Tackling A New Skill

The best thing for me about being a garden designer is not only the drawing side of the job which I thoroughly enjoy (but which can be quite lonely at times), but the 'doing' part of the work.I have always been a 'hands on' designer. I love to do every aspect of the build from laying paving,driving diggers,building a dry stone wall to catching rabbits the cat has brought into my daughter's bedroom! All of course cannot be done without the expert help of my work colleague Michael who is a great teacher and thankfully has the patience of a saint.Being a creative sort ,I like to change my mind a lot.Some will propbably say it's because I'm a woman! But I put it down to being on the job - well , I think so anyway.I have learnt so much.I want to tackle plumbing next and electrics.God help the world!I have done a fair bit of plumbing when building ponds and lakes.There doesn't seem to be too many women designers who do 'water'. Now that Charlie Dimmock is not gracing our small screens water in gardens is not so important,yet most gardens have a water feature of some sort.I realise there is much to be learnt and everyday something new crops up which I have to have a go at. 'Doing it' to me is the only way to learn.It is all very well thinking something looks good on paper but until you try to build it yourself you never know if it will work.Just ask Michael.I have driven him mad the last few weeks changing my mind about a brick path he has been laying.On second thoughts,better not ask him! We have come to the final stages now of the build and .....I won!I will post pictures of the path soon to show before and after and in between!
★
★
★
★
★
Votes: 0
E-mail me when people leave their comments –

Comments

  • Yes , over the flu thank you.And yes I was up an an ungodly hour but I never sleep!

    I had a crested newt in my hall last night!! Had yours escaped?!

    Water will feature more and more in gardens - not least because of flooding issues. I have had to re-do many a garden that has been flooded.But putting lakes and ponds in to people gardens is so rewarding.The amount of animal life it generates is wonderful.

    Happy pond dipping!
This reply was deleted.

You need to be a member of Landscape Juice Network to add comments!

Join Landscape Juice Network

Open forum activity

Piers Dixon replied to Piers Dixon's discussion Advertising garden maintenance services
"Thanks for your response. Have you actually tried this??"
15 hours ago
trimmora updated their profile
16 hours ago
Fusion Media posted a blog post
After 26 years at Radley College, Adam King has seen grounds management evolve dramatically. Weather patterns have become less predictable, playing surfaces are under greater pressure than ever, and flexibility has become one of the most valuable…
yesterday
Fusion Media posted a blog post
GroundsFest has welcomed Christina Walker to its sales team as preparations continue for the 2027 exhibition.Christina joins the award-winning team with an extensive background in publishing and exhibitions spanning more than two decades. She began…
yesterday
Fusion Media posted a blog post
When freezing temperatures threaten the pitches at Forest Green Rovers FC, speed is everything. Protecting the stadium and training ground with frost covers can be a race against the weather, but thanks to Kress battery-powered blowers, the club's…
Thursday
Fusion Media posted a blog post
The GroundsFest Academy has confirmed TLS as its newest Platinum Sponsor, adding further industry strength to the Academy's range of sponsors and partners as it continues to expand its training offering for the groundscare sector. The sponsorship…
Thursday
Peter sellers replied to William Baker's discussion Winter Services
"Hi William, I would avoid working as a sub contractor if you can. Yes they will not pay a realistic rate as they will try to keep their profit as high as poss, in my experience getting paid was always an issue. We had a long and profitable…"
Wednesday
Billybop replied to William Baker's discussion Winter Services
"Thanks William, yes a bit like being a retained fire fighter I suppose. Monthly payments for a 12 month contract, knowing that worst case scenario only 6 months or so might require visits. Which could be very few and far between, or more numerous…"
Wednesday
William Baker replied to William Baker's discussion Winter Services
"Hi Richard, thank you for your reply. I've not approached either of these companies as yet, would you suggest Outco and Nurture are good companies to contact, and do you have any experience with either?"
Tuesday
William Baker replied to William Baker's discussion Winter Services
"Hi Peter, thank you very much for such a detailed response, and I'm sorry to hear of your ill health, I do hope you are well. Both of my existing clients that I'm looking to bring on board should be manageable, so they can hopefully help me to dip…"
Tuesday
William Baker replied to William Baker's discussion Winter Services
"Hi Billy, that's a really good idea, even if the contracts are a mix of 'subsciption' and ad-hoc, it at least covers the expense in a worst case scenario. "
Tuesday
Billybop replied to Rob's discussion Best professional battery hedge trimmer at present?
"Hi Tim i wear basic disposable ear plugs with either model if using for any extended period... not so much the volume per se, but it takes the edge off that irritating metallic sound... I think these are being sold for below cost, but heart warming…"
Tuesday
Tim Wallach replied to Rob's discussion Best professional battery hedge trimmer at present?
"My 130T arrived and was tested today.   It certainly runs fast...the high motor noise is slightly irritating compared to the rumble of the 130R though.  I've got used to working without ear defenders.    Planet tool owe you a finders fee."
Tuesday
Matt updated their profile
Nov 1
Matt posted a discussion
Morning all,I’m Matt from That Pond Guy, a specialist pond maintenance company based in Burham, Kent. I’ve just joined LJN and thought I’d introduce myself.We cover Kent, London and the wider South East, looking after everything from garden wildlife…
Nov 1
Matt is now a member of Landscape Juice Network
Nov 1
More…