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 these strange times during lockdown Jo Manfredi-Hamer Garden Design can still offer garden design services online.  There is no need to visit you and potentially increase risk of infection.  

​Everything can be done via whichever online services suit you best or even by telephone and email!  
​I always drew up my 3D designs by computer anyway.

​Let's stay in, stay safe and stay gardening! (And protect the NHS)

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.

The following link will take you to my article in Earth Wit and Style

​https://www.earthwitandstyle.co.uk/what-to-do-in-the-garden-in-april/?fbclid=IwAR3FO1Gy5gA-Q8WnRrJ9bli_WxvSdKrAqEERn8lJQPJKv9G92gJNFZXedlY

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 should I look for in a garden designer?

Garden designers do not  have to be qualified to practice garden design but they really should be!  You should ask whether they have relevant qualifications and ask to see examples of their plans for other people.   A good designer will be able to produce scaled plans - artistic ones and, where needed, detailed ones from which landscapers can build.  

I also produce 3D models of your garden on computer which you can look around as if it were already built, so you can really get a sense of how your garden will look.

Is it going to add value to use a garden designer?

A good garden designer will know how to help you understand what you really want from your garden and how to achieve it.   They should also be able to help you avoid some costly mistakes.  In short they should more than pay for themselves!

Can gardens be designed in autumn/winter?

Absolutely.  This is a great time to design and plan your garden renovations.  Landscapers are often booked up in advance so planning your design in winter leaves you at the front of the queue for spring builds.

Can I help?

I am frequently contacted by people who are uncertain about whether I will be able to help them.  The fact is that, if it concerns how you use your garden or what your garden looks like, I can probably help.  

No matter whether you have an empty building plot, are building an extension to your house or generally wanting to spruce up or completely redesign an existing garden, chances are I can help you with your outdoor space.

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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 am busy with queries about garden redesigns and it's only January!  

It seems that people are realising that there is a relatively short window to get a garden designed and then booked into busy landscaper schedules for the year ahead.  

So people are getting organised and wanting their redesigns scheduled into the diary as soon as possible.  This is very sensible.  Landscapers are busy quoting and planning their year ahead and if you snooze you lose!  Bare root plants are available from 1 November to the end of March only so there is also a only a limited time left to acquire these cheaper plants for bedding in during the dormant season.

It might be freezing outside but now is the perfect time to plan your new garden and get booked in.  Call me today to make it happen in 2018.