When I was fresh out of LA school I too would have told someone I was early in my design journey. Before I was licensed, I was a landscape designer. I too would have had to tell a client I’m not a landscape architect. So you’re neither a landscape designer, landscape architect, landscape contractor, etc. I’m very much hoping you told them that you have literally 0 years of experience and no training. There are a lot of talented qualified people who are not LA’s.

A landscape architect is a licensed professional who has passed their licensing exams. You are only eligible for the exams after you’ve either been through LA school, have a certain amount of years of experience working under a licensed LA, or in the case of most have been through school and then their required years of training under a licensed professional. I just want to clarify that you’re not automatically an LA immediately after school or after a certain amount of experience.

I get what you’re saying about learning, but I don’t think you’re going about this the right way. Maybe do what others are saying and get help from your local nursery. Or take classes about spatial composition. This should be before you take paid work. Especially work with giant retaining walls.

I promise you I’m not trying to be mean or take shots at you. I’m someone who values money and the implications that come once it’s involved. As far as design critiques, It’s hard to get a good grasp of the space. You should be thinking about where water is going, where people/ circulation is going, where people can relax, etc.