On-site garden consultation in Cork
Before You Make Changes to Your Garden
Every good garden begins with the right judgement
If you’re about to change your planting, restructure beds or invest in your garden, this visit ensures you don’t get it wrong.
I’ve spent over 30 years helping people make the right decisions in their gardens.
On-site consultation in Cork.
On-site consultation: €480 plus VAT
I only take a limited number of consultations each month so each garden gets proper attention.
Is This Right For You
If you are considering changes to your garden but are unsure of the right direction, an on-site consultation may be the best place to start.
Tell me a little about your garden and I will advise whether this is the most suitable next step.
What Happens During the Consultation
During this on-site session, we will:
- Assess the garden and existing planting
- Discuss how you want the space to look, feel and function
- Test your ideas against the realities of the site
- Consider light, soil, scale, structure, access and flow
- Identify what should remain, change or be reconsidered
- Establish the most sensible direction for the garden
This is a first step, rather than a finished garden design or detailed planting plan.
What You’ll Leave With
After the visit, you will have:
- A clear direction for your garden
- A better understanding of what should stay, change or be removed
- Clarity on whether you need a planting plan, wider garden design or practical implementation
- Greater confidence about where to invest your time and budget
- A clear sense of the most appropriate next step
Some planting guidance may be discussed during the visit, but detailed plant lists, layouts and quantities form part of separate services.
Investment
€480 + VAT
If you proceed with a full design, the consultation fee becomes part of that investment.
What May Happen Next
For some gardens, the consultation provides enough to move forward independently.
In other cases, the most appropriate next step may be:
- A Planting by Numbers plan
- A fuller garden design and planting plan
- Plant sourcing and supply
- Further project guidance
- A simpler course of action that you can implement yourself
Any additional work is discussed and priced separately. There is no obligation to proceed.
Not sure whether an on-site consultation is the right starting point? Tell me about your garden and I will recommend the most suitable way forward.
A Different Approach
Many garden projects begin with hard landscaping - Paths, patios, walls
And planting is added later.
My approach is different.
- Planting is not an afterthought.
It shapes structure, atmosphere and long-term success.
- As a plantsperson, my expertise lies in understanding plants, how they grow, mature and interact over time.
- If you already have an established garden, I don’t ignore it.
I examine it carefully, deciding what deserves to stay, what should go, and how to build something better from what you already have.
If you would like to understand how professional planting structure works, you can read more about Planting Design and Structure here
What this consultation is designed to achieve
Understanding how you want to use the garden
How the garden works for you now, how you’d like it to feel, and what you want it to become.
Assessing the garden as it stands
Looking at structure, scale, boundaries, exposure, soil and existing planting, the fundamentals that shape every good decision
Identifying the most effective next steps
Helping to clarify the most sensible way to move the garden forward.
Establishing the right level of planning
Deciding whether the garden needs a full design, a planting plan or plant list, or whether it can move ahead without formal plans.
Considering timing and phasing
Discussing what makes sense to do now, what should wait, and how the garden might sensibly evolve over time.
Defining a clear route forward
Agreeing practical next steps, including whether further design, planting guidance or ongoing involvement would be useful.
Location
On-site consultations are offered within Cork and surrounding areas.
For those based elsewhere, an Online Garden Consultation provides the same opportunity to step back, assess the situation and decide how best to proceed.
How the process works
Support beyond the consultation
The purpose of an on-site consultation is to establish clarity and direction, not to produce drawings, plans or plant lists.
In many cases, the discussion and decisions made during the visit are enough for a project to move ahead'
Where the garden would benefit from more structure, additional services, such as a planting plan, a full garden design, or continued guidance as work progresses, this can be discussed separately.
In some instances, my involvement ends at the consultation itself.
Where it makes sense, I can stay involved in a way that suits the garden and the project, or step back once clear direction has been established.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need drawings or measurements before the visit?
No. The consultation is about understanding the garden and deciding the right way forward, not producing drawings on or before the day.
Is this suitable if I’m considering a full redesign?
Yes. Many full design projects begin with an on-site consultation to establish priorities before committing to a particular approach.
Is this suitable if I already have ideas or a garden plan?
Yes. The consultation often helps test ideas, refine them, or confirm whether they’re worth pursuing or editng before moving forward.
Can this replace a garden design?
In some cases, yes. In others, it helps clarify whether a design or planting plan would be worthwhile.
Can you stay involved after the consultation?
If appropriate, yes and I often do. This can be discussed once the direction is clear.
What if I’m not sure of the right starting point?
That’s very common. The consultation itself is designed to answer that question.
About Peter Dowdall.
I have spent more than 30 years working with plants and helping people make better decisions in their gardens.
My work combines practical horticultural experience, planting design, ecological understanding and a realistic appreciation of how gardens are actually used and maintained.
I also contribute regularly to Irish television, radio and national garden media.
My approach is simple: understand the garden properly first, then establish the right level of support.
But at the heart of it all is this:
"I love helping people enjoy their gardens more.
Every garden project brings together practical experience, ecological understanding, and creativity, shaped around how you want to live outdoors."
What They Say...
From wildlife-friendly gardens to low-maintenance spaces, I’ve helped countless homeowners create gardens that truly work for them.
“Peter’s expertise turned my blank lawn into a stunning pollinator-friendly garden. His advice and design were invaluable!
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“Peter's Design service gave me a detailed, easy-to-follow plan. Now my garden is thriving!
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“Peter's garden design completely transformed my outdoor space. His expert advice and attention to detail resulted in a stunning, functional garden that suits my lifestyle perfectly. He made it all so easy
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“Peter came, visited the garden and advised. We didnt need a garden design. Peter made the suggestions, he sourced the correct plants and showed us exactly where to plant and how to layout the beds. I could not be happer with how it has turned out
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Not Sure Whether This Is the Right Starting Point?
Tell me a little about your garden and I will advise whether an on-site consultation, online consultation, Planting by Numbers or another service is the most appropriate next step.