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.