Garden design
A measured survey, a scaled plan and a planting list that matches your soil, light and the time you actually have to spend outside.
2–4 weeksYour yard, drawn to scale and planted by hand.
Yardwise is a small landscape studio. We design back gardens, front yards and courtyards, build them, and stay on to look after them.
What we do in the yard
Most jobs fit into one of six kinds of work. Some clients hire us for all of them, others only for a single weekend of hedges.
Planting and beds
Borders, raised vegetable beds, screening and trees. We source from nurseries within a day's drive so plants arrive acclimatised.
1–5 daysLawns and turf
New lawns from seed or turf, levelling, drainage and renovation of tired grass. Mowing plans for the rest of the year.
1–3 daysHedges and tree care
Formative and renewal pruning, hedge trimming, crown lifting and safe removal of small trees.
Half or full dayPaving and structures
Terraces, gravel paths, edging, retaining walls, pergolas and garden steps built to last through frost.
1–3 weeksSeasonal upkeep
A fixed visit schedule from spring clean-up to autumn leaf clearance, so the garden stays the way it was planned.
Monthly or fortnightlyHow a project runs
Four stages, always in this order. You see and approve the plan before anyone picks up a spade.
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Site visit
We walk the yard with you, measure it, test the soil and note where the sun lands through the day.
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Plan
You receive a scaled drawing, a plant list and a fixed quote. We revise it until it feels right.
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Build and plant
Groundwork first, then structures, then plants. One crew leader stays with your project from start to finish.
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Aftercare
A watering guide, a first-year checklist and a free return visit after eight weeks.
The yard through the year
Timing matters more than effort. This is roughly what our crews are doing in a temperate climate.
Spring
- Clean-up and edging
- Lawn seeding and feeding
- Planting perennials
- Setting up vegetable beds
Summer
- Mowing and watering plans
- Hedge trimming
- Deadheading and staking
- Pest checks
Autumn
- Leaf clearance and composting
- Planting trees and shrubs
- Bulb planting
- Lawn renovation
Winter
- Structural pruning
- Paving and wall work in dry spells
- Tool and irrigation servicing
- Planning next year
Notes from the yard
Short, practical write-ups from our crews.
When to overseed a tired lawn
Early autumn beats spring: the soil is still warm, rain is on the way and weeds are slowing down. Scarify first, sow at the rate on the bag, and keep the surface damp for three weeks.
How deep should mulch be?
Five to seven centimetres is enough. Keep it a hand's width away from trunks and stems, or you invite rot and mice instead of moisture retention.
Three shrubs for a north-facing wall
Hydrangea, sarcococca and mahonia all cope with shade and thin soil. Add compost at planting and water through the first dry summer.
Book a site visit
Tell us a little about your yard. We answer within two working days and the first visit is free.
- hello
- Hours
- Mon–Fri, 7:30–16:30
- Studio
- 14 Mill Lane, Old Timber Yard
- Area
- Within 40 km of the studio