 Can be achieved through design.

12. Sustainability - materials
 Choose materials with lowest inputs – carbon,
energy, water – and longest life.
 Wood – FSC certified, native wood most sustainable
choice.
 Stone – by-products of quarrying have lowest
impact, imported stone highest.
 Use recycled or re-manufactured materials instead of
new.
 Plants – plant according to the conditions,
permanent planting has lower inputs than bedding.

13. Sustainability - maintenance
 Water – plan space for a water butt, include
porous hose irrigation, planting that needs
minimal irrigation.
 Soil improvement – plan space for a
composting area if possible.
 Planting – permanent planting uses fewer
resources than temporary displays. Bedding
can be minimised to reduce impacts – use of
heat, water, fertilizer, transport (if bought in)
etc.

14. Learning outcomes
Garden Planning and Design
1.1.Describe how to identify potential hazards and risks on a site, including
overhead and underground hazards (e.g. electric cables); unsafe
buildings, features and trees; topography and existing features, e.g.
watercourses and ponds
1.2 State why it is necessary to identify the existence of overhead and
underground services
1.3 Describe TWO hazards associated with EACH of the following: access;
slope; location of features; water; electricity; materials; plants.
1.4 State how the risks related to the hazards identified in 1.3 can be
minimised by careful planning during the planning and design stage
1.5 Describe how the environmental sustainability of landscaping materials
may affect choices made during the planning and design stage.
1.6 State how sustainable practices in the maintenance of a garden can be
integrated successfully during the planning and design stage