Matthew Wilson, Director Matthew Wilson Gardens wrote:

‘It can be a challenging task to successfully rebuild a Chelsea Flower Show garden. What you get to work with is a kit of parts that were designed to work in a very different place for a limited time. Craig and his team did a superb job of unpicking that lit of parts and rebuilding it in a way that strongly evokes the original garden but makes it work in a new location and for a very specific set of users. The standard of finish is excellent and throughout the build the C.A.R. Gardens team showed commitment, skill and dedication. I’m as proud to be associated with the new garden as I was when it was at Chelsea’.

Alan Titchmarsh MBE:

‘Letting someone loose in my garden is not something I would ever undertake lightly, but C.A.R. Gardens have worked with me and for me in an exemplary fashion. They are sensitive to an owner’s requirements, innovative when asked to suggest designs and fastidious in the standard of their workmanship. They are also reliable and easy to get on with; in short, I cannot recommend them too highly.  Few can equal their quality of workmanship and their helpful attitude.  Our happy relationship will, I hope, continue for some time.’

Landscaping and Design

Nigel Hartley, CEO Earl Mountbatten Hospice wrote:

‘Craig and his team from C.A.R. Gardens installed the new Chelsea Garden at Earl Mountbatten Hospice which was made possible by the fundraising efforts of the Greenfingers Charity. It is obvious that Craig and the team are experts in their field and the professionalism of the team which was displayed by both competence and behaviour fitted well into the ethos and environment of the hospice. They were engaged and committed and I would recommend that anyone wanting a professional and confident service delivery and result, injected with an innate sense of calm and dignity use them.’

John Ashley, Chairman of Greenfingers Charity wrote:

‘Greenfingers Charity has to rely on a network of experienced and reliable Landscapers. C.A.R. Gardens have worked for us on our 51^st garden project at the Earl Mountbatten hospice during the last six months. Craig (the owner) and his team have been fantastic in understanding the needs of both Greenfingers Charity and the hospice. Craig is professional, knowledgeable and diligent. His attention to detail is meticulous. Both he and his team have gone the extra mile with regard to this project whatever the weather’!

Don and Ruth wrote:
‘My wife and I would like to express our thanks and pleasure to Craig and his very professional team, on the transformation and the resulting, beautiful garden’.

Andy in Cowes told us:
‘Thanks so much for creating a perfect garden for me. It was such a pleasure and great fun to work with you guys, I’m almost sad the project is complete.’

Annette in Wootton told us:
‘I am delighted with the pond and the quality of the work’.

Kahren in Ryde told us:
‘Craig and his team are talented and trustworthy and I highly recommend them. They have done a number of hard landscaping jobs for me, including installing raised decking, as well as giving us advice on planting. Craig is very knowledgeable, helpful and creative. I really appreciate the time and effort they have spent helping make our garden more lovely and useful.’

Debbie in Newport told us:
‘Thank you, Thank you, You have transformed my ‘bog’ to a beautiful, peaceful and relaxing garden: exactly what I dreamt of, but didn’t think possible. Your team work extremely hard in all weathers, you are reliable, and absolutely the right guys for this project.’

Pat in Norton Green told us:
‘The garden looks fantastic- so many thanks for all concerned. I am getting such pleasure from it and it is much admired.’

Kathleen in Shanklin told us:
‘I am really thrilled with the new look- you pay such attention to detail and your ideas are inspired’

Karin in Totland told us:
‘The conduct of our decking project from initial consultation to completion was exemplary. Craig’s knowledgeable and sensitive approach to people and the natural environment, combined with his design ability and attention to detail was evident throughout the project and was fully emulated by his colleagues. All work was carried out efficiently and to a high standard. At all times we were confident about the workmanship of the team and Craig’s thoughtful and measured responses to our questions and queries as the work unfolded. All three were unfailingly polite, quiet and good-humoured, whatever the weather. We developed great respect for Craig’s use of local, sustainable materials; his pursuit of organic gardening principles and his obvious creativity ability and our trust in him was wholly rewarded. We have no hesitation in recommending Craig and his team unreservedly.’

Beryl in Ryde told us:
‘Thanks so much to you and the team for your help and hard work. It was a pleasure to work with you all and the result is even better than I’d anticipated. I just know the garden is going to bring me a great deal of pleasure for many years’.

Deborah, Senior Teacher at Ryde School wrote:
‘We recently had a decking area added to our school playground, to provide a sheltered space for children who wished to talk, read or play quiet games. Mr Ratcliff, of C.A.R. Gardens, produced the designs for this project, prepared fully comprehensive quotes for a variety of materials to be used and installed the area during the summer break. Throughout, the work was to a very high standard and every detail was given attention. Some pupils have been able to participate in the choice of planting added, with Mr Ratcliff’s advice. The final product is first class and is very much appreciated by our children. It is a structure that will provide service for many years and will be enjoyed by generations of pupils.’

Sanjay owner of Waxham House Residential Home, Ryde told us:
‘Thank you for the lovely work you & your colleagues have undertaken for us. The residents are extremely happy with the new look garden.’

Planting

Debbie in Carisbroke told us:
‘Wow! What a transformation. You have changed my garden from a dull and uninteresting space into my dream ‘cottage’ garden. Together, you have devised a garden with an excellent planting scheme creating masses of colour throughout the year- the perfect place to relax. I would happily recommend CAR Gardens to all my friends. Thank you!’

Pauline in Shorwell told us:
‘We are really pleased with the way you cleared and planted a very difficult part of our garden. Thank you sincerely.’

Sally Davies, Head of Fiveways Primary School in Ryde told us:
‘Wow, what a lovely surprise to come back to today. Thank you so much for the beautifully planted beds. They look fantastic and I know the children will love watching everything grow. I love the insect boxes too. It will be fun to see if we get any inhabitants.’
And 18 months later Sally told us:
‘Just to say that our flowerbeds are now attracting lots of butterflies and other mini beasts, thanks to your lovely planting’.

Tara in the West Wight told us:
‘The garden is looking wonderful…everything has been designed, planted and installed to a very high standard. Thanks again to the whole team for all the hard work.’

Garden Maintenance

Amanda in Ryde told us:
‘You certainly exceeded any expectations I had and I would gladly recommend you to anyone. You also delivered fantastic value for money, which is so important, not just in these austere times, but always. Thanks again to you all for a wonderful job!’

Trudie in Totland told us:
‘I wanted to thank you and the team for transforming our cottage gardens and keeping them looking so good!’

Dee in Ryde told us:
‘You guys give great value for money! (It’s not always about being the cheapest, I know.) Your expertise and level of service are second to none. ‘Thank you’ to you and your fantastic team!’

Harry, an overseas customer, whose garden we care for in Cowes told us:
‘I find every time your notes about your achievements and progress made in my garden. I like that and have to say that you are doing a very good job for me and the garden.’ And ‘I just entered my house after a couple of months. All your notes about your activities were in the kitchen. Well done. Good work in the garden. Hopefully you will deliver the same perfect work this year. You seem very well organized and it is a pleasure to work with you.

Delyth in Havenstreet told us:
‘We are delighted with the way that the garden is progressing and it’s become something we can enjoy rather than a source of guilt!’

Alison, owner of Farm Lane House, Self Catering Holiday apartments in Bembridge told us:
‘You have an excellent team working for you, hard working and very conscientious with what ever task they deal with”.