Jo Manfredi-Hamer is open for business and operating within Covid-19 restrictions.

We are conducting initial consultations outdoors whilst maintaining a 2 metre distance.  Alternatively, initial consultations can be carried out on Whatsapp or via Zoom, with or without a follow up visit to the garden.  Surveys are carried out on our own in the garden and designs can be presented via Zoom/Whatsapp or in the garden.

Planting plans can be provided entirely remotely if dimensions of a bed or border are provided and we can help you to test your soil.  Spring is one of the best times to get planting so don't delay as it is just around the corner!

Landscapers are incredibly busy so, if you would like a new improved garden space for 2021, contact us today.

Testing soil for PH and to find out its structure is crucial to any planting scheme.  

Many plants that would thrive in acidic soil would struggle in alkaline and vice versa.  

It is also important to know whether your soil is clay, sandy or loamy in structure.  Some plants love the high moisture content of clay soils whilst others need free draining conditions to succeed.  

Knowing the type of soil you have will help to inform what sort of design scheme would suit the site.  There is no point dreaming of a Mediterranean scheme if your site is wet in winter and slow to dry out in spring.  

Jo Manfredi-Hamer Garden Design will always do a soil test and assess the light and shade in different parts of your garden.  Only then will a planting plan be prepared.

Many people don't realise that the autumn and winter months are great times to plan a new garden for the following spring/summer. 

You can take your time to really think about what you want to do in your garden next year and discuss your ideas leisurely with your garden designer.  Then, when you've got a plan, they can seek quotes from trusted landscapers who will then be able to book you in to their busy schedules next year.  

Often clients do not come to me until late spring but they then find themselves in a queue for good landscapers and, before you know it, the summer is passing by.  So, whilst you may be stuck indoors unexpectedly more often over the next few months, why not use that time to think about increasing the value of your outside space.  

​I am permitted to work outdoors during lockdown where necessary to carry out a survey on my own and can work completely remotely to you.  We just need to be able to discuss your needs and wants and that can be done on WhatsApp or Zoom or even on the telephone.

We are open for business and observing Government guidance on working outdoors.  Initial consultations can be conducted outdoors whilst observing the 2 metre distancing rule.  This does not prevent normal business and subsequent surveys etc.

If you are shielding and do not wish to meet we can take instructions over the telephone or via email, WhatsApp or Zoom.

We hope all our clients are keeping safe and enjoying their gardens at this very difficult time.

In the never ending uncertainty that is BREXIT I have found that people are not wishing to risk their finances by moving house.  Instead, it seems the trend is to invest in what you have already which means that people are extending their houses and investing in making their homes more valuable.

Adding a great front and back garden is a really savvy way to add value to your home so now is a great time to consider that.

I also have been inundated with requests to visit houses in the process of renovation and I have learnt some key wisdom which you might bear in mind when renovating:

• DO think about how any extension will affect your garden before you proceed. It is best to know upfront if an extension is going to leave you with an awkward shaped plot before it happens so that you can taken steps to lessen the impact;
• DO bear in mind that an extension may seriously limit the room you have for diggers and other equipment after it is built- it may be best to effect any changes to your garden before it becomes too difficult to access later;
• DO think about where the access points, to and from the garden, will be in relation to the house following the extension.

 I can help give an initial view on any plans and I can look beyond any building chaos - after all, visualising your new space is what I do.

I am excited to announce that I have designed this garden to highlight mental health awareness.  The garden will be at the Harrogate Flower Show from 25-28 April and is proudly supporting Leeds Mind, the Leeds mental health charity which provides support and information when people need it most.

I was inspired to create the garden after helping someone close to me through mental health issues and I wanted to show that there is light at the end of the tunnel - people can learn to manage their mental health with help and support.  

The garden reflects features of mental health suffering and recovery - from self-harm to counselling to help to manage the very real pain that those with these issues experience. 

The features include:
Upright strips which represent the injuries inflicted in self-harm;
A table and chairs representing counselling through talking therapies;
Gabions with dark pebbles (to symbolise how sufferers feel they are depressed) which change into paler coloured pebbles as they recover with counselling and support; 
Objects representing activities often chosen to combat mental health issues.

A polished stone spherical sculpture, provided by David Harber, will provide a strong focal point at the culmination of the journey around the garden, evidencing a new inner strength and positivity in dealing with mental health issues after adopting strategies developed through talking therapies and other forms of mental health support.

People getting behind the garden to support it include:

Johnsons of Whixley - nurserymen.co.uk
Stone Warehouse - stonewarehouse.co.uk
Marshalls - marshalls.co.uk
David Harber - davidharber.co.uk
3volution - 3volution.co.uk

What is the key to designing a beautiful front garden?

The truth is that front gardens require a lot of thought.  A good design can add value to your home - so-called 'kerb appeal'.  However, it is not just about aesthetics.  Here are some things to consider:

1.  Where will you put your bins?

2. How much room do you need for the car to come in and turn or reverse out again?

3.  Where are the services coming into and off the property?

4.  Do you want to screen your front garden or show it off?

​5.  How will you light the entrance to your garden?

6.  Will your design be SUDS compliant? (SUDS is short for sustainable urban drainage system - the law requires you to think about this before you pave your front garden.)

Beyond the practical aspects, it's a matter of assessing an appropriate theme or concept for your garden around which to develop the design.  Some people believe that front gardens should be formal and tidy.  I think that's ok but too restrictive.  Yes, a formal garden could be just the thing to complement a Georgian style house but may look inappropriate in a more natural setting.  A good design will take all these points on board as well as accommodating what you want to do in your front garden. 

I have been really busy recently but I managed to squeeze in a day off today and visited Goddards House and Garden - the home of Terrys chocolatier Noel Terry.  I was not disappointed and the visit highlighted a very important point.

​The home and garden are in perfect harmony with each other which is no accident as the garden designer, George Millstone, worked very closely with the architect, Walter Brierley to bring the arts and crafts style to life in this place.  Garden designers understand that a garden should sit well in its setting and so the style of house is crucial to the style of the garden.  So, very often garden designers will work alongside architects when new house builds are planned or even when a new conservatory or extension is planned.  This makes perfect logical sense and, often, the garden designer can suggest the correct placement of doors and details in connection with build to make the most of the garden.

When planning a change to your house, remember to think of the garden and bear in mind that Jo Manfredi-Hamer Garden Design is waiting to work with your architect!  If you already have your extension, we can advise on how to redesign your garden to make the most of your space.

Ever noticed how some gardens have good bone structure?  By that I mean they have interesting high and low points for the eye to rest on.  These gardens usually have good evergreen planting so that there is something to look at all year and sculpture as a focal point.  

I made the red willow 'egg' sculpture in the picture for my pond and every morning I can enjoy the view from my window of birds which come and perch on it whilst taking a rest.  The willow is striking and seems to 'glow' as it catches the low Winter sun.

The garden on the right is York Gate in Adel - if you visit only one garden this year make it this gem.  It is crammed with ideas for focal points and sculpture.

And as the Winter weather arrives, try photographing your garden in snow.  If it still looks interesting chances are it has good bone structure.  If not, well you know where to come for advice.....!

If you are looking for inspiration for your garden I can recommend a visit to Parcevall Hall gardens.  The site reads like a lesson in how to incorporate stunning views into your garden - the views are framed or design 'tricks' are used to lead your gaze to them at every opportunity.

We entered the formal gardens via a short woodland walk in which we all managed to get lost but no matter as the woods were full of charming little bridges and walkways.

There is a rock garden and rose garden to explore too.