Are many gardens designed?

Most gardens are built piece by piece over the years with little thought given to a proper design. Perhaps a shortage of funds in the early days meant a very minimal investment in the garden with features and planting being added from time to time.

Why should you have your garden designed?

No matter how big or how small, all gardens and their owners are unique. Which way does your garden face? How much sun does it get and at what times of day? What is the condition of the soil? What sort of things would you like in your garden? What sort of things have you seen that fancy and will they work? Do you know how to start? Do you need someone with some flair and imagination to help you? All of these questions should be answered if you have a design for your garden.

Why use a garden designer?

A garden designer should be able to combine his or her expertise with a fresh pair of eyes to help you get the most of your garden. A garden designer should take the time to carefully listen to your ideas and what you would like and not like in your garden. Some of your ideas may not work and a good designer should be able tactfully steer you in a better direction.

One approach that many people take is to call in a number of different landscaping companies to quote for a new garden. Using this approach you are likely to get a number of different interpretations of your new garden, using different designs, different materials, and wide variations in price.

If you establish one design first, normally a very small investment compared to building your garden, you will receive quotations for the same garden that you can compare, and most importantly you will end up with a garden that you really wanted from the start of the process. A good designer can help you with advice on what price you can expect to pay for your garden and what landscapers would be recommended to quote for the build. You may want your designer to take over the whole process for you from engaging a landscaper, supervising the build, and organising your ongoing garden maintenance.

Why use Plots and Plants?

We have been designing and building gardens in the Southampton area for the passt 15 years and we can show you many testimonials from very satisfied clients. We can make a no obligation appointment with you for around 2 hours, which is normally free of charge. This will involve:

• a visit to your garden
• a site survey
• site photography and video footage
• a consultation to listen to your ideas
• a checklist to establish your likes and dislikes, ideas, and facts about the garden
• a demonstration of a 3D design
• a review of photography of other gardens and testimonials

How much will it cost? How long will it take?

At the end of this consultation Peter will let you know what can be done for you and how much it will cost. Typically the cost of a design will range from £100 for a small simple courtyard garden, to £200 for an average sized urban garden, through to £300 for a larger garden with lots of challenges to overcome.

There are a number of other areas which Peter can help you with such as:

• provision of planting plans
• guidance on budget and pricing
• selection of landscapers
• management of build

What happens next? What do I get?

Peter will book an appointment with you to return, normally within a few days. He will produce a Garden Design for you which will consist of the following.

• photographs of your garden
• a 3D walkthrough of your garden design
• annotated colour Garden Design in A3 size using computer technology
• several copies of a landscapers version of your Garden Design in A3 size with dimensions and areas added
• construction notes on how your garden should be built
• planting plans (optional)
• pricing guidance (optional)

Once you have your design Peter will be delighted to help you with any aspects of having your garden built.

Peter Davis Dip GD (InstGD) Director and Garden Designer - Plots and Plants Limited