When planning a garden, safety, environmental protection, and the needs of garden users must be considered. Potential safety risks include slipping, tripping, drowning, falls, skin irritation, poisoning, and electrocution. These risks can be minimized through planning by considering surface materials, steps, water features, electricity access, and plant toxicity. A site appraisal involves assessing the site characteristics, existing features, and users' needs and preferences to produce a plan that suits the space. Existing site features and characteristics like soil, drainage, and microclimates are important to consider in garden planning.