Offer Evaluation: Creating and Planting Beds

Here the hope simply is that the landscaper still has a few good ideas.

In my experience, judging by my own ideas: No.

Here in NRW everyone always goes to Venlo for shopping. Either Leurs or budgetplant

We were near Stade in Borken.

I am somehow appalled that someone would come up with the idea of having their flower beds planted for them. Having sods removed might still make sense if you don't have a trailer, and having edges laid in concrete as well. But the planting? Wouldn't you want to choose the plants yourself and arrange them in the beds the way you like? Change things up sometimes, add something. Aside from that, I think 300 plants for 40 sqm is too many. They should still be able to grow.

Well, there are also city people who have always lived in apartments without balconies and actually have no idea at all about anything that grows out there.

Starting with a landscape gardener is a good beginning. Personally, I wouldn’t do it either, but my parents, for example, had it done by a gardener about 25 years ago and were very happy about it. He selected plants, ground covers, etc. and already placed them on the areas. My parents only had to plant them back then.

Not everyone has the time and desire to deal with soil, light, water, and the like for the right plants. It’s definitely better than a gravel garden or a 100% lawn area.

The price doesn’t look overly expensive either. Go to a garden center and buy plants for hundreds of euros. You come home and they just disappear on the property.

Well, there are also city people who have always lived in apartments without balconies and actually have no idea at all about anything that grows out there.

That's exactly when it becomes exciting to try things out.

Not everyone has the time and desire to deal with soil, light, water and the like for the right plants.

You don't have to. Just try. Plants are available cheaply from neighbors, acquaintances, at markets, on classifieds…

No idea. You’re the first person I’ve come across in my 51 years of life who hires a professional for beds in a normal/small garden.

Yep, I’m a bit shocked too… I mean: it’s only 150sqm! We created our 300sqm garden step by step ourselves. Always removing the roll turf where something new was supposed to go. That was exhausting. Possibly I would stake it out and then actually have it done, including hauling away.

We also ordered some large plants that give structure. But digging them in and adjusting exactly where, we did that ourselves with love. That then took place over the whole year and the following years. Sometimes visiting a farmers’ market, sometimes a gardener’s day, and falling in love with plants and taking them home. They can stand for several weeks before being planted if you have the time and desire. Desire was actually always there.

Delivering 300 perennials (ground cover, solitary, small shrubs): €1600

I would always buy perennials during promotions or e.g. from classifieds. I know what plants can cost, but paying €1600 all at once… phew.

Transplanting perennials: €700

I would be too “stingy” for that too.

Not everyone has the time and desire to deal with soil, light, water and such for the right plants.

Why? The preliminary selection was made by the OP themselves.

since we want to do some things ourselves.

So my suggestion: do it yourself.

300 perennials (ground cover, solitary, small shrubs) cost: 1600€

Yes, as already says: that is too many for 150 sqm. You need a maximum of 7 ground covers per sqm… if you wait two years, you need fewer and can plant flower bulbs in between in autumn so that they bloom in spring. With a spreading ground cover plant, I managed to cover 10 sqm within 3 years. A rhododendron, for example, spreads over 3 sqm, 2-3 shrubs added require about 12-15 sqm. Garden landscapers use too many, as if there were no growth periods. And you only notice later while enjoying the garden what is still missing. Plants are like pieces of furniture and decoration: you like to remember when and where you discovered them.