Portland landscape design process with Seasons Garden Design

"In the creation of healthy environments, nature's collaboration
is not only important, but indispensable."
Eliel Saarinen

Every garden project in the Portland, Oregon or Vancouver, Washington region is different. Click on the topics below to learn more about our award-winning, sustainability-conscious, APLD-certified, landscape design services. Because we are flexible, we fine tune your garden design project to work within your boundaries and your means.

Your plans alone were a work of art. You made it so easy for our landscaper to perform and complete your design. And if that were not enough, because you cared enough to observe their progress and assist them with the plant placement we have a garden one would only expect to see in Versailles! Even our neighbors have thanked us for the view!"
Bernice, Portland, OR

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During Information-gathering, we ask lots of questions and you provide as much information as possible. It's a collaborative 'brain drain' that will get us closer to the garden in your imagination. we provide you with a questionnaire prior to our first meeting. During this phase we prepare a base plan which to review site issues, such as:

grade & drainage
privacy
circulation
property setbacks
climate & solar aspects
existing plants

Knowledge of existing conditions and your direction is the foundation for your project. What does the result look like? Click the photo at left.

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The concept plan is used to convey design ideas and solutions to you. It is accompanied by things like:

elevations
photos
material samples
sketches
preliminary plant selection

This will help you to visualize the new design. What does it look like? Click the photo at left.

...It has been a great experience getting to work with you and
seeing the design process first hand."
Cayetano, Vancouver, WA

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The master plan shows the final design. It features the following:

locates hardscape* and plants
shapes and sizes of hardscape and massing of plants
identifies type of hardscape and key plants
locates focal points for garden art

What does it look like? Click the photo at left.

*hardscape is the constructed elements in the garden, i.e. patios, decks, arbors, fences, water features, etc.

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The planting plan locates and identifies each plant. The plant list provides:

each plant by botanical and common name
quantity
recommended purchase size
additional notes as needed.

Details for proper plant installation are provided. What do these look like? Click the photos at left.

“You did such a lovely job on the plan and lamination I may have to place it with my other ‘high end’ artwork on a wall.”
Terrie, Vancouver, WA"

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The hardscape plan shows existing and new hardscape, i.e. paths, decks, patios, retaining walls, etc. It also provides:

conceptual details that describe the appearance and location of new hardscape
you or your contractor informationto engineer each item, as local codes may require.

What do these look like?

Click the photos at left

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Observation and coordination services are available during installation, either as consultant to you during a DIY (Do-It-Yourself) project or to report your Contractor's progress in constructing your design, as we designed it. Key times to have us on site are:

at the beginning of installation
review of hardscape installation
plant placement prior to planting
post construction review

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Prepare a maintenance program that includes:

pruning
watering
pest management
fertilizing for each plant

Garden coaching

Scheduled garden check-up quarterly, bi-annually, annually, or periodic as needed.

"I think your plans are great and show a lot of creativity."
Sharon, Vancouver, WA

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Sales Call- we ask the questions to develop your project fee.

visit and view your site
you tell us what you hope to achieve, your thoughts and ideas
no consultation (see below), no charge.

Consultation - you ask the questions to solve your problems.

visit and view your site
provide solutions to your questions
services tailored to your needs
minimum 2 hours, initial consultation fee paid at the time of services

Fixed Project Fee

For a defined scope of services. Meetings, site measurements, & travel are hourly.
A letter of agreement is provided with a fixed fee upon request. Otherwise, we bill on an hourly basis.
We bill monthly or according to our Letter of Agreement. Payments are due upon receipt of invoice.
For smaller, quick projects, after the initial 2 hour consultation, 1/2 of the entire fee is due upon presentation of the concept plan, with the remaining half of the fee due upon delivery of the final documents.
Retainers are paid at the time of the initial consultation or meeting.

Seasons Garden Design LLC is an award-winning, sustainability-conscious, APLD-certified, landscape design firm in Portland OR and Vancouver WA.
Contact landscape designer and Timber Press author, Vanessa Nagel, APLD, today.

The process shown is a typical complete project. Your garden design could be portions of this process.

The Design Process Graph: Click on it to see a larger graph.

Seasons Garden Design LLC is an award-winning, sustainability-conscious, APLD-certified, landscape design firm in Portland OR and Vancouver WA. Contact landscape designer and Timber Press author, Vanessa Nagel, APLD, today.

The process shown is a typical complete project. Your garden design could be portions of this process.

The Design Process Graph: Click on it to see a larger graph.

Seasons Garden Design LLC is an award-winning, sustainability-conscious, APLD-certified, landscape design firm in Portland OR and Vancouver WA.
Contact landscape designer and Timber Press author, Vanessa Nagel, APLD, today.