Hello garden lovers! You're here because you're dreaming of a truly transformative outdoor space, and that's exactly what I love to create. But you might also be wondering why the design process can sometimes take around six months. Well, it's not because I'm sipping tea and admiring the Hemerocallis (though I do enjoy that occasionally!). It's because I'm dedicated to crafting a truly bespoke design, one that's as functional and sustainable as it is beautiful, and that takes time and attention to detail.
Today, I'm taking you behind the scenes to show you the steps involved in creating your dream garden design – from that initial spark of inspiration to the moment the last plant is popped into its new home and gently firmed into place. A truly exceptional garden is a product of careful planning and meticulous execution, and I'm here to explain why that process can take a little while.
Phase 1: The "Getting to Know You" Garden Chat (Initial Consultation)
Think of this as the foundation of your garden journey. This isn't just a quick once-over of your space; it's a deep dive into your lifestyle, your needs, and your aspirations for your garden. I'll ask lots of questions, listen to your ideas, explore your current space, and gather all the information I need to understand your vision. This is where I establish the parameters of the project, and this discovery phase is essential. I also take photos and sometimes do an initial site analysis. All these activities, plus travel, all contribute to the time required in this stage.
Phase 2: Reflecting your Brief: Getting it Right (The Proposal and Quote)
Once I have a clear understanding of your vision and needs, I’ll write up ‘your brief’ – a summary of your requirements and my understanding of everything we discussed. It’s critical to get this part right, so that the resulting design reflects you.
I'll carefully calculate the costs involved in the design work. This isn’t a guesstimate; it’s a meticulous assessment of design complexity, reports, surveys, or planning applications that might be needed, and all the other elements that make your design unique. I pride myself on transparency; I don’t want any financial surprises along the way.
Phase 3: Where Ideas Take Root (Concept Sketches)
This is where the design process really starts! Based on our consultation, I'll create initial sketches exploring different layout options, potential features, and the overall feel of your future garden. These are my creative explorations, allowing us to test different ideas and layouts to see what resonates most strongly with your needs and the site. It is vital to spend the time ensuring this concept will deliver for you and your space. I not only create top-down plans, I build an entire 3D model of your house and garden, and from this I will produce an immersive, inspiring fly-through of each concept sketch (check out my You Tube Channel for previous projects).
Phase 4: The Nitty-Gritty: Fine-Tuning (Detailing Phase)
With a solid concept in place, we start to explore the specifics. This is where we choose the precise materials for your patio, the exact shade of stain for your fence, and the dimensions of your raised beds. I'm honing all of those crucial design details to make sure everything fits together harmoniously. This phase ensures that the finished result is exactly what you're picturing.
Phase 5: Illuminating the Night and Embracing Nature (Lighting and Planting Plans)
Now it’s time to add the finishing touches! I'll craft a detailed lighting plan that creates ambiance, enhances functionality, and highlights your garden's best features both day and night – keeping the ‘dark skies’ principle in mind. I’ll also develop a bespoke planting plan, selecting the perfect plants for your environment, your preferences, and the design vision. I look at seasonality, texture, and how these plants will grow, creating something beautiful and sustainable. And it takes time to choose the very best plants for your scheme.
Phase 6: From Vision to Reality: Construction Diagrams, Setting Out, and Technical Specifications (Landscaper's Pack)
This is the crucial information that ensures the landscapers are able to build to the design exactly as intended. I produce detailed construction diagrams including all dimensions, groundworks details, setting out points, levels, and construction notes. This is what I call a Landscaper’s Pack, or technical drawing set, and it enables a smooth build process for the contractor and prevents any errors. It often involves a good deal of work, particularly when the site is complex.
Why Does This Take Six Months?
As you can see, designing a truly exceptional garden is a multi-layered process; each phase requiring careful consideration, expertise, and a good deal of time. I'm not just sketching a pretty picture; I'm crafting an experience, and to get it perfect I need to work methodically. I am detail-oriented and prefer to get the planning right, ensuring that when the construction phase arrives, your vision is executed seamlessly. Rushing any of these phases could compromise quality and long-term satisfaction with your outdoor space.
Six months might seem like a significant timeframe, but it’s the investment that ensures your garden isn’t just beautiful, it’s functional, sustainable, and a joy to experience for years to come. It gives you time to dream, imagine, and build anticipation for your very own outdoor paradise.
Ready to start your garden transformation? Get in touch with me today, and let’s embark on this exciting journey together. I'm excited to bring your vision to life!
