LANDSCAPING

How I work

Unlike some garden designers I am happy to also install the gardens which I have designed. In addition, if you already have a garden design obtained elsewhere, I can undertake the installation whilst liaising with your designer - or managing the project myself if your designer is no longer involved.

Your garden is in safe hands: In addition to the industry standard RHS General Certificate I also hold the Advanced National Certificate in Horticulture (Landscape & Design). Naturally I maintain full insurance cover and am registered by the Environment Agency to carry waste legally.

The client  who commissioned me to design and install this garden has generously offered to provide written references on request.

The free quote: Whenever appropriate I offer a fixed price for all works but I do need to visit your property and familiarise myself with your specifications before I can do this. I am often asked to provide a start time during the initial telephone conversation however, this is not possible until the client accepts the quotation in writing.

Although I can show you brochures containing colour illustrations of hard landscaping materials and plants and am willing to address queries, I do emphasise the fact that I require either plans or particular parameters to which to work and anticipate that my clients will have already consolidated their ideas before I arrive on site. If this is not the case and advice and guidance are the main priority during the quotation, it is necessary to book a consultation beforehand for which there is a fee.


If, after having considered the above, you feel that your needs would be better served with a garden design please see the relevant section.

The garden

All gardens must have basic structural elements in order to link, separate, or screen various areas of the plot. This is the hard landscaping which comprises the permanent structures of the garden e.g. walls, paving, terraces, patios, decking etc.

The driveway

The drive and front garden are noticed before anything else, so transforming this part of your property will certainly make an impact whilst also adding value.


Below: Before. The digger arrives and I remove 12 cm of arisings. The base is then compacted and back filled with 5 - 20 mm Golden flint.


Below: After. My client's detailed specifications ensured that he got exactly what he required.

Below: Before. These runways are nearly 50 years old and have deteriorated.




Above: After. Concrete curbing has been employed and 1.5 cubic metres of PAV 1 ready mix makes a secure base.

Examples:

The following photographs illustrate a few examples of my work which include hard and soft landscaping completed to the particular instructions of clients.

Below: Project in St Clements, Oxford. The client who commissioned me to install this garden has generously offered to provide an email reference. Please contact me for details.

Below: Frontage before

Below: After, with a natural stone plinth in the middle and plenty of organic matter added, the bed is now ready to be planted


Below: Rear patio area before

Above: After - the colours of the natural stone are enhanced by
inclement weather

Below: Rear with step down and new gate.

Below: Rear garden before

Above: After - natural stone plinths and acers


Besides patios I lay paving and sets and create lawns of different shapes and sizes within different surrounds. There are many interesting types of patios and patio slabs to choose from which - combined with an attractive planting plan - can transform even a small garden.


Below: Pathway before: The old slabs have been removed.

Above: After: The pathway with Italian tiles.

Below: Pictures of a project in High Cogges near South Leigh

Before: The digger and dumper arrive

Below: After: The soil was mainly clay so I added 3 tons of organic matter. Some young plants have been installed but the remainder will be planted in Autumn when the ground is warm and moist; this will be followed by a mulch of well rotted stable manure to give protection throughout the winter and provide them with a good start next year

Below: Early June the following year.

Below: Project in Jericho, Oxford.

A couple in Jericho needed space and a lawn for a young child. Their main priority was that all poisonous plants should be removed. The garden was landscaped to the clients specification and a new natural stone patio was installed. The property didn't benefit from a side entrance and our clients were very patient with us as we barrowed everything through the house. Thanks Sophie, Andy and Hebe.

Above: Before

Above: The same view after the work was completed showing the new natural stone patio. The lawn has been re-seeded and the garden cleared and made child-friendly.

Below: Project in Witney (West End).

Due to both the owners working long hours the garden below had sadly fallen into a state of neglect. In total, 5 tons of material (inc). new turf) were moved in and out of the garden; all materials and equipment were ferried through the house and great care was taken that nothing was damaged in the process.

Below: With the addition of plenty of organic matter the border is now ready to be planted out later in the year when the soil is warm and moist.

Below: This garden in Standlake was overgrown and not adding value to the house.

Above: After (1): The yew tree has been hard pruned and the daffodils and blue grape hyacinths are emerging

Above: After (2): Here come the tulips

Above: After (3): Early summer


Below: Before. This walled garden in Witney had poor drainage and too much shade for a lawn.

Above: After. Mid July and the block paving (Tegula Cobbles) creates a cooling courtyard garden and with the addition of pots and hanging baskets some colour is brought to a lifeless and uninviting shady space. The wall has been re-pointed and painted with Farrow and Ball strong white; a piece of wrought iron trellis adds a focal point for a climbing hydrangea to explore.

Above: Another before aspect

Above: After

Above: Another after shot from a different perspective.


Below: Before. When this patio was originally laid, it had a rotary washing line installed in its centre. Over time, water drained into the hole created by the washing line pole but could find no exit as there was a solid concrete base. During frosty conditions the moisture froze and lifted many of the slabs which had to be relaid. The shrubs were also in need of attention.

Below: After. The slabs have been relaid onto the correct type of base and pruning has stimulated new growth.

The comparative quote: Many people get a few quotes and take the cheapest. This is generally not a good way to procede as the cheapest quote is nearly always an under-quote or has been offered because the contractors are desperate for work. Once the contractors are on site their main priority will be to cut their own costs which is certainly not in the interest of the client.


Fed up with maintaining a lawn: Have an artificial one. I can supply and install.


Looking for an alternative to paving/tarmac: Try Meon; a new surface - very attractive. Ornamental gravel/shingle set over Tarmac. Very hard wearing and economical and also very tasteful.