There are few things more satisfying than a garden of one’s own, beautifully designed and carefully laid out. It can be a hugely rewarding project if you have the time and the tools to handle it from start to finish. Of course, many people don’t, and there’s nothing wrong with that. When planning any large gardening project, it’s always worthwhile getting professional advice and assistance from a trained and experienced landscape gardener.
What Does a Landscape Gardener Do?
To determine the answer to the question ‘When Do You Need a Landscape Gardener ?’, we’re going to look at a few things a professional landscape gardener can do for you and when you might need to call them in to assist with your gardening project. These are some of the key roles they perform:
Garden Design
There’s more to designing a garden than drawing out borders for your plants and boundaries for your lawn. You need to take the type of soil into account to ensure that plants and grass grow lush and verdant. You also need to consider the natural drainage of your garden to prevent flooding in rainy weather. A professional landscape gardener can advise you on this, drawing up drainage beds and recommending the right topsoil to incorporate into your design.
Digging Up and Laying Down
Once you have designed your new garden, you need to make reality match the vision – this requires skill and experience, as well as the right tools for the job. This process tends to fall into two broad areas. Groundwork involves shaping and levelling the garden itself, often using excavators and rollers to do the job. Once the groundwork is done, you need to consider the laying down of pathways, patios, and decking, as well as edges, fencing, decorative gravel, and more. It’s rewarding work but can be both exhausting and time-consuming, which is why many instruct a landscape gardener for the job.
Planting and General Garden Work
With the heavy work done, you might think the rest of your garden project is easy, and we hope it is. However, you still need to choose the right plants for the soil and plant them to an appropriate depth with the right support. You also need to cultivate them throughout the year if they are to flourish – this can include pruning, crowning, replanting, and more. Most landscape gardeners can assist you with these tasks or recommend low-maintenance varieties that require less hands-on attention.
The Difference Between Hard and Soft Landscaping
When many people think of landscaping, they think in terms of grasses, plants, and trees, but that’s only part of it. The greenery of your garden (which includes the size and shape of any lawns, hills, and dips) is called soft landscaping, while hard landscaping is the introduction of non-natural materials to your garden – these include pathways, patios, and decking, to sheds, greenhouses, and fencing. Even statues, decorative wells, and other ornamentation fall in the hard landscaping category. Knowing the difference and how to combine them is a key role of the landscape gardener.
Role of a Landscape Gardener: Final Thoughts
We hope our When Do You Need a Landscape Gardner article has answered the question of what does a landscape gardener do? If you’re planning a gardening project in Blackheath, Chislehurst, or the surrounding area, and need the assistance of an experienced landscape gardener, do not hesitate to get in touch. Contact MK Landscape and Design LTD today on 07477 798962 or drop us an email to info@mk-landscapes.com – a member of our team will be happy to call you back.
