Garden consultancy
Creating wildlife-rich, low-maintenance gardens in Cumbria that are relaxed, abundant, and beautiful.
Garden consultancy
Creating wildlife-rich, low-maintenance gardens in Cumbria that are relaxed, abundant, and beautiful.
About Close To The Earth
Creating thriving spaces
Whether your garden is new, has become overgrown, or simply needs fresh ideas, I offer guidance and ongoing support to help gradually shape your outdoor space so it can be enjoyed throughout the seasons.
My approach focuses on creating gardens that are:
- relaxed rather than formal
- abundant rather than minimal
- layered, seasonal, and full of life
- rich in flowers, herbs, and pollinator-friendly plants
- designed to support birds, insects, and biodiversity
- practical, manageable, and deeply connected to nature
Rather than highly manicured spaces, these gardens evolve naturally over time — creating a sense of balance between people, wildlife, and the surrounding landscape.
This work is rooted in a deep respect for nature and the belief that gardens should support both people and the wider ecosystem.
Whether you have a small garden or a larger piece of land, I can work alongside you to make the process feel simple, enjoyable, and rewarding while gently increasing biodiversity and helping you reconnect with nature in your own space.
Clients often tell me they feel more confident in their garden, notice more wildlife returning, and begin to enjoy their outdoor space in a completely new way.
If you’re ready to create a garden that truly works with nature, I’d love to hear from you.
Bee kind
Close To The Earth - Wildlife friendly gardening
Close To The Earth is 100% chemical free and employs regenerative gardening methods that mimic nature, fostering biodiversity and creating habitats for all throughout the seasons. This approach results in a low-maintenance garden that nurtures you, reduces costs, and reconnects you with nature—serving as a natural remedy for stress and anxiety.
Close To The Earth Services
Consultancy
Public Speaking
Consultancy
Working closely with you and the natural world, we will co-create your ideal space - a beautiful and functional garden to meet your specific needs.
Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to rejuvenate your existing garden, we'll bring your vision (or help you create one) to life with clear guidance and expertise.
1-1 tuition
Public Speaking
Consultancy
Want to know more about gardening in the privacy and safety of your own garden, then please get in touch for 1-1 gardening tuition.
Or maybe you need motivation and company to garden. Elizabeth can work alongside you.
Public Speaking
Public Speaking
Public Speaking
New talks for 2026 include
- Gardening in a Changing Environment
- A Wealth of Weeds
- Planting for pollinators
These are perfect to follow on from
- Regenerative Gardening
- Attracting Wildlife to a New Build Garden
- Wildlife&Well-Being gardening
Growing Native
Pond installation
Public Speaking
We can assist with wildflower meadow creation, vegetable and fruit growing, and creating greater diversity on existing grassland or lawn with a perennial approach.
Pond installation
Pond installation
Pond installation
Water is the source of all life. We can install a bespoke pond and plant it up with native and wildlife friendly plants. Everyone says they wish they had been bolder and designed a bigger pond. Side-by-side can implement your vision.
Regenerative
Pond installation
Pond installation
We're preparing your garden for the changing seasons, using techniques to create a resilient space, so you can sit back and enjoy the beauty of your garden year-round. This is an organic, sustainable, recycling approach to maximise biodiversity and soil health.
Reconnect with yourself at Close To The Earth
Training
Close to the Earth was founded by Elizabeth Woodcock (MCIHort) in 2011 while living off-grid in Portugal with her daughter. During this time, she created gardens and helped establish a community kindergarten, while developing her vision of helping people reconnect with their land through thoughtful, sustainable gardening practices that support biodiversity and wildlife.
After returning to her birthplace in Cumbria in 2016, Elizabeth established Close to the Earth, continuing her work designing and developing nature-connected, wildlife-friendly gardens and outdoor spaces. For individual projects, she also collaborates with trusted colleagues where specialist expertise is beneficial.
Elizabeth’s training and experience include:
- Full Member of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture (MCIHort)
- Certificate in Social & Therapeutic Horticulture – Thrive
- RHS Horticulture – Newton Rigg College
- MA (Cert) Environmental Values – UCLAN
- Master Composter – Garden Organic
- Regenerative Practices Training – Savory Institute
- Naturalistic Garden Design – Dan Pearson
- Forest Gardening – Agroforestry Research Trust (Martin Crawford)
- Living and learning on permaculture projects across Europe
- Over 15 years of gardening experience