Landscape Design has been a part of my life for the last 8 years. My interest started as a helper at a local CSA and Farmer’s Market, grew into floral design and plant nurseries and has budded into a career as a landscape designer with experience in consultation, design, installation and maintenance.
Services:
-
Garden in Covert, NY 1 year after installation
consultation
- design work
- garden installation
- yard and garden maintenance
- educational workshops
The Design Process:
I usually start all projects by meeting the client, walking around the property and finding out what the issues or needs may be for the particular site. I will ask about practical site issues like drainage, buried utilities, and site access. I will also ask about personal preferences such as seasonal interest, height or color requirements, design influences or special issues like children, pets or even deer!
I will put together an estimate of the work based on the materials and labor needed to complete the project and typically include things like plant photos, design sketches or even a color rendered planting plan. I try to work within a fairly tight budget, and will often come up with a ‘master’ plan for a yard, and tackle smaller projects each year to help meet the budget of the client.
Once a budget and plan is set, I ask for half of the project cost up front to pay for most of the materials and then when the project is completed to the client’s satisfaction, the balance is due. I leave careful instructions for plant care and maintenance, but often contract to take care of the installations after they are completed.
Partners:
I often consult with other experts in the industry, such as arborists, stone masons, contractors and nursery specialists to help complete projects for my clients.
The best projects start with a good foundation… and that is soil. If the soil is unhealthy the plant material just won’t survive. But if you put the investment of amending or replacing the soil (as needed) the garden will reward you 100-fold!
I work with a great group of folks based in Trumansburg, NY – Cayuga Compost / P & S Excavating. Besides the excavation side of the business, they have high quality gravel, stone, sifted soil and mulch and are a leader in compost material. They are the only supplier in a 60 mile radius that supplies a 50% soil, 50% compost mix, which is my favored material to plant in.
For stonework I have worked with a husband and wife team, Mike & Terri Foster, exclusively for the last 2 years. Their workmanship is of the highest quality and they have an integrity to match. They do lawn care and maintenance work in addition to their stone patios, walkways and walls. To contact them directly, feel free to call (315) 729-2269.
Some examples of their work:
Stonework – Mike & Terri Foster
Plant Material:
When possible, I will source plants from local nurseries, and will search for the best quality and price available. Some of my favorite local nurseries:
- Cayuga Landscape – wide variety of traditional and unique plants
- The Plantsmen – great selection of native plants
- Plantasia – superb quality wholesale and retail nursery
- Ithaca Agway – great plants as well as soil amendments, fertilizers and tools
- Dickman Farms – cross section of annuals, trees and shrubs
