“A great idea for those new to the mountain area!” 

           Garden Consults can be a valuable tool when determining just what to do in your yard.  This is an on-site visit; walking and talking about your ideas, giving you feed back and alternatives. 

I will identify any existing plant material (and show you how to propagate/ rejuvenate) as well as suggesting new material that will compliment your existing flora. This consult can include personalized instructions for many do-it-yourself projects to help insure successful results.  We do not supply the actual labor; however, we will work with and train you, your family, and or your neighborhood teens to get your projects accomplished.  Individual/private consults (3 hours or less) are forty-five dollars per hour. 

A “walk and talk” tour of your yard can give you great ideas, provide identification of both soils and the natural growth and greater insights to a “plan of action” prior to going out and spending considerable funds on plants.  It’s REALLY easy to stop by a nursery, see plants in bloom, fall in love with them, buy them, and get home and not have a clue as to what to do with them.  Some nurseries are better than others are when it comes to conveying this sort of information.  The problem is that often when you ask an employee, you are at the “point of sale”, and their #1 job is to sell that plant! Unfortunately, it isn’t any one’s priority to teach you, or impart knowledge, much less spend the time explaining to you what may or may not work in your specific microclimate. 

Yes, you often see landscape companies offering “free” consultations.  Again, the big issue here is still to “sell” you something - usually their services.  There are so many landscapers in this area, some are better than others.  A good landscaper will tell you immediately what can’t or shouldn’t be done in your yard. After all, it’s their reputation to see to it that what ever is done remains successful.  If they plant things that don’t belong, in a year or two, you’ll have a yard full of dead or dying plant material.  No fun, and certainly not the beautification project you’d imagined for your yard.  Now, If you’re looking for someone else to just “do it” for you, and aren’t looking to spend any time in the garden or landscaped area, perhaps you are better off hiring a contractor you trust to “make it so”. 

My personalized consultations are based solely on the efforts YOU want to put into it. Yes, I can recommend a plethora of contractors and gardeners whose sole mission is to maintain your yard.  Maybe some areas need a contractor or another gardener, depending on the time you wish to spend with it, perhaps there maybe a smaller area that YOU want to maintain, and let the rest go, “au naturale”.  The idea is to walk and talk the projects through so that you understand what maintenance is needed, what you can do, and what you’re better off hiring out.  Again, the benefits lie in the fact that I am not “selling” you on any particular project or material.   Making independent recommendations can save you money and hassles down the road. 

Another frequent request I get is to help with shopping for healthy plants.  We can meet at the local garden center of your choice for the same number of hour’s consultation fee, or take a trip down the hill to any number of garden centers in the greater Denver area.  These fees include my driving and consultation as well as my pick up truck and fuel for hauling. 

Half Day Trips=$150 (8:30-12 or 12:30 - 4) Full Day=$200 Plus mileage (8:30- 4:30)     

Gift certificates now available, makes a great house warming gift!