The Design Process
The list below details the types of project I am able to undertake:
- Pots and Containers
- Windowboxes
- Balconies
- Patios and Terraces
- Beds and Borders
- Roof Gardens
- Green Roofs (ie, Sheds and Summerhouses)
- Conservatories
- Small - Medium Gardens
- Medium - Large Gardens
- Commercial Projects
The design process for an average sized garden would be probably be as follows. Following your initial contact, I will arrange a meeting at the site of the garden wherever possible. At this meeting I will discuss my work with you as well as your requirements, plant preferences, the uses for the garden etc. I may ask you to look through some books and magazines to show me the type of design styles you like and dislike. If, after this meeting, we agree that we are both happy to proceed with the project, I will confirm this in writing and request you do the same.
The next stage, is for me to visit the garden to take measurements, test the soil and make observations. This is really just for my benefit but can be written up as a report with initial design and planting recommendations and supplied with a drawings of the site as it is at that time if required. For larger gardens or those with difficult circumstances, I may recommend a professional surveyor visit the site for this first stage.
Following the site survey, I will start to design your new garden in a very loose form. So that we both know the direction I am working to, I will present this once I have the design I believe you are looking for. At this stage, I may also present you with a mood board - a selection of photographs that will give you a feel for what I am proposing. If you are happy at this stage, I will then continue with my design to it's final stage - a detailed, hand-drawn and coloured plan.
On approval of this plan, I can then progress to the planting plan - working out exactly what plants will work best in the design and exactly where they should go. This will be accompanied by a full list of all plants to be used.
Work can begin on transforming your garden at this stage. You may decide to do all of the work yourself although it is more likely that you will hire a professional landscape contractor to work from my plan. Unfortunately, at this early stage in my career, I am not in a position to recommend any contractors. I can, however, suggest regulatory organisations that do give recommendations. I will supply the chosen Contractor with Technical drawings to support any structural work in the garden. You may wish for me to make regular vists to oversee the work being carried out. In all cases, I will visit the site to check work is being carried out as planned.
If money is an issue with regards the building of your garden, it may be possible to stagger the building, and therefore spread the costs of the build. I can supply you with an idea of the order in which things should be done. For example, my plan may feature lighting and an irrigation system. This will not be able to be fitted until the last stage but you won't want to dig up plants or lawn to lay hosepipes or cables. I would therefore, in this situation, recommend that the contractor lays pipes underground through which cabling can be run later.
Once the contractor has finished the main construction of the garden, it will be time for planting. If you require it, I can source the plants and arrange delivery on your behalf. Again, you may require me to either oversee this the planting or in some circumstances it may be possible for to actually do the planting.
On completion of the garden, I will present you with any instructions on plant maintenance specific to the plants in your garden. It will then be yours to enjoy.
