SITE MEETING AND CONSULTATION
The first objective is to meet you and see your garden. At this meeting we can talk about your ideas, the sort of style you like, how you like to use your garden and the budget and time frame you have in mind. For me it is the opportunity to see the potential and possibilities for your garden, and to begin to think about a design. After our meeting you can decide if you would like to progress to the next stage; the survey and a presentation of a draft design and mood boards. The charge for this service will be related to the scale and detail required for the job. We can talk about this before I come or at the consultation.
SURVEY
The Survey is to establish the nature of the site in order to understand it and from there to produce a design that reflects its opportunities. The garden will be measured to create a scale drawing, which will include information regarding the aspect, views, location, neighbours, boundaries, access, soil type, conditions, drainage, frost pockets, wind direction, topography, levels and existing services such as electricity, gas, water supply, pipes and cables. The cost of a Survey will be reflected by your garden and budget.
MEETING AND PRESENTATION
This can include a mood board, pencil sketches an initial 2D draft plan, planting and hardscaping ideas and examples of hard landscaping materials if required. After discussing the options the next step would be to design a master plan.
MASTERPLAN/FINAL DESIGN PLAN
The master plan will give you all the detail you will need to create your new garden. This information can be used by yourself or can be put out to tender to contractors and landscapers. The master plan will include a plan of trees, shrubs, climbers, perennials and any necessary construction drawings for the hard landscaping, list the type of materials to be used, details regarding the removal and addition of any soil, the creation of new lawns, water features, lighting and any other elements as will be discussed and agreed at our meetings.
HARD LANDSCAPING ELEMENTS
This can include decking, paving, pathways gravel and brickwork, raised beds in wood, brick or rendered, fencing, trellis, pergolas, archways and gates. Additional elements included would be irrigation systems, taps and water features, lighting, sheds, storage and outside kitchens/BBQ’s.
PLANTING DESIGN/PLANT SCHEDULE AND DESIGN
At the initial site meeting the style of garden will have been discussed in some detail from which the choice of plants will have been made and these ideas will have been developed into the master plan. The planting design/ schedule presents clearly the botanical names, size of the plant, number of plants and where they should be planted to achieve the design. They can be sourced by myself and delivered to you for planting by your contractor/landscaper or by yourself.
GARDEN MAINTENANCE
With the new garden planted, a schedule of maintenance will be helpful. This can be provided for you, tailor made for your garden. This will give you the tips on when and how to look after each plant, with advice on pruning, cutting back, staking out and tying in, plant division, mulching, feeding, seed collection, seed and bulb planting removal of bugs, etc.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Regular site visits to oversee, advise and help during the build and planting is recommended. I can help liaise between the contractors and landscapers and make sure the project is going smoothly, keeping it on schedule and within budget.
