**Welcome Back** Today, I want to address a question that often arises from prospective clients during our initial consultation: Where do we start? The answer to that relates to… **What are we trying to achieve?** While it may seem counterproductive to answer a question with another question, defining our goals sets the foundation for a meaningful and efficient journey together. Everyone’s time is precious, and in a world of fleeting attention spans, we have the opportunity to make our time together impactful. So, challenge accepted! I begin with a walk around the site, immersing myself in the client’s vision and dreams for usage, theme, vibe, curb appeal, maintenance level, and any previous work completed. Then, I conduct a thorough inspection from top to bottom and left to right, striving for a comprehensive and analytical understanding. I envision established trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals, considering their heights, widths, and growth potential. I assess hardscapes and how they enhance the overall flow of the space. I reflect on driplines from trees, rooflines, gutters, shrubs, and flower beds, and how they integrate with the natural drainage to the site’s lowest point alongside civic stormwater management systems. I identify what can be removed—plants that aren’t thriving or are mislocated—and envision additions that will elevate the landscape’s beauty and provide striking contrast. I also contemplate how to access different areas of the site for staging materials and maneuvering equipment. A successful landscaping project requires not just knowledge of planning, preparation, procurement, logistics, operations, administration, finances, agronomy, but also an understanding of the unique personality of each client. In essence, we gather information and inspiration to transform the client’s vision into a stunning oasis, making their dream a beautiful reality.
