[Arid_gardener] answer to landscape design tips

[Clair Spackman]

Patti - When I was looking for landscape contractors to do my backyard 
hardscape and irrigation I talked with Timmi (Roth I think is her last name) 
from gardeners Eden.  I met her at the home show in May and we got talking. 
She may be a master gardener.  Anyway she came out and looked at my yard and 
mentioned that she will for I think she said $60 an hour look at your yard 
and draw out all the microclimates etc that you have so you can better pick 
plants etc correctly.  I have a relatively small yard about 400 sq feet and 
she said it would take her a couple of hours to do my yard.

Dick - I think your idea of "help squads" is a great one.  There is only so 
much you can explain to someone in text or even verbally and it remains a 
somewhat 2 dimensional experience.  Especially if us less experienced types 
forget to pass on important information.  Your help to us can only be as 
good as the information we provide.  By being in our yards it would be 
possible to see things we didn't know we should tell you about.



Clair Thunes

>
>>I seem to be a challenged gardener and the trial and error learning 
>>process
>>is resulting in more error than success.  I have trouble picking the right
>>plants for the right location, even after reading and researching.  I have
>>a limited budget that will probably not cover everything I want to do. Are
>>there services out there that will help you design and choose the correct
>>plants and then sell you the plans so you can plant on your own over time?
>>Many nurseries seem to offer design service if you spend a certain amount.
>>Are they knowledgeable? Is this a viable alternative?
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Patti