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Design
& realisation
How do we create the design?
At Visser Tuinen, we believe clear agreements are important. We have all the professional skills in-house to realise a complete concept. We always draw up a clear schedule in advance, and keep you clearly informed every step of the way so that everything runs as smoothly as possible.
Our garden designer listens to your wishes and ideas, checks your living situation, then creates a personalised design. This, the basis of your dream garden, also includes a planting plan and a lighting plan. It provides a comprehensive picture of your new garden, perfectly matched to you in both the design stage and when completed, ready for a lifetime of pleasure.
Before we can finalise the design, there are a few steps that have to be completed first. This step-by-step plan works a bit like a menu: you decide what you want us to do.
No-obligation briefing, brainstorming and mood board
We start off with an interactive introduction. You let us know your wishes, style and other criteria, to give us a clear picture of what you want. We write everything down in detail, and show you a number of garden examples for inspiration. After all, with 30 years in the business, we’re pretty sure we’ve already made a garden that you’ll like. We use your input to create a mood board, an excellent starting point for designing your garden.
Measuring and taking stock on location
Before we start designing, we check out the dimensions, height differences, drainage, soil conditions and location of your garden.
Let’s get designing!
All the steps completed? Then our garden designers get to work. They start with a sketch to give you an idea of the new garden. If you approve, the final design is made.
To find out how much it will cost, please see our fees.
Planting plan
This plan describes which plants and trees are best for each area of greenery in your new garden. We take all kinds of factors into account, such as the garden composition, soil quality, incidence of light, seasons, colours, flowering periods and ornamental value. Last, but not least, we consider your wishes: do you have green fingers, or do you want to minimise effort in your new garden?
Lighting plan
This plan takes into account the desired atmospheric effects, along with more practical considerations such as safety and functionality. We select the most suitable lighting fixtures for the garden design, so you can enjoy your garden to the full even when the sun goes down.
Quote and landscaping
Based on the previous steps, we create a comprehensive design plan. If you approve the design, we draw up a detailed no-obligation quote for landscaping your garden. Do we have a deal? Then our team of professionals and experienced gardeners will be happy to get started on creating your dream garden.
The intervention
Visser Tuinen has been designing, landscaping and maintaining gardens for over 30 years We rely on a team of passionate professionals who are famed for their knowledge and experience with all things green, concern for customers, and, above all, reliability. They’re only satisfied when the customer is happy with the end result, so, as you can imagine, we pay considerable attention to the details of every garden. We also take nature itself into account.
We want you to be able to enjoy a beautiful garden all year round, so we adopt a meticulous approach. We use a variety of high-quality elements, such as trees, shrubs, hedges, wood, lighting, and much more.
Aftercare and warranty
To make sure that you’re 100% satisfied with our work, we like to come and check everything after a few months. During this visit, we go round the garden one last time, share some maintenance tips, and chat about your experiences with our services.
If you think you need help with the maintenance of your garden in the future, we’ll also be pleased to help. We can arrange specialist maintenance once a year, or even total maintenance all year round!
Our themed gardens
Did you know that we also have six basic designs that use fixed elements? If you choose one of these designs, you pay a fixed landscaping fee per square metre, with no design or preparation costs.
Ontdek wat Visser Tuinen voor jou kan betekenen.
Ready for a personalised garden design? Please feel free to contact us for a no-obligation chat.
Contact details
Westeinde 5, 2451 VZ Leimuiden (The Netherlands)
071 - 33 154 34
info@vissertuinen.nl
Make an appointment
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to create a garden design?
The cost of creating a garden design depends on various factors; the size of your garden, what you want to include in the design (such as a planting plan and a lighting plan), and so on.
The good news is that the cost of a good garden design will pay itself back many times over, since a well thought out solution will use all the spaces optimally and take your preferences and lifestyle into account. Choosing the right materials, such as durable, long-lasting materials instead of less sustainable options, can also save you considerable expenditure in the long term.
Do you visit without obligation if I have questions about a design?
How can I prevent weeds growing in the joints in my paving?
There are various methods of preventing weeds getting established in the joints in your paving. You can fill the joints with joint sand. Joint sand does not mix with surrounding materials, so it doesn’t form a breeding ground for weeds. Make sure the paving drains well. If you make sure there’s enough slope, rainwater will quickly flow to the surrounding borders. If you also use water-permeable grout, tiles will dry even faster.
I’m building a new home. When’s the best time to get Visser Tuinen involved?
We recommend you get Visser Tuinen involved in the construction process at an early stage. If you do, all those working on the project can discuss with each other questions such as which architectural elements are the contractor’s responsibility, which should be left to the landscaper, and so on. You could look together at the possibilities for a piled terrace, and its size, for example. If you use the services of Visser Tuinen, you can be sure that your garden perfectly matches your new home and your wishes.
When’s the best time to plant a garden? Is it also possible in winter?
In principle, we can create gardens in every season, unless the ground is frozen and we have to do earthwork. If you decide you want lots of trees, winter is the ideal time to landscape your garden. If, on the other hand, your preference is for a garden with lots of flowers, early spring is the best choice. Many potted plants are supplied in containers and can be planted all year round, as long as there’s not a severe ground frost
Do you also supply all the materials needed to landscape a garden?
How much does it cost to landscape a garden?
The cost of landscaping a garden can vary greatly. It depends on multiple factors, such as the size of the garden, the design elements you want to include, the complexity of the landscaping, your specific situation, and your garden’s current condition.
As well as individual garden designs, Visser Tuinen also creates gardens based on six thematic designs, such as ‘Practical’ and ‘Sustainable’. These gardens are created for a fixed landscaping price per square metre, excluding design and preparation costs. Themed gardens
Is a planting plan drawn up for each individual garden?
A planting plan is created when the garden design is ready. Lots of our customers generally prefer that Visser Tuinen takes care of this task, but we can obviously take your preferences into account if you wish. We’ll give you a list of the plants used, so that you can get to know them better once they’re established in your new garden, Although it’s not always necessary, a planting plan can be very useful here for you as a garden owner, depending on your specific situation and wishes.
Is a lighting plan drawn up for each individual garden?
Yes, we do indeed make a individual lighting plan for every garden as part of the garden design. We select the most suitable lighting fixtures and incorporate them in the design. This is based on the atmospheric effects you want to create, and addresses aspects such as safety, functionality, and energy efficiency. The end result is a garden you can enjoy to the full in the evening.
Do I need planning permission for a summer house or gazebo in the garden?
In many cases, you don’t need planning permission for a structure in the garden in the Netherlands, but this does depend on a number of factors, such as the size, installation method, and surroundings. You can also check with the ‘Omgevingsloket’ which arranges planning permission for minor interventions in the Netherlands, if you need permission. It’s always a good idea to check the specific rules with your local authority
What is the maximum height of the boundary fence?
The maximum allowed height of the fence marking the boundary with neighbours depends on where it is located. A fence, wall, or gate behind your house can be up to 2 metres high. The maximum height of a boundary fence in front of your house is 1 metre.
If you want a higher boundary fence, you must apply for planning permission from your local authority, but once again communication with the neighbours is obviously the most important thing.
Does Visser Tuinen provide a warranty on the gardens it landscapes?
When Visser Tuinen landscapes a garden, the intervention is based on an extensive work description for each part. This quote for landscaping your garden is sent with the general terms and conditions for members of the Royal Association of Gardeners and Landscapers (VHG) attached. The terms and conditions of our warranty can be found in these documents. Terms and conditions and
Terms and conditions Business to Business
Please remember that your garden is subject to all the whims of our unpredictable Dutch climate, so things can occasionally break or a plant may not grow. We do provide a warranty, which varies depending on the part. For example, we provide a regrowth guarantee on the plants we supply for one growing season. If a plant is unable to establish itself, we will supply a new plant or recommend an alternative variety.
I’d like to have lots of butterflies and bees in my garden. How do I make my garden attractive to them?
Many plants attract butterflies and bees. Some are real magnets for these insects, so giving such plants a place in your garden is a guarantee for plenty of visitors.
Some examples of plants that attract butterflies and bees:
Verbena
Buddleia (butterfly bush)
Thymus (thyme)
Hedera Arborescens (bush ivy)
Salvia (sage)
Crocus (crocus)
Tetradium daniellii (bee-bee tree)
You could also plant a small area in the garden with a wildflower mixture. This would provide a habitat for pollinators and improve soil health at the same time.
How can I increase biodiversity in my garden?
It’s very important that there’s plenty of biodiversity in your garden, such as a variety of flowers and plants, as well as animals, insects, and fungi. You can stimulate biodiversity in your garden in a number of ways. Some tips:
- Plant a hedge instead of erecting a fence.
- Think about putting a pond in your garden, or provide water bowls; insects and birds love water.
- Make sure you have a wide variety of flowers that bloom in different seasons. By selecting plants in this way, you’ll be able to enjoy your garden more throughout the year.
- If you have enough space in your garden, you can place some wattle walls. These provide shelter for small animals such as amphibians, hedgehogs, and birds. If your garden is smaller, you can also place mounds of branches and leaves for guests such as hedgehogs.
- Another good idea is to hang up a bee hotel where bees can nest and hibernate,
- Hang up some birdhouses to provide shelter for our feathered friends.
- Avoid using chemical pesticides and herbicides in your garden.
- You can also rewild an area of your garden, where nature can take its course.
What types of paving allow water to pass through?
There are various types of permeable paving that help rainwater to infiltrate the soil easily. This helps reduce the risk of flooding during heavy downpours, and prevents large puddles forming in the garden because water immediately infiltrates the paving. Obvious examples include grass pavers and permeable paving, but you could also consider bricks/tiles with water-permeable joints that allow water to pass through. Rainwater can also easily penetrate the soil through gravel or grit. If water is a serious problem in your garden, consider additional measures such as drainage. Link to: Drainage
Should I disconnect my roof drainpipes from the sewer and divert rainwater to rain barrels in the garden?
The climate in the Netherlands is currently undergoing radical changes, so it’s a good idea to think about water in the garden. One option is to disconnect your roof drainpipes from the sewer and divert them to rain barrels.
Rain barrels collect rainwater, and act as buffers that reduce flooding during heavy downpours. The collected rainwater can then be used for watering plants, or cleaning windows or bikes to save drinking water.
Various local authorities provide a subsidy if you want to install a rain barrel. Visser Tuinen can help you install a rain barrel in your garden, as well as buffering and infiltration equipment, such as infiltration boxes. Collected rain water is then released more slowly into the surrounding soil.
Can I get a subsidy for a green roof?
Sedum roofs are attractive, relatively easy to install and maintain, and as a bonus they act as a rain buffer. Different types of green roofs exist, with various structures, purposes, and the amount of water they can collect and store.
In the Netherlands, you could be entitled to a subsidy for a green roof. The exact amounts and conditions vary, depending on your specific local authority. In general, the subsidy varies from 20 to 35 euros per square metre of green roof.
For more information: Green roofs
Can I turn an existing wall into a green wall?
A green wall is an attractive and sustainable way to bring greenery into your garden or building.
There are systems suitable for almost all walls, in which it’s possible to create a ‘living painting’ with an interchangeable system of plant cassettes. The result is a full, lush wall. This type of intervention is also called ‘vertical gardening’.
There are also ready-made solutions available, such as Mobilane's instant hedges, which consist of a metal grid completely intertwined with plants. This can also be placed against bare masonry walls. Depending on the specific circumstances and requirements, all kinds of options are possible.
Visser Tuinen offers various solutions for this. You can plant espalier trees (trained trees with a support structure such as a rack). Fruit trees can also be trained to grow in this way. The great thing about espalier fruit trees is that after enjoying the blossom, you can also eat the fruits. Some espalier plants attach themselves to the wall, such as ivy or climbing hydrangea, while others need support from a wire or a rack. The latter include roses, grapes, and clematis. There’s an enormous choice available. Every situation requires a different approach, and this is where we can help you with advice and tips.
When’s the best time to plant fruit trees and other trees?
The best time to plant any type of tree is when it’s dormant, namely the period from November to April when internal sap flows in the tree are interrupted. In this period, trees can cope better with being moved and replanted. If you plant a tree early in the winter, it will have time to root properly. The tree will survive the winter well, and grow faster in the summer.
Do you supply instant hedges?
Yes, Visser Tuinen supplies instant hedges. These are Mobilane green systems, which consist of a metal grid completely covered with plants. A range of different types and heights are available. Such a hedge can be placed all year round, unless there is a risk of frost. These hedges only need some occasional attention and annual pruning, so they’re easy to maintain. Click the link if you’d like to know more: More information about the instant hedge
What are the rules concerning trees, shrubs, and the property boundaries?
The rules for planting trees and shrubs near a property boundary are as follows:
- Trees must be at least 2 metres from the property boundary
- Hedges and shrubs must be at least 50 cm from the property boundary
- A tree or hedge which is not higher than the fence
- After 20 years, your right to demand the relocation of a tree or hedge ends. This is called the ‘statute of limitations’ in legal jargon.
How often should I water my plants and my lawn?
Any new plants in the garden must be watered, depending on the season, soil conditions, and weather.
The best time to water plants is in the early morning, as this minimises evaporation losses. During hot, dry periods, we recommend thoroughly watering 2 or 3 times a week. Giving plenty of water ensures that water reaches the deeper roots.
Using rainwater for watering is a sustainable option. It also contains very little lime, and is at the perfect temperature for your plants.
Water your lawn 2 or 3 times a week during hot, dry periods when the temperature reaches 20 ºC or more. If your lawn receives sufficient water, it will develop a solid, healthy root system and your grass will stay nice and green. The best way to water a lawn is to use a sprinkler
How do I install paving on soft soil?
Installing paving on soft soil can be a challenge, so we’ve listed some suggestions below that could make it easier:
- Avoid using paving: You could consider not using hard paving at all, but wooden decking. Decking planks are supported by underlying beams. Decking allows rainwater to drain more easily, so you’re less likely to experience puddles forming in your garden or, worse still, flooding.
- Solid base layer: Create a solid base layer before placing the paving. This could be a layer of fine rubble or crushed sand.
- Lightweight base layer: Sometimes, raising the surface with crushed sand isn’t the best solution, and a combination of materials works better. A lightweight structure based on EPS (expanded polystyrene) may be a solution. This helps maintain stability in the soil, and relieves the base. This synthetic filling material is also sold under the brand names Styrofoam and Tempex. Another option is YALI, a volcanic material that is also used for lightweight foundations. YALI is very easy to use. What’s best for your specific situation depends on various factors, but Visser Tuinen will gladly provide you with more information.
- Drainage: Make sure there’s enough drainage capacity, so that water can drain easily and the soil doesn’t become waterlogged. Solutions include installing drainage pipes or using permeable paving.
- Compaction: Thoroughly compact the surface before placing the paving. A tool such as a plate compactor helps with this job.
- Edging: Make sure the edging of the paving is resistant enough to hold the paving in place.
Help, my leaves are being eaten! What can I do?
If the edges of the leaves of your plants are damaged, the culprit is probably the vine weevil. These beetles are mainly active at night. Sometimes, you can even see the larvae or eggs. The larvae of the vine weevil burrow to feed on the roots of a plant, eventually killing it. Note: the vine weevil affects yew trees as well as many other plants.
We can combat vine weevil larvae using biological agents such as nematodes. Twice a year, we spread the nematodes over the places where the larvae gather. Using nematodes to combat vine weevils is safe for people, plants, and animals.
How can I improve my plants’ resistance to pests?
In the first place, you need healthy soil and good water management. If the soil is healthy, plants can absorb sufficient nutrients from it, so make sure you apply the right fertilisers in spring and autumn. This will help plants resist pests. Check your plants regularly, and inspect the leaves for bugs. If you suspect that your plant has a disease, try to find a natural solution.
For example, you can use the larvae of ladybirds to combat aphids; the larvae are highly effective at devouring these pests.
My garden remains waterlogged for a long time. Can I do anything about it?
There are various ways to solve the problem of a frequently waterlogged garden. Check out our suggestions below:
- Install a drainage system: If the soil above the groundwater level is waterlogged, you might have to install a drainage system so that the water can drain to a lower location. Such a system consists of ribbed tubes with thousands of holes in the walls, covered with coconut fibre. They do have to lead to some point where the water can go, and this must be lower than the drainage pipe.
- Aeration: Regularly aerating the lawn helps the lawn and underlying soil absorb water, reducing the likelihood of puddles forming on the grass.
- Improve the soil structure: Soils that retain a lot of moisture, such as clayey and loamy soil, are much more sensitive to heavy rain. If your garden contains this type of soil, it’s a good idea to spread a thin layer of sand each winter to improve the soil structure. This will help rainwater soak into the soil.
- Create a wadi: A garden wadi (a type of soakaway) is a lowered area in your garden where rain can collect, and then infiltrate the soil. This both prevents water accumulating where you don’t want it, and stimulates biodiversity; it will become a habitat for plants and animals that can withstand water and drought. In addition, a wadi can reduce the burden on the sewer system if rainwater drains are connected to it.
- Install an infiltration box: This is a large capacity box into which water can penetrate easily. The box acts as a buffer; it fills up with water in heavy rain, after which the water can gradually infiltrate the surrounding soil. One of the advantages is that it takes pressure of the sewers, as water can be directed to the box instead.
- Grate gutters (drainage gutters): Placing grate gutters or channel gutters around the edge of the lawn works really well. Excess water is collected by the gutters, and discharged to the sewer.
My neighbours’ trees are a nuisance, can I do anything about this?
Neighbours' trees affecting the enjoyment of your garden can be distressing. Issues can include overhanging branches or trees blocking sunlight (possibly even causing shadows on solar panels).
There are a number of steps you can take.
The first thing is to talk to your neighbours, and let them know their trees are causing a nuisance. Check if the trees have been planted in accordance with the rules; a tree must be at least 2 metres from the property boundary.
You cannot simply prune overhanging branches of a tree, you must let the owners know that the overhanging branches are causing problems. Give them the opportunity to prune their own tree.
If you cannot reach an agreement with the neighbours, get professional legal advice. Visser Tuinen only prunes trees on behalf of the owner of the tree.
Cats are causing a lot of nuisance in my garden. What can I do?
Ground covers such as cocoa shells, wood chips, or tree bark can help deter cats, because they prefer to walk on bare, unvegetated ground. Planting specific plants can also help; cats detest the smell of lilacs, lemon thyme, and mint, among others. Planting these species can be an excellent way of keeping cats out of your garden.
Setting up a water sprinkler activated by a movement sensor is another option. It is, however, important to remember that the effectiveness of such methods or plants may vary, depending on the cat and the conditions in the garden.
My garden is shady, with little direct sun. Which plants will give me enough colour in my garden?
Lots of plants thrive in shady conditions and add colour to your garden.
Some suggestions for flowering plants that like shade:
- Lungworts (Pulmonaria)
- Wolf’s bane (Aconitum)
- Columbine (Aquilegia)
- Crane’s bill (Geranium)
- Bleeding heart (Dicentra)
- Bugle (Ajuga reptans)
- Lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis)
- Plantain lilies (Hosta)
- Barrenwort (Epimedium)
- Great forget-me-not (Brunnera)
Can Visser Tuinen clean smooth surfaces such as decking or paving?
Yes, we can help with this. It’s important to brush off the coarse dirt first with a soft broom. Depending on how dirty it is, there are different ways to remove slippery grime. We can treat smooth surfaces with a product which helps combat green deposits such as algae and mosses. It can be used on tiles, walls, wood, and glass, but is harmless for plants and lawns.
We can also clean your paving or decking with our Terrazza MC patio cleaner, a machine which removes dirt and grime from paving and decking with brushes. The brushes will not damage your patio, driveway, or garden path. The machine works with water, and no other cleaning agents are added.
