Why should you consider engaging a professional, independent landscape designer such as Seeds the Day Landscape Design?

1. As an independent designer, I work for you alone, not for a plant supplier, a nursery, or a landscaping company. I am not interested in selling you plants, decks, or paving. My only agenda is to design a garden that specifically meets your needs and desires.
2. Have you ever had the following experiences:
   1. Spending a lot of money and effort on plants, only to lose them because they didn't grow well in the area planted?
   2. Not buying enough plants for an area, because you were not sure if the plants would survive in your garden?
   3. Not knowing how many plants to buy, because you were not sure how large they would eventually get or exactly how much space you had?
3. I can help you avoid such costly and time-consuming mistakes by detailing where every plant, shrub, and tree should be planted, based on their sun and water requirements, their mature sizes, the colors and times of bloom, and a carefully measured garden. I will choose plants not just for their suitability to a particular location, but also for their ease of maintenance. My plans strive to give you a garden with three seasons of color plus winter interest.
4. If you plan to install your new landscape a section at a time over several years to fit your budget, my landscape design plans will provide continuity and ensure that all parts of your garden fit together harmoniously.
5. If you are a do-it-yourself type, you will be able to plant/build your new garden for maybe half the cost a contractor would charge. In addition to the regular design plans, I can give you construction drawings that will help you build the extra features you want (you may need local permits for some projects). I can also help you locate the plants you will be buying. Since I do a lot of gardening myself, I can give you tips on preparing your beds and planting your perennials properly.

Below is what I include in my full set of landscape designs:

• On-site Consultation, walk-around, discussion with you about what you need and want in your garden, consideration of the architectural style of the house and options for formal, informal, cottage-style or themed gardens, and quote for the complete set of designs. I will also show you examples of my work. There is an $80 fee for the consultation, which is applied toward the full design fee if a contract is signed.
• On-site Survey, which includes detailed measurements, levels, identification of existing trees and features, and photographs.
• Survey Plan (computer-aided) exactly to scale, professionally printed, showing your landscape as it currently is.
• Concept Plan: a colored, computer-drawn design, professionally printed, overhead view plan, showing the new garden design, which is presented to you for approval.
• Revised Concept Plan (if required).
• Hard Landscaping Plan (computer-drawn and professionally printed): details and dimensions of all landscape items to be built, such as: patios (stamped concrete, pavers, flagstone, flexible or rigid paving), driveways, decks, fencing, brick or stone walls, retaining walls, steps, pathways (brick, paved, gravel, or stepping stone), pergolas, arbors, water features (waterfalls, ponds, fountains, pond-less waterfalls), swimming pools, outdoor fireplaces, outdoor grills or kitchens, gazebos, sheds, or barns. The chosen landscape contractor will base his plans on these detailed drawings. My Hard Landscaping Plan specifies materials and recommended colors for everything.
• Planting Plan (computer drawn and professionally printed): a diagrammatic plan showing the name, location, and spacing of every plant, shrub, or tree for each major area of the landscape. (Large landscapes may have four or more planting plans.)
• Itemized Plant List: listing and number of each plant in the design by both scientific and common name, size to buy, and where it may be purchased.
• Plant Care Guide: general seasonal maintenance instructions for all the plants and trees listed in the Plant List.