With the rise of digital services, online garden design consultations have become an increasingly popular alternative to traditional in-person visits. This approach allows professional designers like me, the Garden Ninja, to offer expert advice remotely, making garden planning more accessible and convenient.
In fact, I believe I pioneered this approach 6 years ago with my online garden design consultations before others worked out how they could do this. Mainly because I've always believed garden design should be more aceessible rather than those with large budgets. I'm so pleased that other designers have taken my lead in allowing this service to help bring more design accessibility for all gardeners and budgets!
This guide explores the pros and cons of online garden design consultations, using my offering here at Garden Ninja as an example of how they work in practice. Each designer will be slightly different, and it goes without saying that the price you pay will determine the quality and expertise of your chosen design consultant, so bear that in mind. However, this guide will help you see what you should expect from a qualified garden designer.
An online garden design consultation is a remote session where a professional garden designer provides expert advice and guidance on improving or transforming a garden. These consultations typically involve:
Here at Garden Ninja, I have used this online approach for over 6 years, helping clients design stunning gardens without requiring in-person visits. Clients who book an online design session with me always comment in their reviews just how much I manage to pack into the hour. It means that you can avoid making costly mistakes by knowing what to avoid when designing or landscaping your garden.
Online garden design consultations provide professional advice and design solutions remotely without needing a physical site visit of your garden. This service is ideal for those seeking expert guidance to improve their garden's layout, plant selection, and overall aesthetics without spending thousands of pounds on full garden design.
Online garden design consultations enable you to get high-level advice, garden design ideas, and planting suggestions to help you get started. It's nowhere near as comprehensive as full garden design but can get you from not knowing to having a good idea of the options available to move you forward.
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how an online garden design consultation typically works:
To make the session productive, the client provides:
✅ Photos and Videos – Clear images and a walk-through video of the garden from different angles.
📏 Measurements – Rough dimensions of the space, including existing structures and features.
🌕 Sunlight & Soil Conditions – Basic information about how much sun/shade the garden receives and soil type (if known).
🌺 Inspiration & Preferences – Any mood boards, Pinterest boards, or specific garden styles they love.
💪 Challenges & Goals – A list of issues they face (e.g., poor drainage, lack of privacy) and their dream garden vision.
Here at Garden Ninja, I provide a detailed pre-call questionnaire to guide clients in supplying relevant details to make the most out of the sessions rather than just turning up and spending half the session explaining what your garden requirements/problems are!
After the consultation, the designer usually provides the following via email:
📌 Concept Sketches – Simple hand-drawn or digital sketches outlining the proposed layout.
🌿 Planting Plans – A list of recommended plants suited to the garden’s conditions.
🥷 Hardscape Suggestions – Ideas for paths, patios, fences, and other structural elements.
🌳 Garden Maintenance Advice – Tips on plant care, pruning, and seasonal tasks.
🗒️ Shopping Lists & Suppliers – Links to where clients can purchase materials and plants.
I also offer follow-up emails, video examples from my YouTube channel, links to blog guides with more detail or additional Q&A sessions, which makes my consultations much more thorough than the usual 60-minute online chat and then that's it!
For my online garden design zoom calls, I recommend that clients put down their pens and just take in all the ideas, options and suggestions. As I forward on detailed notes afterwards, it means my online design consultation clients can make the most out of the experience and enjoy it. Rather than spending an hour taking copious notes and trying to keep up.
Garden Ninja’s online consultations include detailed sketches, plant recommendations, and problem-solving advice, ensuring clients have a clear action plan.
Despite these limitations, these challenges can be overcome by your garden designer offering detailed instructions, clear communication, and ongoing support after consultations.
✅ Homeowners looking for expert advice without high costs
✅ Gardeners who enjoy DIY and need a professional plan
✅ Clients who live in remote areas or outside the designer’s typical service range
✅ Those seeking a quick and convenient solution for their garden
❌ Projects requiring extensive on-site assessments (e.g., major landscaping work)
❌ Clients who struggle with DIY implementation
❌ Those without internet access or basic tech skills
The cost of a one-hour garden design consultation varies depending on the designer’s experience, location, and level of service. Prices typically range from £50 to £300 ($60 to $375) per hour, with different tiers of expertise and offerings.
Example Price Ranges of Online Garden Consultations are as follows:
Typically freelance or newer designers.
Basic advice on plant selection, layout, or problem-solving.
No follow-up documents or sketches included.
Experienced professionals like Garden Ninja or well-established garden consultants.
Includes personalised design advice, mood boards, and concept sketches.
May provide plant lists and basic layout suggestions.
Premium or specialist designers with extensive portfolios.
In-depth consultations with 3D models, custom planting schemes, and detailed reports.
Often includes follow-up support and refined design documents.
Many designers offer package deals for multiple sessions or full design plans, which can reduce the per-hour cost. If hiring a well-known designer like Garden Ninja, expect to receive detailed, tailored advice that can help you transform your garden efficiently.
If you want to make the most of your online garden consultation, then learning the basics of garden design can be an excellent way to complement this service. I've been offering online garden design courses here at Garden Ninja for years, and they receive rave reviews as an affordable way to improve your gardening skills and knowledge. Courses start at £29 to £199, depending on the level of expertise you require.,
Enrol now for just £199 and start your journey toward garden design mastery!
Garden Design Examples for Small Gardens: 30 Design Templates & Planting Plans: In this online gardening course, I'll walk you through 30 fantastic garden designs, explaining the logic behind the layout, the plant choices, and take-home tips for applying them in your own garden.
Learn how to transform and design your own garden with Lee Burkhills crash course in garden design. Over 5 hours Lee will teach you how to design your own dream garden. Featuring practical design examples, planting ideas and video guides. Learn how to design your garden in one weekend!
Garden Design for Beginners Online Course: If you want to make the career jump to becoming a garden designer or to learn how to design your own garden, this is the beginner course for you. Join me, Lee Burkhill, an award-winning garden designer, as I train you in the art of beautiful garden design.
Online garden design consultations, as offered by Garden Ninja, provide an excellent alternative to traditional in-person services. They offer convenience, affordability, and expert guidance while allowing clients to actively transform their gardens. Which I believe is what makes a successful garden design one in which the clients or homeowners feel personally invested and engaged!
While some limitations exist—such as the lack of physical site visits—these can often be overcome with detailed photos, measurements, and clear communication. Ultimately, online consultations are an innovative and effective way to bring professional garden design to a wider audience.
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Check back soon for more garden guides and happy gardening!
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