Every good garden begins with the right judgement.
Before You Do Anything in the Garden
Get it right first.
If you’re about to change your planting, restructure beds or invest in your garden, this visit ensures you don’t get it wrong.
On-site consultation in Cork.
Investment starts at €480.
I only take a limited number of consultations each month so each garden gets proper attention.
Why This Matters
- Planting is where most gardens succeed or fail.
- Plants placed in the wrong position.
- Schemes that don’t mature well.
- Money spent without a long-term structure.
One thoughtful, professional assessment at the start can prevent years of regret.
A Different Starting Point
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 nationally recognised plantsperson, my expertise lies in understanding plants, how they grow, mature and interact over time.
- If you already have an established garden, we don’t ignore it.
We examine it carefully, deciding what deserves to stay, what should go, and how to build something better from what you already have.
This is where experience matters.
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
This is a structured on-site session where we:
- Assess your existing planting.
- Test your ideas against the reality of your space.
- Examine structure, scale, light, soil and flow.
- Clarify and define the direction your garden should move in.
It is a decisive first step, not a finished design.
What You’ll Leave With
After this visit, you will:
- Have a clear planting direction for your garden.
- Know what to remove, refine or rethink.
- Understand whether you need a planting plan, full design, or simply careful implementation.
- Feel confident about investing properly in your garden.
Some planting guidance may be discussed for specific areas, but detailed plant lists and layouts form part of separate services.
Is This Right For You
If you’re planning to change anything in your garden, this is your starting point.
If you’re unsure, send me a few details first and I’ll guide you.
Who This Is For
This consultation suits anyone who:
- Wants to improve their planting.
- Wants to invest wisely rather than impulsively.
- Values professional input before committing money.
- Is ready to act in the coming months.
Whether your project is modest or substantial, the principle is the same:
get the direction right first.
What Happens Next
From here, you may:
- Implement the advice yourself.
- Commission a planting plan.
- Proceed to a full Garden Planning & Planting Design.
- Or simply move forward knowing your approach is sound.
There is no obligation only clarity and reassurance.
Investment
€480 + VAT
If you proceed with a full design, the consultation fee becomes part of that investment.
Stop For A Moment
If you’re about to spend money on planting.
Wait....
Make sure it’s right.
Starting in the right place...
Many of the people I work with are ready to make changes in their garden, but need help deciding which direction makes most sense.
Often, what’s needed first isn’t a full design, but a simple, experienced conversation about what really matters: how the garden should feel, how it will be used, what needs to change, and what can be left alone.
This on-site consultancy is designed to establish what should happen next.
It allows us to explore your wants and needs in the garden and to identify the most sensible way forward, whether that’s a full garden design, a planting plan, a plant list, or a project that can move ahead confidently without a formal plan at all.
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 confidently 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 confidently without any further documentation.
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.
After the Consltation
Possible next steps
- Planting plan or plant list
For gardens where structure is in place but planting needs to be designed or re-designed
- Garden design & planting plan
For projects that benefit from full resolution and longer-term planning.
- Project guidance
For gardens that can move forward without formal plans but benefit from oversight and advice.
About Peter Dowdall.
My passion is helping people create gardens that feel alive, natural, and personal.
I’ve spent decades working in horticulture across Ireland, appearing on national television and radio, writing newspaper columns, and speaking about sustainable gardening and plant science.
But at the heart of it all is this:
I love helping people enjoy their gardens more.
Every design 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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