Planting Season
Garden Design
Planting Season is a Los Angeles based boutique landscape design and consulting firm that specializes in California native plants and kitchen gardens.Create beauty. Combat climate change. Reduce your fire risk. Find joy in your garden.Let's get started. It's Planting Season.
Why native plants
California is one of the richest places in the world for plant biodiversity. There are nearly 7,000 native species at our fingertips. So I believe that every type of garden, no matter your style, can be fulfilled with native plants.
In addition to looking beautiful, CA natives have evolved to live and thrive in our specific climate and support the greater ecosystem.Native plants can:
- Support native pollinators, birds, and other wildlife that have evolved to eat and use them
- Need less water than traditional lawns and non native plantings
- Need less maintenance than traditional lawns and non native plantings
- Reduce fire risk and increase fire resilience
- Remediate soil and improve soil health
- Control erosion
- Combat climate change
- Increase your connection to nature
About
Hi.I'm Alex, the face behind Planting Season. I specialize in California native plants and edible/kitchen gardens, and my work has been featured on the Theodore Payne Foundation’s Native Plant Garden Tour.As I began sharing my own journey into transformative gardening -- ripping out my own lawns, installing kitchen and native gardens, countless classes, and a lot more DIY than I'd anticipated (hello pandemic) -- I saw that other people long for beautiful outdoor spaces that reflect them. And I realized I had the passion, knowledge base, and experience that was greatly needed to help.So, unlike larger companies, I spend time to get to know you, your style, your needs, and create a plan of services completely tailored to you.I believe that any space can have a beautiful garden. Whether it be a small balcony or patio, suburban yard, or sweeping hillside, I can help. I want to help you create something that supports the eco system but most importantly brings joy.Put down roots. Connect with nature. Create a space that is perfect for you. It’s Planting Season.
Contact
Please fill out our contact form and we will contact you as soon as possible.
Thank you
We look forward to helping you.
FAQs
Do I have to give up my lawn?
No!
There are lots of reasons why having at least some traditional turf grass may make sense. But! There are native grasses that may suit your needs while using less water, benefitting the soil, and more. I will assess based on your needs and dreams and help you decide what would be best for you.
Is it all natives or do you work with other types of plants?
In addition to CA native plants I specialize in kitchen gardens as well. And I am happy to work with other non native species. If there are existing plants in your garden that you do not want to get rid of, I will do my best to incorporate them into the design. And there are other plants not native to California that work great alongside natives.
I will not, however, plant any invasive species.
What if I just want a kitchen garden / just want a native garden?
That’s great! I can help you with whatever you need.
Why don’t you do a free consultation?
Many companies do a free consultation. But when I was the client and worked with designers and contractors I always felt disappointed after going over my vision, hoping for an expert’s input, and afterwards only receiving what amounted to a list of what I said.
So I want more for you.
The consultation is, of course, a vibe check for you. Do you think we mesh? Will we work well together? But in addition to that, you get a customized lookbook that allows you to truly see the vision for the space. You are paying for clear direction. Then, if you like what you receive and want more concrete, finalized plot plans, we move onto the next phase. If you were just in need of creative direction and are more of a DIYer then you’ve got yourself a solid vision from an expert.
How we work
FIRST STAGE: Introduce Yourself
Reach out with our Contact Form and tell us a little bit about what it is you would like to accomplish.
I will reach out to see if we are a good fit.
SECOND STAGE: Envision Your Garden
For a flat consultation price of $150, I visit your space for a one hour consultation to better understand the site and get to know you. What is your design style? What are your dreams for the space? Who are you and how can your garden express that?
Included in the consultation price is a customized lookbook that I create based on our conversation. It will include basic concept renderings of your garden with a cohesive vision.
To learn more about why I do the consultation this way, please visit the FAQ page.
THIRD STAGE: Plan Your Garden
If you would like to continue after receiving your consult and lookbook, I work on a your-needs-basis at an hourly rate. We finalize plans and make customized plant selections. If your space needs it, I will draft detailed plans and bid out the job to subcontractors and installation specialists.
FOURTH STAGE: Commit to Your Garden
Depending on the scope, a deposit may be needed to begin sourcing materials and booking contractors.
FIFTH STAGE: Plant Your Garden
Officially planting season!
I will oversee all project work and liase with any additional contractors.
Demo, prep, hardscaping, and installation commence.
SIXTH STAGE: Enjoy Your Garden
Watch your garden begin to grow and flourish.
Sit in your coffee nook and enjoy watching the bees visit your tomatoes. Invite your friends to a dinner party under the grape vines. Stroll through the aromatic sage as hummingbirds flit by.
Enjoy your garden.
