Location Where are you going to create your new bed? Do you think it is the best location for it? How much sun and shade does the area get, in winter as well in summer? Remember this will affect the types of plants you can grow. Most herbs, Mediterranean plants and alpines need plenty of sunshine. Woodland plants, however, will appreciate more shade.
Is the area backed by a hedge or trees whose roots may take goodness and moisture from the soil? Only really tough plants may be able to survive in such an area. (If the border is deep then you can leave a path at the back to enable you to trim the hedge).
How much wind does the area get? If you plan to grow tall perennials such as delphiniums, make sure the bed is not in an exposed location. Check whether the planned bed is in a frost pocket. If the area is down a slope, with a wall or fence behind, this will mean that cold, frosty air will roll down the slope and be trapped by the barrier, causing great damage to any tender plants.
What is the soil type? Clay soil is sticky, hard to work and retains water. On an unimproved heavy clay soil it may prove difficult to grow Mediterranean plants which require well-drained conditions. Well-drained soils, however, such as sand or chalk, may provide an inhospitable environment for moisture-loving plants. You can buy inexpensive kits from garden centres which will allow you to test the acidity of the soil. Neutral soils can grow a wide range of plants, whereas in very acid or very alkaline soils the choice will be rather more restricted.
Size A common fault of the novice gardener is to make beds and borders too small. A one foot deep strip of border is really too small to create an area with all-year round impact. Be bold and make your bed at least six foot deep - this will allow to plant rows of different plants, which will not only set one another off, but gives you more scope to create long-term seasonal interest.
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