At Ziboxo , we believe that a well-designed garden starts long before the first plant goes into the ground. Our Garden Planning and Site Analysis course helps you learn how to evaluate outdoor spaces thoughtfully and design gardens that respond to the unique conditions of the land.

Whether you're working on a small backyard or preparing for larger landscaping projects, understanding the site is where good design begins. This course is ideal for anyone who wants to create gardens that are not just beautiful, but functional, lasting, and in harmony with their environment.

Why Site Analysis Matters

Every piece of land has its own personality — its slope, soil, light, wind, and drainage patterns all shape what it can support. Ignoring these natural features often leads to frustrating design outcomes: plants that fail to thrive, water that doesn’t drain, or layouts that just don’t feel right.

In this course, we show you how to read the land with a designer’s eye. You’ll learn how to recognize opportunities and limitations in a space so you can make better decisions from the start.

What You'll Learn

Our Garden Planning and Site Analysis course offers a structured, hands-on approach to evaluating and shaping outdoor environments. You’ll gain skills that apply whether you're redesigning your own garden or planning spaces for clients.

Here’s what the course covers:

• Reading the Landscape
  Learn how to assess the natural characteristics of a site — including sunlight, wind direction, elevation changes, drainage patterns, and existing plant life. You’ll understand how these factors influence what can be designed and built.
• Working With, Not Against, Nature
  We teach you to see the land as a partner, not an obstacle. You'll learn how to design with natural patterns rather than trying to force them into submission.
• Creating a Base Map
  You’ll learn how to measure and document a site accurately, then translate your observations into a working plan that becomes the foundation for your design.
• Understanding Soil and Climate
  We explore how to test and interpret soil conditions, recognize microclimates, and choose plants and materials that match the site’s needs.
• Defining Zones and Functions
  Gardens are about more than plants — they’re places for living, relaxing, gathering, or working. We’ll guide you in dividing space into functional zones based on use, access, and views.
• Visualizing the Finished Garden
  Finally, you’ll learn how to translate analysis into vision — taking what you’ve learned about the land and applying it to sketch early concepts that are grounded, realistic, and creative.

Who Should Take This Course

This course is perfect for:

• Gardeners who want to move beyond trial and error
• Homeowners planning a redesign of their outdoor spaces
• Students or aspiring professionals in landscape design
• Anyone curious about how to design with land instead of against it

If you’ve ever wondered why some gardens thrive while others struggle, this course will give you the answers and the tools to do better.

How We Teach

Our teaching style is grounded in real-world examples and practical learning. Each section is supported by guided exercises to help you apply what you’ve learned in your own space or a sample project. We break down technical concepts into everyday language, with clear visuals and helpful tips at each stage.

Our approach respects both structure and creativity. We provide you with the framework to understand a site’s needs, and then we support you in designing with your own style and purpose in mind.

Why Ziboxo ?

At Ziboxo , we teach more than technique — we teach perspective. We know that lasting gardens come from thoughtful planning, and that planning starts with knowing how to read the land. Our instructors bring both professional experience and a love for teaching, ensuring that you gain skills you can apply immediately and with confidence.

Start With the Ground Beneath Your Feet

If you're ready to create gardens that are rooted in understanding — not guesswork — this course is the place to begin. Learn how to assess the land, make informed decisions, and plan outdoor spaces that truly belong to their setting.

Reach out to Ziboxo today to learn more or to join the next course session. Designing with nature starts here.