Whyte Gardens

I never ate a vegetable until I was 24 (apart from potatoes)! Now I live on 5 acres on the Mornington Peninsula, happily growing enough veggies and herbs for the entire community!  Oh, the irony …

Let me give you some insight into how I ended up where I am. At best it will help you understand how I work and what I value… at worst it should give you a laugh!

I’ve always been a bit of a pioneer. I never intentionally set out to be that, but I’ve always been someone who gets on with it first, gets the job done. BUT I don’t necessarily get it done beautifully. Which is curious then, that I’ve ended up in an industry that is all about making things beautiful!

The truth is, I’m led by my passion and creativity and adventurous spirit. I want to see the end result. Thankfully, as my experience has grown (30 years of it by now!) I’ve learnt to finesse that pioneer spirit and ensure the bull at the gate is tamed …just a little…

Arriving in Australia from Scotland at age 24, I had no clue what I wanted to be when I grew up. As a teenager, I’d always wanted to be a draftsman; I loved to draw and design things. Unfortunately, that idea was quickly whipped out of me as I was told I wasn’t ‘smart enough, so instead, I worked as a Turner in a factory. Next, I found myself in aerospace engineering working on Rolls Royce aircraft engines. I then dabbled in the heady world of multi-level marketing businesses selling nutritional supplements, amongst other things!

I ended up falling into landscape design, learning as I went.  I am a keen observer but also learn very much by doing, so I asked the right questions and got in there and gave it a go. One of my early mentors cleverly told me: “You don’t have to know everything; you just have to know where to find the knowledge.”  I’ve let this philosophy guide me as I’ve built my expertise and also learnt to hire people who are much better than me! I’ve also realised I now know ‘enough’ to share that learning with others who are keen to know the right questions to ask.

Once immersed in the garden business, it didn’t take me long to realise that my love for the great outdoors had been there all along. Unsurprisingly, my fondest childhood memories are of long days spent wandering through fields and forests, collecting birds’ eggs, and fishing down at the local river.  Having lived in an apartment without a garden, the wide-open spaces became my own private sanctuary. I also recall making the most of that apartment space to bring the outside in; I nurtured a tomato plant given to me from school, even though I hated tomatoes with a passion so that it would bear fruit for my Mum.

Gardening is in my blood. I’ve just come full circle to what I now see has always been my purpose – to show others how the connection to nature can heighten the connection to self and others. My Grandpa was an avid gardener whose glasshouses were decorated with trailing grapevines and bursting with beans.  He created a little shop window out the front of their house to sell excess produce to the community; everyone loved Bertie and his veggies. I didn’t often help much, but I observed the satisfaction and a sense of purpose Grandpa received when tending to his garden every day. I also loved watching my Mum and Grandma shell peas at the kitchen table in preparation for dinner, even though I knew I would never taste those green delights.

I know now that I want more people to experience the pleasures of the great outdoors both as a place of respite but also of nurturing, connection and entertainment. I understand that the aesthetics of nature deliver human beings a sense of freedom and calm. And I genuinely believe that there is more joy to be had outside than inside. It is a hectic world for most of us, and the need for a sanctuary is vital to our sense of wellbeing. That sanctuary is your garden.

Some final tidbits about me:

• I SERIOUSLY never ate a vegetable until I was 24 years old, but now my favourite veggie is green beans
• I’m a passionate kayak fisherman
• I have a Ragdoll cat called Brinkley
• I worked on Rolls Royce aircraft engines but drive a …Ford
• I am saddened by suburban blocks being sliced down to boxes with no space to live outdoors
• My favourite plants are perennials
• My driving force is to educate people on the importance of a garden for their wellbeing
• My wife Suzie is my rock and guide in life and, along with my two kids Sophie and Archie, are my greatest source of inspiration to strive to be the best person I can be.

Andrew Whyte
Director

Ashley
Lead Designer
A.A.S Horticulture
Cert. IV Design (Landscape)

Suzie
Relationship Manager

Andrew M.
Project Manager

Zeb
Landscape Architect

Zac
Landscape Architect

Connie
Landscape Designer & Horticulturist

Georgina
Landscape Architect

Samual
Horticulturist

Rebecca
Horticulturist

Specialist Contractors
In many of the projects we build there are any number of specialist contractors we may use, from pool builders and carpenters to steel fencers and plumbers, or perhaps an electrician, concreter or other contractors that is the best one suited to the activity.

We coordinate all of it for a quality result you will admire.

Designing Your Ideal Garden Doesn't Have To Be Difficult

Many people dream of their ideal garden but feel overwhelmed when thinking of how to put it all together. It can be hard to know where to start when it comes to designing and building.

The first step begins with the Initial Consultation
The initial consultation is to understand your garden aspirations, outdoor limitations, budget and timeline for construction. It is to offer ideas to establish the direction your design may take.

On-site consultations begin with a fee of $330 (GST incl.)

Or an online consultation using a Zoom video call which is free of charge

Please feel free to call Andrew on 90174344 to book an initial consultation and discover the possibilities for your garden.

Concept Design
You have many ideas, some articulated and some in need of finessing, for your future garden.

We enhance those ideas with ones of our own. Experience is the commodity that makes all the difference when you are looking to create something special, and as a team, we have decades of experience to offer you.

The concept design is the first stage of the design process and the aim is to allow you to discover the possibilities. This step is about you visualising your future garden. As you look upon the design, you will see the entertainment area you dream of, where family and friends will gather and create moments to remember; perhaps you will imagine relaxing in the garden with a glass of wine; noticing the pool in the design will conjure thoughts of your family cooling down in summer. 

It is here in the Concept stage that the design provides hope of a better way to live, one where the connection with others and a sense of being immersed in your own private getaway, become a sanctuary of joy. The concept stage is the dream coming to life.

Master Plan

The concept design breathes life by defining every plant, specifying all the materials to be used, and adding notations on colours, finishes, etc. Your Master Plan fully details the elements. Where the concept design may have said, "feature tree at the front door to allow soft light over the front entrance", the Master Plan details that as, "Ginko Biloba tree". 

Your Master Plan is like having the travel tickets for your European adventure arrive at your door. What comes next is, you need to back the suitcase and arrive at the airport and that step comes next in the construction phase.

Landscape Construction by Whyte Gardens
Our experience gained over the past 25 years allows us to avoid the most common mistakes some landscapers make in the construction of their projects. Ultimately it comes down to focusing on the following key points:

Planning
We ensure no contract is signed until every drawing and every permit is complete. We consult the engineer, the building surveyor, and others so we have confidence that your project will comply with every code. During the design phase, our landscape architects and the project manager consult with one another over your project to ensure nothing is missed. Our systems have been set up on several software platforms and in-house systems to ensure you are serviced in the manner you expect.

Registered Builder
As Registered Builders, we guarantee high-quality construction and comply with all local and national standards and codes. Our experience in the landscaping industry provides us with the knowledge to handle all landscape construction situations. We pride ourselves on achieving the best result for our clients, one that is of high quality, on time and on budget

Communication
Things only go wrong through a lack of communication. So we keep you informed of the job’s progress and ensure you have the right expectations at every stage. We explain such details as to why an automated gate for a driveway can only start being fabricated, once the piers or posts are in place and only then can we measure it accurately. We believe in open channels of communication where you can feel free to ask anything, about any aspect of your job at any time.

Craftsmanship

Our in-house team of landscapers and specialist contractors are experienced and deliver work to a high standard, with proven results. We go the extra mile and you’ll see it in the little things we do, like running a clean site; careful scheduling of work and suppliers; our team’s skill in handling your enquiries.

Relationships
The final key ingredient in successful construction is the liaison with other contractors, such as pool builders for example. When installing a pool as part of your project, we maintain a close relationship with the pool builder and manage every aspect of the installation to ensure the best outcome for you. Often, we will excavate the site for our needs, then hand it over to the pool builder to excavate for theirs. Once they pour the concrete shell we come back to carry on our work but once they start tiling we may leave again to allow them free access to complete the tiling and install pipeworks. We will also liaise with them on such things as electrical works. We pride ourselves on the great working relationships we have with specialty contractors and suppliers to ensure we always deliver a professional outcome.

You can rest assured, that as we handle everything about your landscape project, from design through to construction, we can make sure your garden ends up just how you dreamed it would.

AM I COMMITTED TO FOLLOWING THE DESIGNERS IDEAS, AND WHAT IF I DON'T LIKE THEM?
I have heard people say this has happened to them but not with Whyte Gardens. Our philosophy is to ‘suggest’ and to always be mindful of staying within your style and goals, that’s why we have a thorough brief meeting.

WHAT IF THE DESIGN ENDS UP GOING WAY OVER BUDGET?
Design (layout stage) is complete, we will formulate a cost estimate before going onto the Design Development stage this way you have control early on to make changes.

WILL THE DESIGNER GIVE US IDEAS?
The role of a designer is to take what you would like to have in your garden both aesthetically and functionally, then enhance it in ways you perhaps hadn’t thought of, so yes!

WILL YOU CREATE MULTIPLE OPTIONS?
Philosophically we do not understand this approach. We ask lots of questions and discuss options before anything is drawn up. The design will be right for your needs because we will have discussed the options already.

ARE WE COMMITTED TO ENGAGING YOU IN CONSTRUCTING THE LANDSCAPING?
We hope that we do build it with you, but you are certainly not obligated to.

HOW LONG DOES THE DESIGN PROCESS TAKE?
Allow 12 weeks from starting the design, depending on how busy we are and how long you need to review aspects and give us direction.

MY HOUSE HASN’T HAS BEEN BUILT YET, WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO DESIGN?
You can’t design too early, but you can leave it too late. Hurdles can arise such as the need for planning permits; build over easement permits; engineering; etc. So, it is best to get started as soon as possible.

WHAT DOES A DESIGN COST?
The cost varies depending on the complexity of the design; the size of the land; the scope of the project in terms of how many elements are involved.

WHO WILL CREATE MY DESIGN?
We are a team with individual experience and skills. It is a collaborative effort with the whole team, with one designer assigned to create it and will be your point of contact throughout.

WHAT COMES AFTER THE MASTER PLAN IS COMPLETE?
This depends on the complexity of the project. Working drawings will need to be created. For some projects, a few dimensions are added. For others, complex detailed sectional views are required to work out how to build it. Once the Master Plan is complete, we will offer a proposal to create your working drawings and handle any permits, engineering, etc. that may be required. Once those are complete, we present the final proposal to carry out the landscaping stage and create the garden you have been dreaming of.