The Design Process

Stage 1.

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The first step is to meet to discuss what it is you want from your garden. You may have a particular look and feel in mind. Or you may have no pre-conceived ideas at all. No matter where you are up to that’s where we’ll start.

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If it is an existing garden or a garden renovation, I will usually take a digital photo map to aid in the design process and discuss with you which plants or other elements you would like to retain, and which I think are worth saving.

The final step is to go through costing and time frames so that any questions you have can be answered in person then and there. If you do have an idea of what it is that you want, I would encourage you to bring along any pictures of gardens/styles that you like or strongly dislike to this initial consult.

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Stage 2. The Concept

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A concept plan or in some cases concept plans, are presented a few weeks after the initial consultation. This can be done via email or in person. This plan is accompanied by a plant list with pictures of each species to help you to identify the colours, textures and overall feel of the plants. Any changes or ideas to add to the plan are discussed as are materials, colours etc.

Because no two gardens are alike, and no two clients are alike the next part of the process can vary greatly. For instance, some clients opt to save money and don't require final landscape plans, or would like to be involved in the planting of the garden, or selection and sometime even creation of sculptures or artworks. Here at Sustainable Garden Design we like to be as open and flexible as possible. Alternatively if you are a so called brown thumb and want nothing to do with the process, that's fine too!

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Stage 3. Final plans and implementation of the garden

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If you are using your own landscape contractor to implement the design then detailed final plans and the planting list are presented to you and usually a meeting is set up between the contractor and myself.

Ideally, I like to do the implementation of the garden, particularly the plant placement and planting myself and using my own team. This allows for greater cohesion between the plan and the final result. Because a garden is an evolving entity, i also like to do follow up checks a year or so after the garden has been installed, to see if anything needs tweaking.

We also provide clients with the option of follow up management and maintenance of the garden by our team. There is also the option of purchasing a comprehensive management report specific to your garden.