The transformation process
It’s not all about the design. To transform your garden into the space you want it to be, all of of the following things need to happen. You may do some of these yourself, hand over to a contractor or let a project manager take the strain. The choice is yours.
Initial consultation
The process normally starts with an on site meeting (at no charge), to explore what you want from the garden and understand the basic structure we are working with. This will gather enough information to produce a Design Brief, allowing me to make a proposal.
Concepts
Perhaps the most creative element and deserving of a lot of careful thought. A number of draft schemes which fit the brief will be produced and discussed at some length with the client until all are happy with the approach. These might be in the form of hand drawn sketches or computer models – whichever best suits the job. This will require a site survey, including level changes.
Final layout
The chosen scheme is drawn up to exact scale, with all elements correctly detailed, against an accurate survey.
Planting plan
Details should cover what happens throughout the year, showing how the garden will look in mid winter as well as the height of summer. Also bear in mind that no garden is static, with continuous change from season to season and year to year.
Often hard to visualise with a top down plan, use of 3D images, and the ability to walk through the space makes this less of a mystery to many. Planting must also suit the conditions – particularly aspect and soil condition, which will be determined as part of the survey.
Hard landscaping and construction detailing
Drawings and specifications need sufficient detail to enable contractors to give reliable cost estimates and go on to complete construction with no ambiguity. This is particularly important for any bespoke features.
Costing and quotation
The anticipated costs will always be a main consideration, and will have already had an influence on concept selection before completion of drawings and going out to tender. Reality may dictate a rethink on certain elements of the design if quotes are higher than expected.
Implementation
Who manages implementation will have formed part of the design brief – are you doing the work yourself, managing contractors for all or part of the build, or is the designer taking that on?
Aftercare
A visit some time during the growing season after implementation is recommended to ensure all is well. I would welcome the chance to repeat that to ensure the garden continues to flourish year after year.
About Me
I graduated with a Diploma in Professional Garden Design from the National Design Academy in Nottingham in 2021. This followed a long career in design related roles as a chartered Mechanical Engineer, working mostly with major vehicle manufacturers.
Time for a change, after more years than I’m going to own up to, I am confident that so many of the skills accumulated through my engineering career are directly applicable to the role of garden designer. I also have considerable knowledge built up through tending my own gardens, with the most recent 1 acre plot under my and my wife’s care for the last 20 years. I am also a ‘friends’ member of the Society of Garden Designers, and meet regularly with local members to help share best practice.
I live near Chepstow, so well placed for travel throughout South Wales and the West of England
My business is covered by public liability insurance to the value of £1,000,000
Gardens….
Chepstow, 2021
What do you do at the end of a long pond, on a site with dead grass under an unused tramopline, next to an impossible to mow slope?
The result…
Rich planting around new ponds interconnected with rills emerging from deep within the borders. This follows the natural contours of the land so nothing looks out of place. Even in its first summer, the plants were maturing, and the ducks took full advantage.
Bath, 2022
This back garden started with a path dividing the lawn, weeds at the back and few other plants to speak of. Reusing the paving to widen the patio gave enough room to comfortably accommodate the table. It’s early days for the recent planting, but all will soften as it fills out and matures, getting closer to the plan as time passes.
Bath, 2023
Rough sketches…..existing garden…..first concept model….
The brief here was for a child friendly space with wider lawn, more seating and privacy, and reduced borders. Still at the concept stage, some rough hand drawn sketches progressed to an initial model, incorporating bespoke pergola, sunken trampoline and mini forest behind the raised mound.
I’m sure a few more models will be generated before final detailing, costing and spades in the ground.
Contact
If you would like to discuss a project or have any questions please call 07880 751041, e mail geraldscu@gmail.com or use the contact form below.
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Gerald Scudamore 