I focus on creating unique gardens that are tailored to the landscape and the needs/wants of the client. Emphasis is given on creating exciting ecological gardens that are meant to attract pollinators and birds. If you’re looking for something unique, you have found the right garden designer.
What makes EARTHeim great?
- You have choices during the design process and I meet with you to receive your feedback during the concept phase. Clients have expressed they like this and other companies they hired never did this!
- Each garden design is completely custom. This creates a garden suited to the site and your needs.
- Thoughtful and meaningful gardens
- Avoids commonly used landscape techniques that does not serve the homeowner
- Avoids the same generic, overly used, or invasive plants you see everywhere.
- Ecological Native Plant Gardens
- Wildlife & Pollinator Gardens
- Easements & Front Yard Gardens
- Edible Gardens & Homesteads
- Backyard Wedding Garden Designs
- Container Gardens
EARTHeim has worked with homeowners, businesses, municipalities, non-profits, and organizations with private or public garden spaces. Projects range in size from small perennial beds to whole properties and everything in between.
I also offer Virtual Designs. Contact me to Learn More
Why is a Design Important?
Having a professional design will save you money, time, and hard work in the long run. Garden design is a creative skill and a design is a well thought out plan for its implementation.
Having a design is an important process so the client can be sure they’re getting the landscape and garden they want. Design is not an after thought, it’s an important part of the landscape process.
I listen to your wants and needs, and look closely at the landscape to see how it can all be best put together. The design process also includes 1 or more visits with the client in which we have a conversation about the design and how it’s developing.
Having a design plan will avoid costly mistakes of common issues like planting too closely, poor plant choices, over or under buying, going over budget or not utilizing the budget properly, or the garden not turning out like envisioned.
Design work is a professional skill and requires many hours of work. Design work has its own fee and does not carry towards installation work.
The Design Process
- On-Site Consultation
At this meeting we will walk the site and talk about the possibilities of your project. I will make recommendations based on what I see and our discussion.
You will receive typed notes from our meeting. You may request preliminary design sketches for an additional fee.
I will provide you with a design quote if requested.
2. Design Acceptance
Congrats! Once I receive your design agreement and a deposit, you are on my work queue.
1. Conceptual Design Phase
I will begin by taking a more detailed site analysis, then begin design concepts for your garden. I will form ideas based on our discussions and any design boards you’ve sent me. These ideas include garden bed layouts, plant choices, and ideas for hard surfaces or design features.
2. Concept Design Feedback
We will meet digitally to review these concepts choices. I will take your feedback during this phase to make edits. If it’s a large or more complicated project, we may meet more than once.
3. Final Design Phase
The final step in the design process is to assemble the concept plans, elements, plant choices, and materials into the final plan.
4. Final Design Presentation
We will meet digitally to review the final plan and discuss installation plans.
5. Final Product
You will receive a printed and/or digital version of the design plan. It will be a ‘to-scale’ black and white digitally rendered design. Most designs are on a 24″x36″ sheet, but smaller designs may be done on an 8.5″x11″ sheet.
You will also receive supporting documents, the concept sketch and plant images in digital form.
The design balance is due at this time.
6. Installation
From here you can install the garden design at your own free will, or request an installation quote.
7. Landscape Management
Managing your landscape is the key to its success and should not be an after thought. If EARTHeim installs your garden, I will provide some key landscape care tips for your garden. You may also have EARTHeim maintain your garden. My availability is limited for this service.
Ready to Get Started? Schedule the Consultation
Project Inquiries
You may contact me at anytime of the year to inquire about your project. Every landscaping project is unique and will have its own timeline. Please contact me to inquire about an estimated timeline.
Design Schedules
I encourage clients to contact me about design work in late summer/fall for a winter/spring completion date. I work on designs year-round, but focus on design work from November through April, those 6 months of the year when there is minimal work being done outside.
I work on designs from May-September, but these are completed slower due to focusing on installations and maintenance. I may be able to complete smaller design projects during this time.
The following graphic shows the typical work season of any landscaping business. Timelines will vary according to the nature of the project, current customer workload, the weather, and availability of materials.
Consultations
- Lead time for consultations in the slower months: 1-2 weeks weather depending.
- Lead time during busy months: 2-3 weeks.
- During times of overwhelm, I may begin a waitlist.
Designs
I generally work on designs in the order clients provide the signed contract and a deposit. Smaller designs may be able to be completed sooner.
The earlier you contact me about a design, the earlier it can be installed as well.
Installations
Installation timeline depends on the size of the project, supply availability, and weather. Plantings can be installed from May-October. Hardscaping work may be worked on during the off-months.
EARTHeim Landscape Design Lexington Kentucky 