My Approach.. Gardening from my perspective
“The hum of bees is the voice of the garden.” Elizabeth Lawrence
The pandemic years introduced us to amazing opportunities to hear speakers on gardening topics from all over the world via Zoom. These scientifically-based presentations have nearly all focused on the environmental problems we face, and what we can individually do to help. I now understand better how complex is the “web of life” and what specific goals are feasible. I hope that my clients share my aims or are open to considering how these might feature in their planning. For example, I like to use a lot of native plants, create habitat for beneficial wildlife, and refrain from using practices and products harmful to the environment. We CAN have it all – beauty and ecological benefits at the same time.
A gardener is always seeing the garden as it will be in the future, and planning for next season. My experiences in many gardens can help you to make the best choices for the long term, based on your preferences. The first step is to establish what you need/want in an outdoor space, and then to assess the site and gardening conditions with these goals in mind. I can show you how to choose plants to suit your design tastes, space, and budget, and how to plant and maintain them as your garden matures. I also love working with stone, which can display and create a good home for many plants.
A gardener is always seeing the garden as it will be in the future, and planning for next season. My experiences in many gardens can help you to make the best choices for the long term, based on your preferences. The first step is to establish what you need/want in an outdoor space, and then to assess the site and gardening conditions with these goals in mind. I can show you how to choose plants to suit your design tastes, space, and budget, and how to plant and maintain them as your garden matures. I also love working with stone, which can display and create a good home for many plants.
The Process I Follow
Initial consultation:
I spend one to two hours usually walking the property with the client, examining the existing flora and discussing any problem areas, learning what the client is looking for and what they like. I take photos, measurements if needed, and make notes. The client should also make notes.
Follow-up:
I email notes, customized plant lists, suggested solutions to problems, and relevant files with more information and resources.
Fee: $175
Initial consultation:
I spend one to two hours usually walking the property with the client, examining the existing flora and discussing any problem areas, learning what the client is looking for and what they like. I take photos, measurements if needed, and make notes. The client should also make notes.
Follow-up:
I email notes, customized plant lists, suggested solutions to problems, and relevant files with more information and resources.
Fee: $175
Further Consultation and Coaching
Beyond the initial consultation, it may be possible to arrange assistance with specific tasks, depending on other commitments and health considerations.
Further consultation and coaching could involve sourcing plants and showing how to lay out and plant the perennials, shrubs, and trees. This hands-on help with finding good plants, and planting/renovation of gardens is an option that depends on circumstances at the time.
For a new installation, the first step is doing the hard landscape, checking drainage, and preparing the soil, clearing out invasive plants and adding amendments as needed. The next one is to obtain and plant the focal points that are woody plants (trees, shrubs and vines). Then the larger perennials go into the beds, and finally smaller perennials and ground covers to complete the look.
Hourly Rate: $40
Beyond the initial consultation, it may be possible to arrange assistance with specific tasks, depending on other commitments and health considerations.
Further consultation and coaching could involve sourcing plants and showing how to lay out and plant the perennials, shrubs, and trees. This hands-on help with finding good plants, and planting/renovation of gardens is an option that depends on circumstances at the time.
For a new installation, the first step is doing the hard landscape, checking drainage, and preparing the soil, clearing out invasive plants and adding amendments as needed. The next one is to obtain and plant the focal points that are woody plants (trees, shrubs and vines). Then the larger perennials go into the beds, and finally smaller perennials and ground covers to complete the look.
Hourly Rate: $40
You won’t find my business on FB, or other social media. I don’t have much time generally for social media and prefer to manage this without them. New clients come from word of mouth recommendations, or find their way to this website.
Garden glory from spring to fall
