When is the best time to think about a new garden?

Midsummer, when you're clinking cocktail glasses with friends on the lawn, but a tad embarrassed by your patchy planting?

Or spring time, when new shoots are peeping through but you realise your hedge is failing, your design is all wrong and there is nowhere to situate your outdoor dining area?

Actually, the best time is today.

Engage now with garden design and planting specialists such as Alaster Anderson and you will steal a march on all those who wait.

The quieter winter months are the perfect time to set us to work on designs, costing and ordering for your transformed garden. We’re experts at turning gardens into showstopping works of living art, with sculptural forms and astonishing colour palettes.

But just like Rome wasn’t built in a day, neither is a sophisticated garden.

When to talk to us

It takes time to plan, discuss and agree a garden.

The length of time this takes depends on the size of the project and how quickly decisions are made. It may have to evolve because it's a collaborative project between multiple parties, for example architects, interior designers, Alaster Anderson and the client or their representative (structural engineers or specialist consultants).

Bespoke materials, such as paving cut to a certain size, or unique furniture, water features and handmade pots must be made to order. These can have lead times from 12-20 weeks, so we need to avoid delay to prevent disappointment.

If the garden is to be created alongside a home renovation, garden planning needs to start at the same time as planning for the house gets underway. This is when it is crucial to consider and agree the budget, as complex renovation works can have an impact on what is going on in the garden and therefore the costs involved.

10 key stages for your new garden

Brief
Site visit
Timeline and budget discussion
Design, mood board and indicative cost presentation
Design refinement, construction drawings and material selections
Budget and schedule presented
Materials, bespoke elements and specialist plants sourced
Logistical planning (permits, cranes etc)
Installation
Delighted client relaxes in their glorious new outdoor space!

Plan ahead – and start now

We often programme jobs months in advance and run a busy diary of pre-booked jobs.

So don’t wait until March and the warmer weather before deciding your garden needs a total overhaul to get it ready for those summer drinks parties and lazy days lounging in the sun.

We’ll need time to design, plan and programme the works.

And we’d hate to have to say we can’t fit you in …

If we can help you with your garden then please get in touch. You can reach us on 0207 305 7183 or email at enquire@alasteranderson.com