Edible Garden & Orchard Design, Site Assessment &Consultancy
I provide a range of services in the Otago area to help you to develop gardens abundant in fresh, healthy fruit, herbs and vegetables.
I use Permaculture and biological (organic) strategies to create productive, ecologically sustainable landscapes. I enjoy working collaboratively with clients who would like to be involved in the design process. I like to work as resourcefully as possible, using the least inputs (saving you money) to create maximum yields and benefits.
Busy during the week? Weekend site visits and consultancy are avaliable.
Site Assessment & Consultancy
On-site advice and recommendations to improve or expand your present edible garden or to get you started. I can assess your site’s soil and climate, the overall layout of your garden and talk through your needs and ideas. Then provide layout solutions and recommend what will grow successfully. Notes and layouts may be drawn onsite and to help visualise ideas we can put stakes in the ground to represent trees and mark out new garden edges.
A lot can usually be covered in a couple of hours.
$80 for the first hour, $45 per hour thereafter, plus travel expenses.
Edible Garden Design
Complete drawn designs or more basic layout concept plans, appropriate plant lists, planting plans and soil amendment recommendations.
- Edible Garden Design that integrates with the whole garden and home
- Selection of plants proven to be productive, disease resistant and suited to the coastal Otago climate.
- Kitchen / Potager / Herb Gardens
- Orchards – Delicious berry and tree crops
- Soil testing and recommendations – biological / permaculture techniques and strategies used. Work to Certified Organic standards where necessary
- Back-up support to ensure the ongoing success of your garden
- Urban and rural
Beginning with an initial consultation, we talk through your ideas, what might be possible and make an initial site assessment. Measurements and soil tests may be taken. Have a copy of existing property plans and aerial photos on hand. I encourage your participation, and we can discuss what aspects of the design and implementation you would like to be involved in.
I would then come back to you with initial concept ideas and sketches to talk through and for you to consider. There is no obligation to continue from this point, which usually costs about $300- 400 (for a suburban section). Based on $80 for the first hour, $45 per hour thereafter, plus travel expenses.
A drawn design can then be created with accompanying plant lists and soil amendment recommendations as needed. You may like to be involved in some of these more detailed decisions or you may leave it to me.
Total cost averages $700 – 900 for a suburban section, cost can be reduced by going to less detail, or by focusing on small areas of garden. We will discuss these costs at the initial consultation. Based on $80 for the first hour, $45 per hour thereafter, plus travel expenses.
Pruning, Planting and Soil Amendment
Do you need help with pruning? Young trees, restoring old trees, improving fruit quality, we can work together if you would like to learn how. Pruning is predominantly done in winter (July – September) for general maintenance and to develop younger trees. Summer pruning is usefull too (December – February) to maintain tree shape and encourage fruiting in older established or very vigorous trees.
I can source reliable, productive plants, amend soils and plant for (or with) you.
I can recommend and/or organise landscapers if any major work is needed to be done before planting.
$35 per hour, plus travel and other expenses.
For examples of my work and inspiring garden images see below and on my photo sharing site: