Ruth Bridgeman
Garden Design
​​Initial designs
We build your perfect brief together via a questionnaire and site meeting.
For small to medium sized gardens I use this to create an 'Initial design package' for you, including a basic layout (agreed by you), a concept board and masterplan. I walk through this with you onsite and we discuss next steps. You will also be given printouts and a PDF of the design.
For gardens larger than about half an acre/ 2000m2, or with very distinctly separate areas, the system is a bit different as you'll need an overall layout and concept to organise the space first. Then you'll need more specific
masterplans for each area. I usually make a site visit and then do a specific quote once it's clear what the project will involve.
Prices start at £580 for this initial design service.
Next steps
The basic process is as follows:
1, define what further information/ drawings are needed; structural/ material specifications/ planting etc.
2, Produce all of these to create a package that can be used to create a tender for contractors to build the hard landscaping. I also use this to budget all the planting and additional items/ aspects required.
3, Manage the tender process between all the required parties. I have very good contacts throughout all aspects of the industry.
4, Arrange a schedule and book everything.
Build process guide
1, Clearing the site as needed and marking out the design
2, Build all the hard landscaping
3, Install any irrigation/ lighting/ electrics needed
4, Backfill/ reorganise and enrich any soil as needed
5, Supply and install planting (this can look sparse initially as we usually plant to final spaces required but use smaller plants which are more likely to thrive)
6, Enjoy
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Future expectations
In 6 months from the build, the space will start to bed in and the plants will start to fill out,
1 year it will look much fuller
2 years it will look like it's been there forever.
Sometimes you just want a fresh pair of qualified, experienced eyes to come along and take an overall look at your garden. I can then come up with honest ideas, thoughts and opinions of which direction to take your project in which we can discuss together.
To book a consultancy site visit* please send me a note about your project via the form here, I look forward to hearing from you.
*If you choose to commission a design following this visit, the fee for this will be deducted from the design fee.
Layout plans specify everything you need in your space & show where to put them so it all functions beautifully. Getting the right balance of lounge/ dining/ storage/ parking/ garden admin/ lawns/ play/ planting/ views/ access etc etc is absolutely crucial to building a successful garden.
Planting plans specify the best type and quantity of plants to achieve the look, successful growth and maintenance level that you want. We can also supply and install everything you need for a new area of planting.
Please click here to enquire about this service.
Beautiful gardens need beautiful structures to form the basis of the space. Often these can't be bought off the shelf so I design bespoke ones. My craft background and collaboration with Ben Broadly, a skilled and imaginative joiner allows us to create perfect unique pieces together.
We've worked together for years on everything from Shou Sugi Ban (burnt) Japanese cladding to mirrored invisible treehouses..... It's a lot of fun to see what we can come up with next.
Click here to see more of Ben's work.
I have a particular interest in kitchen gardens, a designated spot to grow food for your plate, flowers for your table or both. I love that as well as permanent plants, you can also change your mind every year as to what to grow; family wedding= all white flowers, halloween competition= huge pumpkins, children everywhere= strawberries & raspberries... the possibilities are endless & great to get everyone involved. I've built kitchen gardens of every size and strongly believe they're great for the soul and a fun way to be outdoors.
For previous clients I also offer a seedling service for annual cut flowers, the benefit is that you get a good variety of blooms without buying loads of different seeds- just plant them, water and wait....!
It's easy to see how quickly the climate is shifting when your life is planned around expected weather patterns. Humanity's damaging actions mean we now cannot predict conditions, this is a nightmare for gardens. So, as designers we have a responsibility to build sustainable gardens. However if we get it right, gardens can actually contribute positively to the environment. Enough positive gardens can create real change.
Cooling/ cleaning the air & increasing biodiversity are just some of the well documented effects of greener spaces, even tiny little ones can make a change to the wider world.
Gardens take time to establish and they can need extra care while that happens. To help with this we can offer ongoing support to clients, whether that's being on the end of the phone, occasional visits to take stock and advise on jobs, or regular practical help.
For cut flower gardens we grow a wide range of seedlings every year, you can book a variety of these to stock your garden for the summer. It's a very easy way to get gorgeous blooms easily without dealing with hundreds of seeds!
