Garden setup
Garden setup
A planned, planted garden in one visit. $185 per 4x8 bed.
I'll tell you what will grow there. No charge, no visit required.
How it goes
We walk the yard.
I look at sun, drainage, water access, and where the dogs run. Most people pick the wrong spot for the right reasons, usually because it's the corner of the yard they aren't using for anything else. Sun wins over convenience every time.
You get a plan before anything gets planted.
A drawn layout for each bed showing what goes where, spacing, planting dates, and what follows each crop when it finishes. You keep the plan whether you hire me for maintenance or not. The plan is included in setup pricing.
Soil prep.
Amending, turning, leveling, and filling. You supply the soil and compost, I supply the work. If you have existing beds that have been sitting for a few seasons, this is usually the step that makes the difference.
Planting day.
Seeds and starts go in per the plan. Trellises and supports go up before the plants need them instead of after, which is the mistake almost everyone makes with tomatoes and pole beans.
You get a walkthrough.
Fifteen minutes at the end where I show you what to water, what to watch for, and what should be happening in three weeks.
Every bed gets a plan
The layout below is the kind of plan you get before planting. Crop, spacing, and sow date for every cell, with a trellis row on the north edge so it doesn't shade the rest. Included in setup pricing.
Same garden, three stages
Soil prep, planting, and the finished bed.
What it costs
$185 per 4x8 bed. That covers planning, soil prep, planting, supports, and the walkthrough. Labor only, since you supply soil and seed. The garden plan is included in setup pricing.
Smaller containers and herb beds are priced by the visit. Beds larger than 4x8, in-ground rows, and fruit plantings I'll quote after seeing them.
Bed building: I don't build beds, but I'll tell you what to buy and where, and I'll be there when it goes in.
Questions about setup
Can you work with beds I already have?
Usually yes, and it's cheaper than starting over. Old beds mostly need soil amended and a plan, not replacement.
What if I don't know what I want to grow?
Most people don't. I'll ask what your family actually eats, which is a better starting point than a seed catalog.
How long does setup take?
Most two-bed setups are a half day. Larger gardens run a full day.
Do I have to sign up for maintenance?
No. Plenty of people take the plan and run it themselves. I'd rather you garden than not.
I'll tell you what will grow there. No charge, no visit required.