Garden and Landscape Design
What happens when you employ a landscape or garden designer?
Everyone has their own method. This is mine. I come and visit a site, meet the homeowner, ask lots of questions, take notes, look, and look again at the site. It will take a couple of days to put together a proposal to submit to a prospective client. This will include an overview of the project and estimated time for each project segment or segments. A client reviews the proposal. Questions are answered and points clarified. If there is acceptance, the job is put on the schedule and work will begin.
Process
I will take lots of photographs of a site and measure as needed. I'll be looking at sun, wind exposures, soil issues, where the water flows, invasive weeds for removal, etc. If a site plan is available, that always helps. If I’m not clear on a particular point while I’m working on a design, I contact the homeowner. I want to understand what they see, or would like to see when they look out their window, walk out the back door or drive up to their home. If somebody hates the color purple, I want to know that. If the house is formal, and someone wants an informal back yard that’s important to know. If entertaining large groups is a priority, that’s important to know and understand. A landscape should be a reflection of homeowner’s preferences and tastes. I’m not going to walk out and see it every day – the homeowner is and they need to like it, a lot.
What you get:
Time is spent reviewing the plan. Edits or adjustments are incorporated. Sometimes, I bring plants along with me to show a client. Sometimes, I'll ask them to meet me at a nursery or even at my home to look at plants. Photographs are 'ok' but seeing the plant in person is the most helpful. I’m interested in people understanding how plants grow and how they can enhance a property with proper placement and siting. How they can take you through a property and how they can work with steps, patios, paths, etc. to make your property a place in which you enjoy spending time.
Maintenance
Yes, it does exist. It sounds nice to say 'no maintenance'. People light up when you say those words. They say them to me a lot. I wish it were a reality but it is not. However, design choices can affect your level of maintenance. Maintenance, like it or not, is integral to the ongoing success of a landscape. It's a reality of being a home or land owner.
I will provide initial guidelines on what is required for plants installed. I remain available to come out and work with a homeowner to either teach or work with them to accomplish learn how to take care of their landscape with minimal care. If you have someone that does your maintenance, and needs a few pointers, I can assist with that too.
Everyone has their own method. This is mine. I come and visit a site, meet the homeowner, ask lots of questions, take notes, look, and look again at the site. It will take a couple of days to put together a proposal to submit to a prospective client. This will include an overview of the project and estimated time for each project segment or segments. A client reviews the proposal. Questions are answered and points clarified. If there is acceptance, the job is put on the schedule and work will begin.
Process
I will take lots of photographs of a site and measure as needed. I'll be looking at sun, wind exposures, soil issues, where the water flows, invasive weeds for removal, etc. If a site plan is available, that always helps. If I’m not clear on a particular point while I’m working on a design, I contact the homeowner. I want to understand what they see, or would like to see when they look out their window, walk out the back door or drive up to their home. If somebody hates the color purple, I want to know that. If the house is formal, and someone wants an informal back yard that’s important to know. If entertaining large groups is a priority, that’s important to know and understand. A landscape should be a reflection of homeowner’s preferences and tastes. I’m not going to walk out and see it every day – the homeowner is and they need to like it, a lot.
What you get:
- Overall plan layout including planting beds, walkways, entertaining and recreation areas as appropriate.
- Specific plant and material recommendations.
- Plant profiles
- Hardscape materials recommendations
- Preliminary maintenance recommendations and tips
Time is spent reviewing the plan. Edits or adjustments are incorporated. Sometimes, I bring plants along with me to show a client. Sometimes, I'll ask them to meet me at a nursery or even at my home to look at plants. Photographs are 'ok' but seeing the plant in person is the most helpful. I’m interested in people understanding how plants grow and how they can enhance a property with proper placement and siting. How they can take you through a property and how they can work with steps, patios, paths, etc. to make your property a place in which you enjoy spending time.
Maintenance
Yes, it does exist. It sounds nice to say 'no maintenance'. People light up when you say those words. They say them to me a lot. I wish it were a reality but it is not. However, design choices can affect your level of maintenance. Maintenance, like it or not, is integral to the ongoing success of a landscape. It's a reality of being a home or land owner.
I will provide initial guidelines on what is required for plants installed. I remain available to come out and work with a homeowner to either teach or work with them to accomplish learn how to take care of their landscape with minimal care. If you have someone that does your maintenance, and needs a few pointers, I can assist with that too.