Have you used a garden designer?

[Maggiethecat]

We're not keen gardeners - the pottering about type - but would like to have something nice.

We have some tomatoes and courgettes that we are going to put in grow bags like last year but am thinking of getting a designer in to help us to figure out what could work in terms of an overall plan.

I'm thinking that getting some advice on layout and types of plants that would work well would be good and then, depending on costs see how much help we'd need implementing.

Has anyone used a designer and do you think it was worth it?

My parents did and ended up taking it all back out so not entirely successful! But a friend did and ended up with a beautiful scheme all built around a central wildlife pond.

Have you tried designing yourself? We did that for the first time recently and the whole process of tracking sunlight, testing soil etc menat when we planted up it was much more successful than our old approach.

No, I've not but I know someone who did and it was a bit meh ..

Whether you use a designer or not, I'd set up a board on Pinterest and pin some things you like to help with planning.

@colouringcrayons - that sounds good if you know what you're doing. Did you use an app or website to help. Makes sense that you would plant according to how much sun you get where and the type of soil you have. I think you have to be committed and organised for it to work.

@savvy7 - always overlook Pinterest - will have a look at that too.

With designers I suppose it depends on who you get and how well you can convey what you want.

Hi, I made a project with the kids and we went out every hour to put a chalk mark on the fence where the sun came. We read up what counts as full sun, part sun, part shade, full shade.

Then I searched on plant websites for plants that matched the conditions, having chosen a colour theme and thought about when the plants would flower. I picked higher plants at the back and lower plants at the front.

It has worked out OK! I have very little experience but would definitely be happy to try again. It probably isn't super stylish but I have learnt loads and it wasn't too expensive in plants.

Have you considered doing gardening classes or a short garden design course? Someone like Anne Britt can give you useful advice on planting schemes and simple designs etc.

I got three garden designers to quote. I really was open to any suggestions, and wanted a walled secret garden feel.

I was utterly underwhelmed. They basically asked me to draw out what I wanted! If I knew that, I wouldn't have needed a designer. I don't know what they would've come up with as even a basic initial design was about £500.
The full design plus implementation was ££££££.
I did it myself in the end.

@colouringcrayons - sounds it was a family project which must be satisfying for you all.

@MapleMay11 - not sure I want to commit to a course but I’ll probably go online for some basic information so that even if I did get professional help I’d have an idea of what I like.

@Candleabra - 😂