Edible Garden Design and Consultancy

Bespoke edible garden design and consultancy

Whether you are starting from scratch or wanting to transform an existing garden, I can help you grow a beautiful, wildlife friendly, productive plot. 

With over three decades of practical growing expertise, I have created edible gardens from small urban plots to large market gardens.

“This is not just a labour of love. It is a labour of brilliance and expertise!”
Kevin McCloud (TV presenter, Grand Designs) visiting the kitchen garden I ran at Stavordale Priory, Somerset

Using sustainable, regenerative, no dig and permaculture methods, I offer a bespoke garden design and consultancy service which is tailored to your budget, local environment, and your vision for the garden. Find out more about my work here. 

Contact me to discuss your edible garden, and which of my services would suit you best.

“Well that’s inspiring.
I think everybody, even if we’ve grown vegetables all our lives, can learn something from that.”
Monty Don, about my garden featured on BBC Gardeners’ World in 2022

Edible garden design and consultation services

The edible garden design and consultancy services I offer include:

• how to create a new garden (including very weedy plots)
• how to transform an existing plot into a more productive garden
• planting and growing schemes
• wildlife friendly environments
• how to produce edible crops year round
• climate friendly methods of growing
• setting up a small scale market garden 
• creating community growing projects
• creating an edible landscape or food forest
• growing superb soil
• biodiversity and working with nature
• undercover growing
• transforming hard areas (concrete etc) into thriving growing plots
• harvesting water 
• making easy to maintain spaces
• composting, green manures and maintaining fertility naturally 

Whatever your gardening experience, I can help

I have worked with people who have never grown a bean, and internationally respected experts in their field. There is no such thing as a daft question. Everyone, no matter how much experience they have, is learning something new every day.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or confused where to start, I can help you boost your confidence and grow a wonderful garden.

If you need a fresh pair of eyes, specific support, direction or inspiration, I can work with you to create your edible garden vision. 

Friendly, supportive expert advice 

In-person and remote edible garden design and consultation

Different levels of design and advice are available according to your requirements, from in person or online consultation, to full scale design. I also offer ongoing support.

Consultations can take place onsite (either at your location, or here at my homestead garden), or remotely, via zoom or phone. 

“Hi Stephanie,

I just wanted to thank you again for coming and helping us today. I’m really excited about the project now and desperate to crack on… we’ve already been out marking out an area roughly and I’ve been lost in the Real Seeds website all evening!  I think there’s a risk I’ll order enough seed to plant a market garden in the whole paddock 🙂

Thanks for sharing all your knowledge and wisdom. It was so helpful to get your view and give us the confidence to crack on (we’ve already decided against putting a fruit cage in the bramble patch… I think we’ll stick to the field!).

Becks and Jason”

Extensive practical experience

I have been growing my own food for over thirty years, and worked as a professional kitchen gardener and grower for over 15 years. Projects I have worked on include:

• running the kitchen garden at Stavordale Priory for Sir Cameron Macintosh and Michael Le Poer Trench (for 3 1/2 years)
• creating and maintaining a kitchen garden for esteemed restaurant Roth Bar and Grill at Hauser and Wirth Somerset
• creating and maintaining a kitchen garden at Hadspen Estate (now The Newt in Somerset)
• advising the kitchen garden staff at Babylonstoren, South Africa
• creating a bar garden for top restaurant At The Chapel, Bruton
• creating a bar garden for The Bull Pub, Somerset
• advising Michelin starred chefs on their plots including Merlin Labron-Johnson for his allotment at Osip
• helping to create a new no dig market garden in Somerset
• working on all aspects of market gardens for 13 years
• advising market gardeners nationally and internationally
• consultancy for community growing projects, schools, permaculture groups and allotmenteers in rural and urban locations
• advising businesses wishing to create edible spaces to green their environment and boost staff mental health 
• consultancy work for brands and businesses

Different edible garden styles

Edible garden design is influence by practical factors including your location, large trees, nearby buildings, soil, spaces for children and pets, etc and your vision for your growing space. This could be a productive cottage garden with a combination of edible and medicinal plants, a small urban yard, or a weed-free market garden with wide paths for accessibility. Each garden is unique. 

I have created gardens which have been seen by tens of thousands of visitors annually, and small private gardens. Whatever your needs, I can work with you to grow the productive and beautiful garden of your dreams. 

Growing with nature

Our environment is crucial for the well being of us, wildlife and the planet. Diverse ecosystems are vital for the future health of our environment. They also look gorgeous, help to protect the soil from wild weather, and create a balance within nature.

In the consultations I explain how we can work with nature using permaculture and practical skills, to create imaginative and productive growing spaces. I can also advise other designers and consultants how to include these techniques in their work.

All of my designs are organic and wildlife friendly. They never include destructive practices, herbicides, insecticides or other harmful chemicals, or peat based composts. 

Show Gardens

Over the years I have been invited to create installations at large events, to demonstrate my work and enthuse others to grow food gardens that are naturally diverse and beautiful. 

Creating a show garden is very different from creating a real edible garden. They are a piece of theatre, to inspire and educate.

I project managed and co-designed the RHS No Dig Allotment Demonstration Garden for RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival in 2021, a large scale show garden including extensive planting and a range of expert speakers every day. This work included almost living on site for three weeks!

Other show gardens include micro-gardens for the Horticulture Village at the Royal Welsh Show, allotment demonstration plots for permaculture/green festivals and for the Horticulture Village at the Royal Bath and West Show. 

About Me

I am an expert no dig organic gardener and homesteader, with many years experience of growing in locations from tiny plots to large country estates. An award winning author and garden and food writer, and qualified educator, I’m a feature writer for national publications and currently working on my next book.

I have been designing edible gardens, offering consultancy services and teaching people how to grow edible gardens (and what to do with the harvests) for many years. An experienced public speaker, I give talks and workshops across the UK and internationally.

I’m a member of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture, and was listed as one of the Top 100 Women in Horticulture in 2025. Find out more about me here.

Costs

Prices vary according the the clients needs and the size of the project. Please contact me to discuss your requirements and the fee. 

Garden Construction, Installation and Maintenance

With many years experience of building and planting gardens, I can help oversee the project including site preparation and planting, but do not do large scale heavy work (anymore!) 

I can advise on some products, compost, tools, seeds, plants, polytunnels, etc but do not employ a gardening team for construction (of polytunnels, greenhouses etc) or ongoing garden maintenance.

Workshops and Courses at my homestead garden and beyond

Every year I host a series of gardening and homesteading workshops and courses at my garden here in Wales. Talks and other events I am attending are listed in the Event Calendar.