Backyard garden design/build. ©2018 Twelve Gardens Ltd.

I think you'll agree that :

Having outdoor space in New York is an amazing coup.

But NOW what? How do you turn this . . .

Holy moly, that's a nice big city space but not much of a garden! Day 1. ©2018 Twelve Gardens Ltd. — Holy moly, that's a nice big city space but not much of a garden! Day 1. ©2018 Twelve Gardens Ltd.

. . . into a gorgeous garden that extends your functional square footage and drops your stress levels back into the earth, where they belong? Without adding to your to-do list and losing your mind?

Stress-Detour #1 : Start with a Landscape Design Plan.

The landscape design process starts like poetry and ends like engineering.

First we discuss your dreams for the garden, help define your aesthetic for the space and the problems on the site which need addressing.

Next we narrow in on boundaries : maintenance schedule, budget, geology, drainage, timeline.

Finally, we complete the master plan : it gathers all information required : materials selected, lighting, planting design, irrigation, hardscape plan (carpentry, stonework, metalwork), site details, final estimate. Custom fabrication items are sent to the structural engineer or for shop drawings.

No shovel has hit the ground yet.

But when it does, and your back yard takes on its appearance as a demolition zone, your mind will not be filled with the weeds of foreboding. Rather, it will flower with anticipation !

You begin to see the garden take shape, reflecting the drawings that were much discussed, debated and adapted over the previous weeks during the landscape design process. ©2018 Twelve Gardens Ltd.

Hardscape elements of the garden begin to take shape : the new fence, the bluestone-and-granite path that leads to the driveway-to-be, and the raised brick terrace for entertaining. ©2018 Twelve gardens ltd.

Stress-Detour #2 : Delegate Everything Else.

It can be a surprise. A garden is not just some dirt and some plants, some water and some sun.

Here are some other things a garden in NYC might add to your to-do list:

Approvals & Permits : Landmarks, Dept of Buildings, Board, Neighborhood Association
Hiring a construction crew
Project management
- Scheduling professionals, trades and deliveries : electrician, plumber, engineer, irrigation, lighting, mason, carpenter, metalworker, suppliers, soil delivery, plants delivery, concrete delivery, crew management . . . .
- Problem-solving on-site, eg unforeseen site conditions
- Keeping project organized and on track
- Communicating with all parties
Garden maintenance