News: 

Exciting times here - Its time to get a little more help building our gardens and new range of Outdoor Kitchens! 

Job opportunity - Self employed basis! 

We’re hiring: Labourer / Landscape Assistant

Enjoy being outdoors? Not put off by mud? Handy with a wheelbarrow? This could be the role for you.

‘Garden Design by Paul Slater’ is looking for a reliable, self-employed and physically fit person to join our small landscaping team, bringing unique garden designs to life across Hampshire and West Sussex. We build bespoke gardens for residential clients, keeping most work in-house; We may be small, but we work to the standard of much larger firms.

No landscaping experience is needed - just punctuality, a strong work ethic, a positive attitude and a willingness to learn how quality gardens are built.

You’ll help with:

• Moving timber, stone, soil and other materials safely and carefully.
• Supporting full garden builds, from the muddy early stages to the finished result.
• Work includes a wide range of materials including paving, walling, hardwood and composite decking, fencing, pergolas, garden buildings, outdoor kitchens, planting and more.

What’s in it for you?

• Flexible self-employed work, initially 2–3 days a week- ideal if you have commitments outside work.
• Fair pay, based on your experience and what you can add to the team.
• Fresh air, good chat, regular brews and the occasional doughnut or bacon roll.
• A small, friendly team - you’ll be one of three - where everyone gets stuck in, uses their initiative and learns.

This could suit a school leaver, someone on a gap year, someone leaving the armed forces, or anyone looking for practical, hands-on work with a good team. For the right person, there may be ongoing work and training toward becoming a skilled landscaper.

You’ll need to be:
✔️ Hard-working, disciplined and happy to get stuck in
✔️ Reliable, including for early starts
✔️ Easy-going, but switched on
✔️ Comfortable with mud, wheelbarrows, weather and a bit of banter

Useful details:

• Self-employed role, initially 2–3 days per week (no weekends).
• On going work across southern Hampshire and West Sussex.
• Early starts and outdoor work in all weather (average 6-7 hours a day).
• Pay dependent on experience, (£120- £150) with training available for the right person.
• Email with your name, location, availability and any relevant experience.

Think this sounds like you - or know someone who’d be a great fit? Don’t leave it too long.

We’re looking to find the right person soon, so apply today by emailing paul@paulslaterdesign.co.uk or sending us a message with your name, location, availability and any relevant experience.

If this isn’t for you, please share this advert on social media or tag someone who might be ready to get stuck in — the right muddy-booted legend could be closer than you think.

Garden design v landscapers. My first rant!!!!

In this industry, it’s completely normal for landscapers to build from plans created by an independent garden designer - and when it’s done properly, it works brilliantly. The landscaper gets a clear, measured plan to follow. The designer can support the build. The client gets a smoother, less stressful process. Good designers and good landscapers work together, recommend each other, and give credit where it’s due. Simple.

Most landscapers do the decent thing when they share the finished garden: “following a design by…” or “adapted from an original design by…”. That’s not difficult. It’s professional. It’s honest.

I regularly design gardens for clients who want to use their own contractor, or even build the garden themselves. That’s absolutely fine. I’m a designer first. People come to me for the design.

What isn’t fine is when a contractor posts the finished project and makes it look as though the whole thing was their creation. No mention of the designer. No mention of the plan they were given. Just a nice shiny post taking all the credit. I know it happens because I’ve seen my own designs built by other contractors and then claimed as theirs. Four times in the last 12 months.

“Look what we created for this lovely client. Aren’t we brilliant?”

No. That’s not brilliant. It’s dishonest. It’s misleading. And it’s usually very deliberate. These aren’t tiny one-man bands, either. One is very well known locally. They posted about their “brilliant creation”, said it was overseen by their own in-house designer, and then introduced “the team that made this happen”. Interesting. Because the design was mine. If they’re happy to be that loose with the truth in public, it does make you wonder what else they’re not being honest about.

Another local firm built one of my designs and claimed full credit for it too. When I challenged them, they denied ever having a plan or design to follow. But the finished garden matched my design exactly: the same measurements, materials, and layout. I walk past that house two or three times a week with my dog, and there is no doubt about it - it is my design.

To be clear, this isn’t about taking anything away from skilled landscapers - good build work deserves recognition. But design work deserves recognition too. If a garden has been created from someone else’s plan, it is only fair and professional to say so. A simple credit costs nothing, but it shows honesty, respect, and integrity all things this industry should value.

I prefer to offer a complete ‘design and build’ package, but when time allows or when the circumstances demand it, I also offer design only options.

Click here to book an initial phone call to see if I can help create your perfect garden.

Gardens that stand up to climate change.

‘Climate resilience’ is a topic being discussed on some landscape forums. With the very wet start to the year followed by the hottest and dryest few months on record, how do we keep our gardens healthy and able to withstand the extremes that are likely to become the norm?

In my view, the answer is not about fighting the weather, but designing with it in mind. Good soil preparation, sensible plant choices and careful water management all make a real difference. Gardens that have a strong structure, healthy soil and a mix of resilient planting will cope far better through both prolonged rain and long dry spells.

Mulching is one of the simplest ways to protect the ground. It helps hold moisture during dry weather, reduces weed growth and improves the soil over time. Where drainage is a problem, making sure water can move away from paths, lawns and planting areas is just as important. The aim is to slow water down, use it where possible, and avoid it sitting where it causes damage.

Plant selection also needs a bit more thought now. The right plant in the right place has always been good gardening advice, but it matters even more when conditions are unpredictable. Choosing plants that can tolerate short periods of drought, while also coping with heavier rainfall, can help create a garden that looks good for longer and needs less intervention.

There are also design choices that can make a garden more adaptable. Gravel areas, permeable paving, raised beds and well-planned borders can all help manage water and reduce stress on plants. Trees and larger shrubs are particularly valuable, giving shade, shelter and structure while also supporting wildlife.

Lawns are another area where expectations may need to change. A perfect green lawn through a hot, dry summer is not always realistic without a lot of watering. Allowing grass to grow a little longer, accepting some seasonal browning, or replacing difficult areas with planting, gravel or wildflower spaces can often be a more sustainable approach.

Maintenance plays a big part too. Regular pruning, feeding the soil and checking drainage before problems appear can prevent a lot of damage. A resilient garden is not necessarily a low-maintenance garden, but it should be easier to look after because it has been planned properly from the start.

For me, this is one of the most interesting parts of garden design at the moment. It is not just about making outdoor spaces look good on completion day, but making sure they continue to work well in the years ahead. As conditions change, the best gardens will be those that are practical, flexible and rooted in good horticulture.

I have been creating gardens this way for many years – the latest big build in Funtington shows all of these principles in action. From improving the soil to allow lush lawn to grow to selecting plants suitable for the varied conditions; Shade tolerant or ‘pioneer’ plants by the mature trees, to drought tolerant, sun loving species in the sunnier spots. Not forgetting the plants that like to keep their roots slightly damp along the banks of the natural stream and pool.

But what about people? I designed in several places to sit among the plants, enjoy views across and around the garden while making the most of the sun or shade at any time of day! That’s designing!  

Welcome to 2026. Wishing you all a very happy new year. 

As 2025 draws to a close, I want to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year.  

My office will be closed until Monday 5th January 2026. 

Dont forget, there is still space on my 'design your own garden' short course. Dont miss out - booking is essential.

April 2025:

Due to the success of my Garden design workshop I have just booked more courses for this year. 

To book a place - Contact us

February 2025:

I  am sure I dont have to say too much about the cost of living, or the cost of 'things' in general. It is affecting every aspect of our lives. I have not increased my prices for several years but, unfortunately, I now need to make some changes to ensure I offer a competitive and relevant service. 

Designs have been simplified - I will now offer a 'Working plan' from £450 which gives more details than the previous 'concept design'. For those more complex designs where a contractor will be building your garden, a 'Landscaper pack' will contain all the details (including health and safety considerations) required for them to provide an accurate quote and subsequently to construct your new garden. 

Every garden is different and each design is unique so the Landscapers pack will vary between designs.   

'1. Garden doctor' service: clear, indedendant professional advice on all garden related matters - prices start at £60 per hour. 

Want to design your own garden? 

To book a place - Contact us

The Garden Shows

I have been an exhibitor at ‘The Garden Shows’ for many years. I always enjoyed meeting people and talking about their gardens.

I was delighted to be asked to step into the vacant role of resident ‘Garden Doctor’ for the shows. I will be available all day at all 3 shows to answer all those tricky garden related questions.

Every day at 12.00 in the ‘talk tent’ I will give a short talk on ‘Small space, Big Impact’ all about making the most of a small garden.

18 - 20 April 2025 - The Garden Show at Firle Place, Firle, Nr Lewes, East Sussex, BN8 6LP

An annual springtime event set in the beautiful surroundings of Firle Estate, in the heart of the South Downs National Park. Set over three days, it features specialist growers, garden related goods, artisan designs, homeware products, fashion accessories & delicious country foods. There are daily talks, activities for young & old, expert advice and a variety of music & entertainment.

6 - 8 June 2025 - The Garden Show at Broadlands, Romsey, Hampshire, SO51 8GG

We are very excited to be bringing The Garden Show to Broadlands this summer. An excellent opportunity to explore all that summer planting has to offer, the show will be set over three days and feature specialist growers, garden related goods, artisan designs, homeware products, fashion accessories & delicious country foods. There will also be talks, demonstrations, activities for young & old, expert advice and a variety of music & entertainment.

25 - 27 July 2025 - The Garden Show at Rookesbury Park, Southwick Road, Wickham, PO17 6HT

The Garden Show at Rookesbury Park is an exciting new addition to the annual Garden Show events, held in the stunning setting of the Rookesbury Park Estate, nestled beside the renowned South Downs National Park. The show runs for three days and showcases specialist growers, garden-related goods, artisan crafts, homeware, fashion accessories, and delightful country foods. Visitors can enjoy daily talks, expert advice, activities for all ages, and a vibrant mix of music and entertainment.

More details and advance tickets here: The Garden Shows

Check back here regularly to find out what's going on at Garden design by Paul Slater.