Have you ever wondered when the best time might be to embark on a new garden design?

While spring might seem like the natural choice for many, the beginning of the year offers a secret garden planning window that's too good to overlook. Winter's chill, with its stripped-back foliage and stark branches, provides a clear, unobstructed view—ideal for planning the lush garden you'll adore in warmer months.

If you delay your garden redesign until spring, you may unexpectedly join the seasonal rush. Securing the necessary materials at the last minute can be surprisingly challenging, and sourcing availability in a landscape professional's fully booked schedule may prove as elusive as locating a four-leaf clover.

Our advice? Plan ahead and ensure peace of mind.

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

We specialise in turning your horticultural dreams into reality. Don’t wait for the spring hustle when you can get a head start on your garden design now. We excel in crafting breathtaking outdoor canvases that fuse sculptural elegance with a kaleidoscope of hues.

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It takes time to plan, discuss and agree on 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.

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

When preparing for a garden design project, here are some of the typical questions we might ask in our initial discussions.

1. Purpose and Vision: "What are your main goals for the garden?"

2. Design Preferences: "Do you have favourite garden styles or plants?"

3. Budget and Timeline: "What budget range do you have in mind, and by when do you need the garden completed?"

4. Indoor-Outdoor Flow: "How do you imagine moving between your indoor and outdoor spaces?"

5. Architectural Harmony: "Should the garden reflect any aspects of your home’s style?"

6. Outdoor Usage: "What activities do you envision in your garden expansion?"

7. Privacy and Ambience: "How private and what kind of atmosphere are you aiming to create in your garden?"

10 key stages for your new garden

1. Brief

2. Site visit

3. Timeline and budget discussion

4. Design, mood board and indicative cost presentation

5. Design refinement, construction drawings and material selections

6. Budget and schedule presented

7. Materials, bespoke elements and specialist plants sourced

8. Logistical planning (permits, cranes etc)

9. Installation

10. 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 or April 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