This phenomenon is called ‘lines of desire’. These tracks always appear adjacent to places where many people come and go, at the shortest point from A to B. These are the lines that most people desire to walk, hence the name.

So what’s all this got to do with your backyard landscape? Well, a good design takes into account these lines of desire and incorporates them into the overall plan. The finished result is a landscape that flows seamlessly and is a pleasure to use. The irony of all this is that you are less likely to notice them in a well designed garden – the badly designed ones that annoy you are the ones most remembered.

There are three elements to a well designed garden.

Cornerstones – These are the major elements that anchor the design. Think driveways, fencing, the fall of the land, drainage points and the house. With the house, take particular notice of the entrances and windows. Where will you walk to and what will you see?

Links – These join the cornerstones together and will determine how you move around the landscape. The most obvious example of a link is a path, but it also includes lawns, garden beds, waterways (such as rills), steps and decking.

Softening – These are the finishing touches that pull all the other elements together, providing a real cohesion to your vision. This is usually made up of plants and mulches, but is also determined by the materials and finishes you have used.

Good design becomes great design when some of the elements fit under more than one category. The other indicator is when the lines of desire are invisible – because they are now an integral part of your garden landscape.