PROJECT PLANNING
IS IT WORTH HIRING A LANDSCAPER TO TRANSFORM AND SHAPE THE GARDEN OF YOUR DREAMS?
M aybeyou dream of having your unloved and unkempt garden completely revamped? Or do you long for lush flower-filled borders and perennial planting that ensures your garden looks just as good in the depths of winter as it does in summertime? Then it could be worth enlisting the help of a garden landscaper to help make your dreams a reality.
Many people might be put off by the idea of spending money on their outside space, especially with the current costs of living tightening our belts. But you don’t need an enormous budget to achieve great results, because garden design and landscaping can be affordable for all – you just need to know what you’re looking for and how much of the work – if any – you are able and willing to do yourself.
WHAT EXACTLY IS GARDEN LANDSCAPING?
‘In the US, a lot of garden and landscape designers describe themselves as “exterior designers”, which I think is a lot more useful to help people understand the whole process,’ says expert Tabi Jackson Gee, founder of TJG Gardens (tjg-gardens.com).
Much in the same way you might hire an interior designer to help you create an interior scheme for, say, your living room, or help you design a new kitchen, you can hire a landscape designer to do the same with your garden, with climbers, grass and raised beds in place of wallpaper, carpet and the rest.
The word ‘landscaping’ covers any changes that you make to your outdoor space. This can include anything from building new fencing or walls, to introducing new bedding areas and even planting trees.
This means that a garden landscaper’s knowledge is pretty wide, covering the structural side of the design, as well as the planting. Considerations such as a garden’s orientation, soil type and layout are also part of the designer’s expertise and allow them to make the best choice of planting for your garden, to give it the best chance of thriving for years.
‘Most good designers can do both,’ explains Tabi. ‘You need an incredible amount of knowledge not just of plants but of different materials, building practices, costs, supply chains – and it’s this that allows a designer to help a client get the most from their garden.’
HOW MUCH ARE GARDEN LANDSCAPING COSTS?
The cost to landscape a garden will vary, depending on what you want to achieve and your location. Experienced landscapers typically charge £150 to £200 per day, according to experts at MyJobQuote (myjobquote.co.uk). If you have a firm budget in place and know exactly what you want, you can tailor the garden to suit your spending limitations.
