If you own a piece of land, dreaming about what it could become often starts as freedom — but can quickly turn into overwhelm.
Where do you begin? Which step is the “right” one? What should come first?
Autumn is a good time to ask these questions alongside nature, not ahead of it. Planting is not just about putting things in the ground — it’s a craft. One that starts with patience and deep observation.
Here are five grounding principles that can help you design your land more naturally and sustainably:
What grows naturally on your land? Where does the water go? Which areas receive the most sunlight — or stay shaded?
Before any plan, take notes. Water movement and wild growth will tell you more than any map.
Every piece of land has a slope — subtle or steep. Before adding terraces or heavy interventions, try to understand what the land is already doing.
The way water moves through a slope often reveals where plants want to live — and where they don’t.
Think: Trees – Shrubs – Groundcovers. Nature never works in isolation.
Rather than planting one thing at a time, think in relationships. What grows well together? Explore companion planting as a useful lens.
Land design isn’t a checklist — it’s a long conversation. You don’t need to do it all this season.
Maybe start with windbreaks this fall… then shade plants in spring.
Stretching your plans over time makes them more resilient — and less stressful.
One of the most underrated steps in planting: deciding what not to control.
You won’t shape your whole land at once. Some zones can become passive, semi-wild reserves — and they’ll support your ecology more than you expect.
Observe these places, let them teach you. You might even grow a small forest — look into the Miyawaki Method for inspiration.
This guide was originally shared in our Land Stories community.
If you're navigating similar questions on your own land, our upcoming Land Design workshops continue this fall in a new hybrid format.
You can move at your own pace through the content, then join us for a one-on-one consultation session to dive deeper into your vision.
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