Our Design Process
Each stage of our process has been crafted to ensure we create the perfect design for you. One that meets all of your desires and needs and that is delivered on time and on budget. We create a timing plan and an upfront quotation for each phase so you always know what’s involved.
Consult | Design | Source | Plant
Most of our clients work with us from consultation through to planting, but some are just looking for a bit of garden advice, design inspiration or aftercare knowledge. We’re happy to help, whatever your needs.
Questionnaire
To make sure our design recommendations are tailored specifically to you, we like to know as much about your needs as possible – all in 20 questions.
Our Pitchfork & Pencil online questionnaire can be filled in on any device and provides us with an understanding of what you want to get out of your garden, how much (or little) time you want to spend maintaining it and most importantly how you can get the most enjoyment out of it.
When you engage our services we’ll send you a link and start the process of turning your current garden, into the perfect garden.
Survey
Every garden is different and so it’s important that we measure the site and take into consideration anything that may effect the design such as aspect, drainage, hazards, neighbours, boundaries, soil-type and other observations we note whilst on site. If suitable this is also when we will take soil samples to analyse so that the plants we recommend are suitable for your garden.
Workshop
We like to work with you to ensure you feel part of the design process from the start. So, with all of our clients we'll share inspirational designs, themes, images, plant lists and ideas through an in-person workshop at your home.
By going through all aspects of your perfect design, it’s a great time to hone in on the elements you’d like to feature in your dream garden. We’ll talk through hard and soft landscaping options as well as planting, colour palettes and other features you may want to consider based on your garden’s theme, aspect and use.
The workshop normally takes up to 2 hours and we’ll follow-up with moodboard references so you can see your garden come to life on a page before we start the design drawings. It also gives you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.
Design
Once we have a clear understanding of your site, including measurements, survey and moodboard we start creating the design, bringing all of these aspects together. On completion we will present the design to you in person, noting any amends or changes you may have. On approval we provide measured drawings with planting plans.
It is then up to you whether you would like to instruct a landscaper of your choice, one we can recommend or maybe carry out the works yourself.
Landscapers should review our drawings, ask us any questions and then provide you with their own quotation for the works. We do not take any responsibility for quotations provided by landscapers or builders. We recommend all landscapers check the site themselves to ensure they are happy with the project and so they can take their own measurements as they need for accurate costings.
Source & Plant
Most clients like us to source and plant all of the trees and plants for them. We source all our plants from British Nurseries and even locally where possible. We recommend all planting is done between March to the end of May, or between September to end October to ensure all plants have the best opportunity to establish and thrive. All planting is subject to the landscaper providing well prepared and enriched planting areas.
We provide full costs before ordering any plants, soil conditioner or other items that we will need for planting. Once complete, we can also provide an aftercare document so you know how to look after your garden. Just let us know in advance.