Our Design and Installation Process:
This is an illustration representing the proprietary Coan Garden Design Method of Stephen Coan's consulting, design, & installation process. They are shown left to right, top to bottom, in the order of the many steps involved in creating nature inspired gardens and landscapes. Â
Stephen Coan's proprietary Coan Garden Design Method process starts with free 15-minute phone conversation to get a basic understanding of the clients project and budget and to see if their goals for their project align and may be a fit with our specialized services. This conversation is then followed by an in-depth paid consultation at the project site to review and further discuss the clients' project and budget. Each prospective Client receives a copy of the Process diagram along with a four page color brochure and an informational document to review.  After we agree to work together an agreement is signed, a retainer is given, the Client then receives a copy of his book that describes the entire process in detail and has garden and plant information. The Client also receives a copy of his comprehensive written questionnaire to fill out that enables him to get a full understanding and direction of the project to create his bespoke, ecologically guided, & nature inspired fine gardens and designed landscapes for each unique client.  All work is done on an hourly rate basis plus all expenses through the use of retainers as the project progresses.
The process begins with a base drawing as the foundation for all further designs after a site analysis of the existing landscape that may include, gps location, site conditions, soil, compaction, drainage, elevations, sun and shade positions, prevailing wind flow, and surrounding landscape, with many photos taken, and sometimes satellite or drone images done for reference.
Next comes the preliminary concept plan after a creative process envisioning the project that is reviewed with the Client prior to completing the final master plan that is the overall guide for the entire garden and landscape project. With the completed master plan the project can be broken down into different installation phases that can be installed over time if needed.
The next step is the Landscape Construction drawing(s) and documents with details of the different items to install or to be used by the construction contractors. Then, if needed for permitting, unique conceptual construction drawings are created for the style, shape, and materials of any non-permeable surface or architectural features or structures that may be included in the project. These drawings would be used as a design reference by a State licensed Landscape Architect or Engineer to perform the technical drawings for the permitting process and ADA compliance. (American's with Disabilities Act.)  Although Stephen is not a landscape architect, he will consult and collaborate with licensed Landscape Architects and Engineers on some projects as needed.
After the master plan and the construction documents have been approved the design is then marked out (painted) on the ground and any adjustments are made to the layout followed by a consult with the client and then final measurements are made for any materials that may be needed to be ordered for the set-up and installation of the hardscapes, architectural features, and new planting beds preparations that are done by other construction contractors.Â
Finally the unique planting plans are created with either a formal planting design or more frequently an on-site plant layout design hybrid that allows him the freedom of an artist ‘painting’ and "sculpting" with the plants in direct response to the garden location, site conditions, and surrounding environment. He then consults with the client and construction contractors during the construction and garden planting bed prep work phases. Once construction and bed prep work is completed, he will then perform the on-site plant layout design hybrid lay out and then personally install the beautiful lush garden plantings in phases.
The comprehensive design, prep, and installation process frequently takes several months to design, consult, plan, search for any needed construction contractors, acquire the estimates for any construction, plant searches, materials searches, any needed permits, schedule any construction, construction, construction consulting, planting bed prepping, layout design of the plants, installation of the plants, followed by the garden maintenance consulting. It's a slow process.  These steps must also follow what Mother Nature, weather, and timing dictates.
His unique garden solutions are one of a kind and site appropriate, reflecting the needs of each unique client and location.
The basic order of the Design/Install Process: Initial consultation > agreement > site plan > meetings > questionnaire > discovery > information gathering > site inspections & studies > concepting > design > preliminary concept plan > meetings with client > master plan > search for materials > installation instruction plans > conceptual construction plan(s) > technical construction drawings by licensed professionals > search for installation contractors > estimate requests sent out to contractors > construction contracts > permits > scheduling > design layout on ground and adjusting > architectural feature and hardscape construction > construction consulting > planting plan(s) > plant specifying selection plans > planting bed prep > on-site plant layout design > plant installation > garden maintenance and progress consulting.
Meetings and conversations with the Client continue throughout the entire process.Â
Projects progress through this process depending upon what is needed for each project in the general order listed with some tasks overlapping or sometimes skipped.
The timing of a new planting bed project installation is entirely dependent upon existing plant growth, Mother Nature, her weather, and her seasons; the demands of preparing the site especially with treating invasive or unwanted species; and Stephen's extensive experience with garden installation timing. After the entire design process is completed, Unfortunately, sometimes a garden just can't be installed at the timing desires of a client. Preparation of new garden beds only begin after: invasive species are treated and/or removed; (for spring planting) all of the cool and warm season plants (early and late season flowering plants) have mostly emerged usually in mid to late May; and for when Mother Nature gives her seal of approval as to when to start the garden prep in the spring or end the plantings for the season.Â
New bed preparations in the spring usually start in mid-late spring (mid-May) and especially after the last frost date to allow all existing plants, weeds, and invasive species, both cool and warm season (early and late season blooming plants and grasses) to mostly emerge from the ground so that they may be identified, transplanted, removed, or chemically treated to eliminate them in order to start with fresh planting beds which will then evolve over time into beautiful, multi-layered, sustainable, naturalistic matrix gardens that attract and support butterflies, birds, and other pollinators. New bed installations generally continue up to mid-fall, sometimes later or even earlier, weather dependent, followed by the spring bulb layer planting season when temperatures start to drop in late fall.  Â
Call me at 267.251.5855 to set up a consultation appointment to help guide you in the right direction. Â
By Appointment Only.
Stephen Coan Â
Stephen Coan Garden Design
Nature Inspired Gardens and Landscapes
267.251.5855.
 NJHIC# 13VH08688500Â
 
  
 
 
 Â
