Landscape - Garden Designers
Garden Designers
Garden design is part of most landscapers scope of work. Landscape architects certainly are garden designers. They must have a degree in landscape architecture and pass a rigorous set of examinations before they can design landscapes, most of which encompass gardens. They draw plans and sell them to the customer. They may or may not do the installation.
Landscape contractors are garden designers as well. They may install the architects' design or may operate independently with sketches or just ideas born from years of experience in gardening.
Good garden design can be done by most anyone. As long as the designer has a knowledge of plant material, growth patterns and climate, he can put together a stunning garden with hardscape components as well as trees, shrubs and flowers.
Garden design is not necessarily confined to professionals. Putting together a garden can be done by anyone who has a sense of what looks right. To those folks who say they are not designers, I have often said that anyone who can arrange furniture or dress themselves appropriately can design a garden.
Know where you want your garden, where you will enjoy it the most. Will it be a formal garden, an intricate design of hedges and trees with garden beds arranged in a strict pattern. Or will your garden be an informal one with flowers spilling all over randomly with paths rambling through it and a bench here and there for relaxing or meditation. Once you decide what fits you best, you can design your own garden.
If you choose to hire a professional, finding one is as easy as asking at your local nursery, looking online or in your yellow pages. When interviewing prospects, be sure the two of you get along, agree on what your needs are and can work together. Always see examples of his work, check his licenses and insurance and call the Better Business Bureau. Get a contract with the estimate, the scope of work the beginning date and the end date. Be sure you have chosen a designer you can work with and trust. Garden design is not just a professional imposing his ideas on you, but a cooperative process between the designer and you.
Garden Maintenance
Regular watering is the other major garden maintenace task. Obviously, without regular watering the garden will not produce as well and will eventually die. One can water the garden with a simple hose, but this unregulated water flow can damage plants and wash away too much dirt, exposing roots.