Wow! What A Beautiful Garden!

[Drew Aitch]

GARDEN OF EDEN EAST OF CHIANG MAI - Possible?

Hi Forum

A mate of mine has asked me to put out a request to anyone that knows of a good landscape gardener. He'd write in himself, but being a 1 fingered typist who painstakingly searches the next letter on his QWERTY keyboard, I offered to open a post for him.

Please note that we're not looking for a 'gardener' because there is no garden yet that needs the services of a hedge trimming, weed pulling, leaf sweeping, green, fingered maintenance man. No tree surgeons either please or anyone else who caters for post garden work.

He's looking for a good LANDSCAPE Architect, who can design and create a little garden of Eden East of Chiang Mai.

So if anyone here has had a garden created by a local company, and you were as pleased as punch with both the company efficiency, and the end results, then your feedback would be appreciated

Alternatively, if you don't mind, then perhaps my friend can contact you by email or phone (preferred method due to the one-finger syndrome), then please send me a PVT that that I can pass on the details.

Thanks in Advance

Aitch

[keo]

I could be wrong, but I think there is a landscaping company in the car park of Global House?

Failing that, asking around at Lotus Kamtieng would surely be a good idea.

[elektrified]

There are many Landscape Contractors in Talat Kamthieng. Many have a sign out front in English. You can ask to see photos of their work. There is one woman on the last soi where all the orchid sellers are that does incredible work. She has grey hair but does not look that old. Her shop is the closest to where the bathrooms are. No English spoken.

[elektrified]

I could be wrong, but I think there is a landscaping company in the car park of Global House?

Failing that, asking around at Lotus Kamtieng would surely be a good idea.

There was before the fire. Not sure if they are still there.

[cardinalblue]

Seriously..why don't you do the design yourself? Use the money to purchase plants, vases, stones, decking, and other garden materials, etc.

Put the money towards labor costs. We did our 122 squ wah property. For the design plans, they will be over-priced say compared to labor costs..Unless you have like a rai or more to do, you really can do the layout and plant/material selection...

We might even allow ours to be looked at for ideas...

CB

[Drew Aitch]

Thanks for all the replies so far guys. However, it's not so much the finding of landscape gardeners that's requested here, but more of personal recommendations from those who have had it done themselves and are over the moon with the results.

With regards to looking at snapshots of someone's work, well, is not quite the same as looking at their actual work, if indeed the images on display are genuine.

Seriously..why don't you do the design yourself? Use the money to purchase plants, vases, stones, decking, and other garden materials, etc.

That will make sense to some cardinalblue, but not everyone wants to do the job themselves, hence this post. I suppose we could all get our own workshop manuals and service the cars, or do our own decorating at home, or plumbing, or dress making etc, in order to save money, but the whole idea of getting someone in, is to give the job to others. Usually this is because we either haven't got the desire, flare, time, or any interest in such work.

So anyway, once again, if there are any folks out there that have had their gardens designed and built for them, and the results were very pleasing, please post here.

Thanks in advance

Aitch

Edited August 6, 2010 by Drew Aitch

[neilrob]

I could be wrong, but I think there is a landscaping company in the car park of Global House?

Failing that, asking around at Lotus Kamtieng would surely be a good idea.

I have used this company and do not recommend it.

[TheScribe]

I used one of the companies at Kamtieng and was sorely disappointed.

I specified new topsoil, proper ground leveling & piped drainage. They showed me a PC graphics set of piccies with nice big trees, herb borders etc. etc.

The topsoil was rubbish, there were no drainage pipes, the level of the lawn is wonky, the trees are stunted, and I was ripped off for 40K Baht.

I absolutely advise the OP's friend to DIY as far as possible. As with building work in Thailand, you MUST micro-manage and supervise EVERY step, and be actively involved in EVERY purchase of soil, plants, pipes etc. And don't pay in full until you are really, really satisfied.

[jayjay0]

Haven't a clue

But if I was going to do something like that I might take a trip out to Hong Dong and check out Dokmai Garden

[butterisbetter]

Haven't a clue

But if I was going to do something like that I might take a trip out to Hong Dong and check out Dokmai Garden

I was going to suggest the same thing but jayjay0 beat me to it. If there is anybody who can help you find a competent landscape architect, it's Eric, the proprietor of Dokmai gardens.

[cardinalblue]

I threw out that option b/c not so much as desire but avoid disappointment. Living out in land and houses, we talk alot about gardens and no one seems to recommedn anyone from a design perspective. Obviously, i was talking about design only and not actual labor/physical work..

If there was a great one out there, you would think the name would be floating around like restaurants or sunday brunches..

If you are willing to run the risk of mediocracy/not really what i wanted? Another way is drive around some complexes and ring doorbells...

CB

[Samuian]

lacking confidence in your very self?

Here on Samui, a while ago, got some plants delivered, the guy walked through the , looked around

and then came back asking for doing the "gardening"... I just asked how much, he mumbled "300.000 and I put some nice big trees in as well...!"

What makes them believe that we are that silly?

Edited August 7, 2010 by Samuian

[Greenside]

I could be wrong, but I think there is a landscaping company in the car park of Global House?

Failing that, asking around at Lotus Kamtieng would surely be a good idea.

I have used this company and do not recommend it.

They did two of the gardens at Ratchapruek, or so the owner told me so I'm surprised they weren't satisfactory. A pity, I was considering using them when we're ready to landscape (sometime in 2015 at this rate).

[LJW]

I could be wrong, but I think there is a landscaping company in the car park of Global House?

Failing that, asking around at Lotus Kamtieng would surely be a good idea.

I have used this company and do not recommend it.

They did two of the gardens at Ratchapruek, or so the owner told me so I'm surprised they weren't satisfactory. A pity, I was considering using them when we're ready to landscape (sometime in 2015 at this rate).

After hearing from an anonymous person on Thaivisa, you are not going to use their service? And you otherwise had good reason to use them??

Sounds foolish to me

[Greenside]

After hearing from an anonymous person on Thaivisa, you are not going to use their service? And you otherwise had good reason to use them??

Sounds foolish to me

How many negative comments do you need to see to get less enthusiastic about a supplier? The only "good reason" I had was from a visit and pictures of some work but they're hardly going to let me know about projects that didn't work out so well so I'll take a step back and do some more research. It's a while away, in any case. With the way suppliers come and go here they may not even be around when I come to get the work done.

[xen]

As a Landscape designer myself , may i offer some advice to your friend. He should determine exactly or at least some ideas what he wants in a landscape and then seek out the landscape designer/architect /contractor who has the ability to supply. Every designer/architect will have specialist areas that they will excel in . There are some excellent Thai magazines that can stimulate the imagination to help the process along .Visit a few gardens . Go to Dok Mai Gardens for sure. It is your money and you certainly want value and something you live with for some time. It is very easy to say that is why he needs a professional but it will avoid disappointment in the long run - because as the project develops, he will start finding out what he really wants and i am sure that anybody who has built their own home will agree that what concepts they began with can often be a lot different to what the finished project gives them . It is a delight to work with people who have an idea and can develop a rapport to achieve something everybody is happy with. And a good designer is not afraid of turning clients down if they feel a good outcome is not achievable.

[neilrob]

I could be wrong, but I think there is a landscaping company in the car park of Global House?

Failing that, asking around at Lotus Kamtieng would surely be a good idea.

I have used this company and do not recommend it.

They did two of the gardens at Ratchapruek, or so the owner told me so I'm surprised they weren't satisfactory. A pity, I was considering using them when we're ready to landscape (sometime in 2015 at this rate).

After hearing from an anonymous person on Thaivisa, you are not going to use their service? And you otherwise had good reason to use them??

Sounds foolish to me

PM me if you want more details, but I can say that I would not rely too much on anything the owner tells you.

[lingnoi1977]

OP,

I have not read all posts in detail so forgive me if I am going over old ground, but I have 2 people who have served us well. Our recently completed house in Doi Saket with a substantial garden was planned carefully with our input from inception. The end result is deeply satisfying and I think adds real value to the property. We interviewed many prospective landscapers to no avail (including two from Khamtien) and by chance we came upon a guy who grows his own trees behind the Sankampaeng hills. To cut a long story short, it ends up that he supplies some Moo-Baans and many wholesalers at the markets around Chiangmai. Quality is unquestionable and the price of large trees (10-15 inch trunk) is far less than wholesalers.

This guy is not a landscaper - solely a tree supplier. However, he works closely with another guy who has done some well known Resort landscaping recently.

The quote from these guys was about 30% less than all the others we interviewed.

PM me if you want further details - happy to help out. All care, no responsibility...

[Drew Aitch]

Thanks for all the replies folks. This topic has gotten a bit more attention than i thought it might do

I'm sure my one-fingered typing buddy is watching this thread with interest. I'll likely be talking with him over the weekend and see what he thinks of some of the offers for help and advice in the later posts.

It seems that landscaper gardeners are a bit like web designers and developers, in that everyone seems to know of someone, yet almost no one (almost), can make a firm recommendation. I have over 30 websites, and personally know a bunch of people running popular online projects around Thailand and other places, yet not one of us can come up with a single name that we'd dare recommend to anyone else for programming or graphics work. I'm convinced that the impressive portfolios in many cases are bogus.

It seems that Capability Brown types are not easy to dig out (forgive the pun!), in this 'ear neck of the woods.

Having said that, there must be a few good garden architects around. Just look at some of the lovely gardens that surround certain restaurants and spas with their lush tropical designs and rocky water features. But asking the owners or staff who did the landscaping is a akin to getting blood out of a stone sometimes, and not quite the logical approach it might at first seem.

Interesting thread though, and on behalf of my mate and me, thanks to everyone who's contributed thus far

Aitch

[F4UCorsair]

Aitch, recommending somebody is like recommending yourself; you are personally responsible regardless of the basis on which you make the recommendation.

Surely your friend is adventurous enough to do it himself though; check magazines, local gardens, draw a plan to scale (that's important with plants shown realistic size after a couple of years growth), and do it.

[Drew Aitch]

Aitch, recommending somebody is like recommending yourself; you are personally responsible regardless of the basis on which you make the recommendation.

I think this would be true in the case of 'A friend of mine knows this bloke', kind of scenario F4UCorsair, or other such types of second hand recommendations.

But the request is more specific in that it asks for recommendations from those who have already had work done, and are happy to display the results and pass on the details of 'The Man who did it', so to speak. In other words, the proof of the pudding is ……!

Surely your friend is adventurous enough to do it himself though; check magazines, local gardens, draw a plan to scale (that's important with plants shown realistic size after a couple of years growth), and do it.

Probably is, but don't forget that just because someone wants to enjoy a beautiful garden, it doesn't necessarily mean they want to create it any more than someone might want to start laying bricks in order to build the home of their dreams, even if they do have time on their hands and the ability to learn.

Asking for suggestions doesn't mean one has to run with the first proposal that come along, but merely add all recommendations to their list of options. The more one has to mull over, the easier it will be to make a better informed decision for themselves, as and when the time comes to make a choice, or not.

Cheers

Aitch

[whiterussian]

I can give you the name of a hi-so architect/drunk who may be able to help you. Doesn't speak Engrish. Has a bloody marvelous hi-so garden under Doi Suthep.

[jayjay0]

Lot of suggestions to do it yourself or plan it. I suppose they are OK for them but You know if you have the talent , time and willingness to do it. For myself I could do it but I am reasonably sure I would not like the end result.

As for web designer I can recommend one.

He is a very patient understanding man. He has to be patient he is my teacher. I am just right next door to tech challenged. LOL

[siftasam]

I would strongly support the reconmmendation to visit Dokmai Gardens near Hang Dong for all garden builders. Eric is such a knowledgeable guy who will give you his time and advice unstintingly (all for the entrance of just 300 baht). Do prepare a list of questions (and take a sample of your soil if you wish). Ask him about e.g. drainage, the best type of grass to grow, which trees and shrubs will grow best in any given position in your future garden, how to attract birds, butterflies and other wildlife, how to grow the best fruit and vegetables etc. He is brilliant at telling you how to prepare your soil - e,g. how much sand, what kind of topsoil and especially the BEST dung! If you want elephant sh*t, he can lay his hands on it! Do not hesitate, just go - he's on the web at www.dokmaigarden.co.th Take a pencil and pad with you! You can buy many plants, shrubs, trees from his impressive listings. Eric helped me enormously even though I was a first time visitor. He is closed on Mondays though - probably best to ring ahead.

[Drew Aitch]

Hi Forum.

I've been to see me ole mate today, and on behalf of us both, thanks to all who contributed to this thread. He's now got someone in mind, but will keep all options open and bookmark this thread for future reference, should he need to go back to the drawing board.

Cheers

Aitch

[0zz1]

I know a guy who has done several gardens here in cm some for government buildings some for private. He also did big park project in Qatar. He use to have website but cant find it now. He is specialized in water walls and fountains, ponds and stuff like that... most likely one of the most expensive if not the most expensive here in CM, but he comes with impressive portfolio.

And no I can even remember his name right now, but his wife is "Nikki" and runs Chiang Mai Sabai Apartment on Soi Sukhapibaan 12, Chang Khyen.

And please dont even try to do yourself... here in Thailand very expertise is very inexpensive... im not going to do our plumping work or electricity either.

[elektrified]

And please dont even try to do yourself... here in Thailand very expertise is very inexpensive... im not going to do our plumping work or electricity either.

Why not? It's quite easy and chances are you'll do a better job. Electrical and plumbing work here is not very good in case you haven't noticed.

You can design your own garden as well. You will need to study which plants need sun, partial or not.

[David2up]

Hi,

If someone wants to "do it yourself" which is what we believe to be more fun and you end up with something that is your own... Then we would be glad to hear from you and share with you what we've done; both right and wrong.

We've got 7-8 Rai that is landscaped from the natural to the detailed, multiple water features, Salas, garden rock wall in a partialy opend roofed bathroom, lighting systems with over 250 lights, irrigation... You can see some of this at our picture web site at www2up.smugmug.com click on the "farm" pictures and "water feature" sections and there are lots of pictures.

So if you are inclined to do it yourself - give us a call and we'll share the what and how of our project.

Cheers,

David and Mai

Chiang Khong

[cardinalblue]

Hi,

If someone wants to "do it yourself" which is what we believe to be more fun and you end up with something that is your own... Then we would be glad to hear from you and share with you what we've done; both right and wrong.

We've got 7-8 Rai that is landscaped from the natural to the detailed, multiple water features, Salas, garden rock wall in a partialy opend roofed bathroom, lighting systems with over 250 lights, irrigation... You can see some of this at our picture web site at www2up.smugmug.com click on the "farm" pictures and "water feature" sections and there are lots of pictures.

So if you are inclined to do it yourself - give us a call and we'll share the what and how of our project.

Cheers,

David and Mai

Chiang Khong

Good post! I don't get the negativity reaction to one designing one's own garden. Doesn't mean he has to carry rockls around or dig holes. And to those who defend it by saiying "one doesn't do their own electrical, do they". Do you also let someone pick your art work for you as well and decide where the sofa goes in the living room? Garden design is personal and a form of art.. Hiring someone to fix electrical or plumbing is not...

One's own investment especially time and energy is more more rewarding, satisfying and appreciated by you (all that matters) down the road...

CB

[elektrified]

Hi,

If someone wants to "do it yourself" which is what we believe to be more fun and you end up with something that is your own... Then we would be glad to hear from you and share with you what we've done; both right and wrong.

We've got 7-8 Rai that is landscaped from the natural to the detailed, multiple water features, Salas, garden rock wall in a partialy opend roofed bathroom, lighting systems with over 250 lights, irrigation... You can see some of this at our picture web site at www2up.smugmug.com click on the "farm" pictures and "water feature" sections and there are lots of pictures.

So if you are inclined to do it yourself - give us a call and we'll share the what and how of our project.

Cheers,

David and Mai

Chiang Khong

Would be interested in seeing your photos but the link just takes you to an advertisement. There is no "farm" pictures and "water feature" at that link.