What Is a Garden Consultation? (And Why It’s the Best First Step for Your Dream Garden)
If you’ve ever stood in your backyard imagining raised beds overflowing with vegetables, herbs spilling over in pots, or a garden that’s as beautiful as it is productive—but didn’t know quite where to begin—you’re not alone. Creating a successful, sustainable garden takes more than just inspiration. It takes planning, insight, and a thoughtful understanding of your space.
That’s where a garden consultation comes in.
So, What Is a Garden Consultation?
A garden consultation is a one-on-one, 60-minute on-site visit where I meet you in your garden-to-be and help you begin the journey from vision to reality. Whether you’re starting from scratch, reworking an existing space, or just feeling overwhelmed by all the choices, a consultation helps you take the guesswork out of the process.
Think of it as a walk-through with a garden coach, designer, and soil-obsessed problem solver—all in one.
What Happens During the Visit?
Every consultation is customized to the needs of the space and the client, but here’s what a typical visit includes:
🌞 Sunlight Evaluation – I assess where the light hits your garden throughout the day and how it shifts seasonally. Understanding sun patterns is key to plant placement.
💧 Water Source Assessment – I look at where your hoses, rain barrels, or irrigation sources are—and how we can make watering as easy and efficient as possible.
🏡 Structures & Boundaries – From fences and sheds to patios and overhanging trees, I consider how existing elements can either support or limit your growing space.
🌱 Soil & Slope Observations – I visually assess the soil condition, drainage, compaction, and topography to inform any amendment or bed-building recommendations.
🌿 Vision & Priorities Conversation – We talk about what you want from your garden: Is it a beautiful focal-point for your yard? A kitchen garden that produces a ton of food? A pollinator-friendly oasis? Your goals shape the design.
What You Receive After the Visit
The consultation doesn’t end when I leave your yard. Within a week, you’ll receive:
A custom design sketch outlining a proposed layout
A written summary of our discussion, including recommendations
A project estimate for optional design or implementation services
Suggestions for next steps, whether you want to DIY, work with me on a full design, or bring in additional help
Some clients take the consultation and run with it, ready to dig in the next weekend. Others decide to move forward with a more detailed design or enlist me for ongoing support. Either way, this is your foundation for confident, informed, and successful gardening.
Why Start with a Consultation?
A garden consultation is more than advice—it’s an investment in doing things right the first time. It helps you avoid costly mistakes like placing your beds in the shade, planting at the wrong time, or using the wrong soil mix. It also brings clarity, excitement, and real momentum to your project.
Whether you’re dreaming of cherry tomatoes at your back door, fresh herbs outside your kitchen window, or a full-on foodscape, a consultation is your launching point.
Let’s walk your space together and bring your garden to life—one sunbeam, seedling, and sketch at a time.
Ready to book your consultation? Contact me and let’s get growing!