Chew Gardens

09/06/2026

The Compton Martin decking project now finished off with stately timber pergola. Looking forward to naturalising this space now more with paths, flowerbeds, and climbing wisteria.

06/06/2026

Thinking about improving your garden?

I've recently added a page to my website explaining my garden design and consultation service, including examples of how I help homeowners develop their gardens.

Take a look here:

www.chewgardens.co.uk/p/design.html

At Chew Valley-based Chew Gardens, design is about creating gardens that feel natural, calm and lasting. Every garden begins with understand...

01/06/2026

Improving these pathways at a new client's wildlife garden. Amazing pond and no mow type flowerbeds feature elsewhere, as well as plenty of my favourite creeping comfrey.

01/06/2026

Dead hedging project. It looks better the more dead it gets!

01/06/2026

Fantastic steel garden artworks installed by the clients in this wildlife garden, very in keeping with the garden aesthetics and themes. Definitely an artist to contact in the future on my other designs and projects.

An inspirational idea fixing these in to an old tree stump!

01/06/2026

Concept garden design packages typically include site consultations, discussions around moodboard imagery, sketches, overhead plans, supporting reference imagery, material and planting suggestions, and illustrative visual renders.

Every design is bespoke to the space, the client's preferred style, budget, and maintenance requirements. The design process considers how the garden will be used throughout the year while working sensitively with ecological principles and the existing character of the site.

I often advocate for a more naturalistic, ecological approach to garden development. Rather than a single large-scale transformation dominated by hard landscaping and material costs, gardens can evolve over time through thoughtful planting, habitat creation, and phased improvements. This approach is often more affordable, adaptable, environmentally beneficial, and ultimately results in richer, more resilient gardens.

01/06/2026

Concept garden design packages typically include site consultations, discussions around moodboard imagery, sketches, overhead plans, supporting reference imagery, material and planting suggestions, and illustrative visual renders.

Every design is bespoke to the space, the client's preferred style, budget, and maintenance requirements. The design process considers how the garden will be used throughout the year while working sensitively with ecological principles and the existing character of the site.

I often advocate for a more naturalistic, ecological approach to garden development. Rather than a single large-scale transformation dominated by hard landscaping and material costs, gardens can evolve over time through thoughtful planting, habitat creation, and phased improvements. This approach is often more affordable, adaptable, environmentally beneficial, and ultimately results in richer, more resilient gardens.

01/06/2026

A new concept garden design in Chew Valley..

Concept garden design packages typically include site consultations, discussions around moodboard imagery, sketches, overhead plans, support...

01/06/2026

I've seen this image doing the rounds on social media lately, and thought it was worth sharing.

This is not my own image and has been freely shared online for several years.

As an ecological gardener, and someone who sees the effects of our changing climate becoming more apparent each year, I believe it is important to let parts of our gardens grow.

Areas of longer grass, trees, abundant planting, leafy ground cover and climbing plants all help to cool their surroundings, improve air quality, support biodiversity and create valuable habitat for wildlife. They also help us feel more connected to the natural world around us.

If wildlife suffers, ultimately we do too.

This image illustrates the difference perfectly. Rather than cutting every inch of grass down to a short, dry, yellow lawn, consider a hybrid approach: usable mown areas combined with intentional no-mow or less-frequently mown spaces.

More nature, more resilience, more life.

Consider it.