Services
I work with each client to create a bespoke selection of garden design or maintenance services to suit their needs.
For a complete and comprehensive garden transformation, I recommend using all the services listed in ‘Full Garden Design’ package. However, other services are also available and we can discuss the best options for your current situation.
See below for more details.
Packages of Services
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Full Garden Design
A comprehensive and bespoke service to create a thoughtful and beautiful design that optimises your garden’s potential.
✔ Mood boards to determine style
✔ Concept Plan - simplified design
✔ Detailed Outline Plan - scaled design
✔ Construction drawings
✔ Planting plan - with seasonal charts
✔ Scope of works - for landscape contractors
✔ Support during tendering process
✔ Project monitoring during construction
✔ Additional finishing touches - if needed
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Planting Plan
Transform your existing garden with a bespoke planting plan, created to introduce colour, visual interest, seasonal variety, or more biodiversity into your borders.
✔ Planting mood board
✔ Seasonal colour chart
✔ Scale drawing of planting areas
✔ Detailed planting plan
✔ Planting schedule for nurseries
Additional optional service:
✔ Source quality plants
✔ Setting out and planting
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Garden Consultation
A one-off consultation is an ideal option if you want some guidance without committing to a full design. This service is ideal if you are looking for advice on a small plant border, ideas without scaled drawings, or working with a limited budget.
✔ Face-to-face meeting (1-3 hours)
✔ Discuss possible options for your garden
✔ General planting suggestions for your site
✔ Notes summarising discussion points
This services does not include:
✗ Drawings of potential design
✗ Suggestions for quantities or layout of plants
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Garden Maintenance
I also offer regular garden maintenance services, including weeding and tidying boarders, pruning shrubs and fruit trees, pond care, and tending vegetables.
I use organic methods to support healthy and ecologically diverse gardens.
✔ Planting and pruning
✔ Weeding and pest control
✔ Orchard management
✔ Seasonal planting and maintenance
✔ Vegetable and herb gardening
✔ Garden cleanup
✔ Hedge trimming (up to 6 feet high)
Summary of Individual Services
See below for a detailed summary of each service on offer and how they can be used to optimise your garden’s potential.
Mood Board
All projects start with a mood board. This is an opportunity to create some points of reference for our initial discussions. It can sometimes be a process of elimination with a focus on creating an imagined atmosphere and mood. It is an opportunity to explore textures, materials and a sense of aesthetic.
Pencil Sketches - Concept Plan
Once we have a clearer idea of the atmosphere of the garden, I can then create loose hand-drawn sketches to help zone the space, understand the journey through the garden and how it sits in relation with the house. This Concept Plan provides a simplified version of the final garden design.
Detailed Outline Plan
Outline plans are detailed, 2D drawings, drawn to scale using information from the site survey and concept plan pencil sketches. The Outline Plan shows the garden from above and sets out all elements of the design. Clear labels add detail to the drawing, showing specific measurements, level changes, and hard landscape details. Supplemental sketches may be included to aid visualisation, such as elevation drawings and site sections as required.
Construction Drawings
Once you are happy with the Detailed Outline Plan, I then produce construction drawings along with the invaluable specification document. Both of these enable the Landscaper to provide a detailed and accurate quote. If planning permission is required, an application can be submitted at this stage.
Planting Plan
As part of the 2D detailed outline plan, I can prepare a planting plan, mood board and seasonal charts. This ensures that you are happy with the palette, tone, and seasonal interest of the proposed plants. A planting schedule is also created to enable us to quote for the number of plants required. Specific trees and plants can be sourced by Gemma to ensure the best quality plants are selected.
Preparing Scope of Works, Tendering & Choosing Contractors
A scope of works document is drawn up for each trade working on the design and allows contractors to quote for the work. It provides a detailed breakdown of the project (e.g., milestones, deliverables, end products, CDM / Health and Safety info, etc.) that are expected from each contractor to ensure there are no misunderstandings whilst on site.
I am not affiliated with any landscape contractors, as I believe a competitive tendering for landscape works usually delivers the best overall value for money for our clients. Based on experience, site location, and design specifications we can compile a short list of contractors and invite them to quote. Once the prospective contractors have submitted their tenders we will report back to you, and if necessary arrange an appointment to discuss the quotations and advise on which contractor would be most suitable. I will also arrange a pre-start meeting with the contractor to agree details and sign the documents.
NB: General builders, as a rule, do not have the required expertise.
Construction Phase
Once the contractors are on site I can be in close contact to monitor progress. If helpful, I can also schedule regular visits at key milestones to ensure every element of the build is delivered as specified in the concept plan and scope of work.
When the hard landscaping is completed I can arrange delivery of the plants and trees to site. I am also able to offer an additional planting service, which ensures the finishing touches are in place as outlined in the planting plan.
Finishing Touches & Maintenance
I also offer additional services to help enhance your new garden. This can include a lighting plan to subtly enhance the planting and creating an atmospheric space. Irrigation plans to help ensure your new plants get established and flourish throughout the year. Or selecting furniture and garden accessories to add the finishing touches to your new garden.
As a self-employed gardener, I am available to provide ongoing garden maintenance, so that your garden continues to look at its best.
Getting Started
The information above describes the range of services on offer. I am happy to work flexibly with clients and to help you pick the relevant services according to your needs. If you want to know more, click on the + for details on how to get started:
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If you are interested in my garden design or maintenance services, please email a few photos of your garden and we will arrange a call to discuss. It’s helpful to know the rough size of your garden and a wish list of ideas so we can get things started.
Email: gardensbygemma@gmail.com
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To discuss your project in more detail, we can have a telephone call, video chat or face-to-face meeting to establish your requirements and budget.
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Following on from our initial chat, if you are interested in a full garden design service, I can arrange a site survey to fully measure your garden and to take into account any level changes, existing drainage, trees and plants. For other services, we can discuss and agree next steps.
Get in Contact
If you would like to discuss your garden project in more detail or have any questions, I would be delighted to hear from you. Please complete the contact form via the link below.