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Garden Landscape Designer Stroud: Transforming Outdoor Spaces
You know that feeling when you look out your back window and just wish your garden could be... different? Maybe the patio's cracked, maybe theres a weird slope that floods every winter, or maybe you just want somewhere nice to sit with a cuppa on Sunday mornings. That's where we come in.
We're a garden landscape designer Stroud locals have trusted for over five years. Based right here in town, we've worked on gardens from Nailsworth to Chalford, and we still get a buzz from turning tired outdoor spaces into places people actually want to spend time.
Why Your Garden Probably Needs More Than You Think
Most folks call us thinking they need "just a new patio" or "maybe some paving." Then we have a proper look and realise the drainage is dodgy, the soil levels are all wrong, or the existing layout just doesn't make sense for how they actually use the space.
That's why we always start with a chat and a site visit. No pressure, no sales pitch - just honest advice about what'll work and what won't. Sometimes that means talking people out of expensive ideas that won't suit their garden. We'd rather you spend your money on something that actually lasts.
Custom Landscape Design
Here's the thing about garden design - every single plot of land around Stroud is different. The soil up near Rodborough is nothing like what you get down in the valleys. Some gardens flood, some are bone dry by July. Cookie-cutter designs just don't work.
Our custom landscape design process starts with understanding how you actually use your space. Do you have kids who need somewhere to kick a ball? Dogs that tear up the lawn? Do you want vegetables, or are you more interested in somewhere to entertain friends?
We measure everything, test the soil, check drainage, and then sketch out a few options. Nothing fancy - just clear drawings that show you exactly what we're proposing. Then we price it properly, with no hidden costs or suprises later.
The design fee gets credited back if you go ahead with the work, so your not paying twice.
Garden Design and Planning
Garden design isn't just about making things pretty (though that helps). Its about solving problems. That boggy patch near the fence? That's a drainage issue. The area where nothing grows under the big tree? That needs shade-tolerant plants and maybe better soil.
We've designed gardens for tiny terraced houses in Stroud town centre and massive rural properties out past Chalford. Each one needs a different approach. Town gardens often need clever screening for privacy. Rural gardens might need windbreaks or deer-proof fencing.
We also handle all the boring planning stuff if your project needs it. Retaining walls over a certain height, significant changes to ground levels - these sometimes need approval. We'll tell you upfront if that's likely and help with the applications.
Patio Design That Actually Lasts
Every summer we get calls from people whose patios have sunk, cracked, or started growing moss so thick you can barely see the stones. Usually its because whoever laid them cut corners on the base preparation.
Our patio design work starts underground. We excavate properly, put down the right depth of hardcore, compact it correctly, and use proper drainage. Boring? Yes. But its the difference between a patio that lasts five years and one that lasts thirty.
We work with natural stone, porcelain, block paving - whatever suits your budget and style. Indian sandstone is popular around here because it weathers nicely and doesn't look too formal. Porcelain is great if you want something really low-maintenance that won't stain.
Size matters too. Most people underestimate how much space they need. A table for six needs more room than you think, specially when you factor in chairs pulling out and people walking around. We'll make sure you get the proportions right.
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Driveway Landscaping and Driveway or Path Paving
Driveways take a beating. Cars are heavy, and Stroud's hills mean lots of water runoff. A badly laid driveway starts breaking up within a couple years.
Our driveway landscaping includes proper edging, drainage channels, and a base that can handle the weight. We've done everything from simple gravel driveways to full block paving with decorative borders.
Paths are just as important. A good path should take you where you need to go without getting your feet soaked. Sounds obvious, but you'd be amazed how many paths we've had to relay because they turned into rivers every time it rained.
Driveway or path paving needs to match your property. A Victorian terrace looks daft with ultra-modern paving. A new build can handle more contemporary materials. We'll show you samples and talk through what works with your house style.
Retaining Wall Design and Stonemasonry
Stroud's built on hills, which means loads of gardens need retaining walls. Some are tiny - just holding back a raised bed. Others are proper structural walls holding back tons of soil.
Retaining wall design isn't something to mess about with. Get it wrong and you've got a dangerous collapse waiting to happen. We calculate the loads, design proper drainage behind the wall, and build foundations that go deep enough.
Our stonemasonry work uses local stone where possible. Cotswold stone looks right around here because, well, its from around here. We do drystone walls for that traditional look, or mortar-pointed walls if you need something more formal.
We've repaired loads of old walls too. Sometimes you can save most of the original stonework and just rebuild the dodgy sections. Its usually cheaper than starting from scratch and keeps the character of older properties.
Grading and Resloping
This is the unglamorous work that makes everything else possible. Grading and resloping means moving soil around to get the levels right, sort out drainage, and create usable flat areas.
Got a garden that slopes toward your house? That needs regrading before you get damp problems. Want a flat lawn for the kids? That means cutting and filling to create a level area.
We use proper equipment - a mini digger for most jobs, bigger machinery if needed. We save and reuse topsoil where possible because good soil's expensive to buy in. And we always compact properly so nothing settles and sinks later.
The drainage side of things is huge. Water needs to go somewhere. We install land drains, soakaways, and French drains to keep gardens from turning into swamps. Half the gardens in Stroud need better drainage than they've got.
Lawn Care and Grass Seeding
Everyone wants a nice lawn. Not many people want the hassle of looking after one properly. We can help with both creating new lawns and fixing tired ones.
Grass seeding is the cheapest way to get a new lawn, but it needs patience. You can't use it for weeks while the grass establishes. But the results are usually better than turf, and you can choose seed mixes that suit your conditions - shade-tolerant, hardwearing, fine ornamental, whatever.
Turf gives you instant results. We lay new lawns all the time. The prep work's the same as seeding - you need good soil, proper levels, and decent drainage. Skimp on that and even expensive turf will struggle.
Our lawn care service covers regular mowing, feeding, aerating, and scarifying. Most lawns around here need moss treatment in spring and maybe some overseeding where its worn thin. We can set up a schedule that keeps your grass looking decent without breaking the bank.
Artificial Turf Installation
Not everyone wants the hassle of mowing. Artificial turf installation has come on loads in the last few years. Modern stuff looks pretty good and lasts ages if its fitted properly.
The prep work's actually more important than with real grass. You need perfect levels and really good drainage underneath, or you end up with puddles that won't drain away. We excavate, lay proper sub-base, add drainage, and then fit the turf with joins you can barely see.
Its great for shady spots where real grass struggles, or if you've got dogs that tear up the lawn. Kids like it too - no mud, no muddy boots in the house. Not everyones cup of tea, but it solves problems for lots of people.
Garden Landscaping Services
Garden landscaping covers everything we haven't mentioned yet. Building raised beds for vegetables. Installing garden lighting. Creating gravel areas. Putting up fences and gates. Planting trees and shrubs.
Some jobs are tiny - just an afternoon's work. Others take weeks. We've landscaped entire gardens from scratch, taking them from builders rubble to finished outdoor rooms with patios, lawns, borders, and all the trimmings.
The best garden landscaping projects are the ones where everything works together. The patio connects naturally to the lawn. The paths make sense. The plants suit the conditions. Its all planned as a whole, not just random bits stuck together.
We can project-manage the whole thing too. That means coordinating other trades if you need electricians for lighting, plumbers for irrigation, or fencing contractors. One point of contact instead of juggling five different people.
Landscape Installations
Landscape installations means getting everything built and planted. The actual doing bit after all the planning and designing.
We've got our own team who've worked together for years. When we give you a start date, we stick to it. And we clean up properly at the end of each day because nobody wants building mess all over their garden for weeks.
Our installations include all the hardscaping - patios, walls, paths, steps. Plus softscaping - preparing borders, improving soil, planting everything. We source plants from good local nurseries who know what grows well around Stroud.
Timing matters. Some work's better done in certain seasons. Major earthworks? Ideally not in the middle of winter when everything's waterlogged. Planting? Spring and autumn are best. We'll advise on the right time to do your project.
Outdoor Step Construction
Got a sloping garden? You probably need steps. Outdoor step construction has to be done properly or someone's going to trip and hurt themselves.
Steps need to be the right height and depth. Too steep and they're dangerous, specially when wet. Too shallow and they feel awkward to use. There's a formula for this stuff, and we follow it.
We build steps from all sorts of materials. Railway sleepers for a rustic look. Natural stone for something more traditional. Block paving to match your patio. Each material needs different construction methods.
Drainage around steps is dead important. Water shouldn't pool on the treads or run straight down them like a waterfall. We build in proper drainage and use non-slip surfaces. Old stone steps can get lethal when wet - we often cap them with textured paving for safety.
Path Landscaping
Paths are about getting from A to B without trudging through mud or wet grass. Path landscaping means designing routes that make sense and building them so they last.
We think about where people actually walk, not just where a path looks nice on a plan. The shortest route between the back door and the shed? That's where the path needs to go, or people will just walk across the grass anyway.
Materials depend on use. A main path to the front door needs something solid like paving or block paving. A garden path through the borders? Gravel or stepping stones might work fine. Bark chip paths are great in woodland areas but useless on slopes where they just wash away.
Width matters too. One person? Sixty centimeters is fine. Want to walk two abreast or push a wheelbarrow comfortably? You need a meter at least.
Outdoor Water Feature Design
Water features add a nice touch if you've got space and budget. Outdoor water feature design ranges from simple bubble fountains to proper ponds with fish and plants.
The sound of running water's relaxing, and it attracts wildlife. Even a small water feature brings in birds and insects. But they need planning - electricity supply, water source, somewhere for overflow to go.
We've installed wall-mounted water features for tiny courtyards, and big naturalistic ponds for rural gardens. The key is making them look like they belong, not like something plonked down as an afterthought.
Maintenance is a consideration. Ponds need periodic cleaning. Pumps need checking. In winter, some features need shutting down to prevent freeze damage. We'll talk you through what's involved before you commit.
Pond Maintenance
If you've already got a pond, you know they need looking after. Pond maintenance includes clearing out sludge, trimming plants, checking pumps and filters, and dealing with algae.
Spring's the busiest time. Ponds wake up after winter and often go green with algae as the water warms up. Getting the balance right between plants, fish, and water quality takes a bit of knowledge.
We offer one-off cleanouts or regular maintenance visits. Some ponds just need an annual tidy. Others - specially smaller ones or those in full sun - need more frequent attention. Fish ponds need different care than wildlife ponds.
If your pond's got problems - leaking liner, collapsing edges, too much blanket weed - we can usually fix it without rebuilding the whole thing.
Turf Management
Turf management is the proper term for looking after grass areas. Whether thats a front lawn, a big back garden, or grass paths between borders.
Good turf needs feeding, aerating, and scarifying. Most people just mow and wonder why their grass looks rubbish. Compacted soil, moss, thatch buildup - these all stop grass growing properly.
We aerate lawns in autumn to let air and water into the soil. We scarify to pull out dead grass and moss. We feed at the right times with the right products. And we can overseed thin patches to thicken them up.
For bigger grass areas, we use proper equipment. Trying to aerate a large lawn with a garden fork would take forever. Our machinery does the job properly and quickly.
Garden Decorating
Garden decorating is about the finishing touches that make a garden feel complete. Planters, lighting, outdoor art, decorative gravel, pergolas, arbors - all the bits that add character.
We're not talking garden gnomes here (though each to their own). More like well-chosen pots planted up with seasonal colour. Subtle lighting that makes paths safe and highlights nice features. A simple wooden arch over a gateway.
Some of this stuff you can do yourself, some needs a bit more skill. We can advise on what'll work in your space and budget. And we can source and install everything if you want a complete job.
Lighting's particularly good for extending how much you use your garden. A few well-placed lights mean you can sit outside on summer evenings or see your way to the shed without a torch. Solar lights are fine for ambience but rubbish for actually seeing where you're going - proper wired lighting's much better.
Gardening Services
Our gardening services cover ongoing maintenance once your garden's sorted. Regular visits to keep on top of weeding, pruning, hedge cutting, and general tidyness.
Some people want weekly visits during the growing season. Others just need monthly tidying or seasonal work like autumn clearups and spring pruning. We're flexible about what we do and how often.
We're not a mow-and-blow outfit that rushes round in ten minutes. Our gardening work's done properly - weeds actually pulled out rather than just strimmed off, plants pruned at the right time in the right way, hedges cut square and tidy.
If you've had a new garden installed, regular gardening visits in the first year really help. New plants need watering in dry spells, weeds grow like crazy in freshly cultivated soil, and its good to have someone keeping an eye on things.
Why Choose a Local Garden Landscape Designer in Stroud
You could get someone from Gloucester or Cheltenham to do your garden. But a garden landscape designer Stroud based knows the local conditions. We know which plants do well around here and which ones struggle. We know the soil types in different areas. We know which suppliers have good quality materials.
We've worked in Stroud, Nailsworth, Minchinhampton, Chalford, Painswick, Brimscombe, Stonehouse, and all the villages around. We know the area's quirks - the exposed hilltops, the frost pockets in the valleys, the heavy clay soil, the drainage issues.
Being local means we're here when you need us. If something needs adjusting or there's a problem, we're ten minutes away, not an hour. And we care about our reputation in the area. We bump into our customers in Waitrose - we want them to be happy with our work.
We're also realistic about what works around here. Some fancy design ideas that look great in magazines just don't suit Cotswold stone houses or cope with our weather. We'll tell you honestly what'll work and what won't.
How We Work
First step's always a site visit and chat. We'll talk about what you want, what your budgets like, and what's realistic. No obligation, no pressure. If we don't think we're the right fit for your project, we'll say so.
If you want to go ahead, we'll prepare a detailed quote. This includes everything - materials, labour, any machinery hire, waste removal. We don't do those vague estimates that turn into something completely different later.
Once you've accepted the quote, we'll agree a start date and keep you updated on progress. Most jobs take between a few days and a couple weeks. Big projects might take longer but we'll break them into phases so your garden's not torn up for months.
We guarantee our work for twelve months. If something's not right, we'll come back and sort it. And we're always happy to advise on looking after your new garden once its done.
Get In Touch
If your gardens not working for you, or you've got an outdoor space that needs sorting, give us a call. We cover all of Stroud and the surrounding area, and we're always happy to chat through ideas without any obligation.
Been doing this for twenty years because we enjoy it. Still get a kick from seeing a finished garden and knowing the people who live there will get years of use from it. That's what good garden landscaping should do - make your outdoor space somewhere you actually want to be.