One simple question that will make your landscape project 1000x better

Over the years I’ve had hundreds of clients come my way, asking for a patio or a kitchen or a retaining wall or new plantings or… whatever. Some have even considered materials and colors and finishes. No matter the excitement, it’s my job to slam … Continue readingOne simple question that will make your landscape project 1000x better

Guest Post! What it’s like for Ben Bowen of Ross NW Watergardens to be a landscape designer

Last week I wrote my post “What is it like to be a landscape designer?” and it occurred to me that every designer has come via a different path and does things a little bit differently. Literally every designer. Give the same problem to fifteen … Continue readingGuest Post! What it’s like for Ben Bowen of Ross NW Watergardens to be a landscape designer

It must be fall ‘cuz people are griping about leaf blowers

Ah, autumn. Crisp, cool nights, apple cider donuts at the farmers markets, the crunch of leaves underfoot… and the infernal, deafening, aggravating noise that accompanies every fall season. I refer, of course, to the din of people whining about leaf blowers. Incessantly. On blogs, on … Continue readingIt must be fall ‘cuz people are griping about leaf blowers

Your fall landscape is boring if you don’t know about these 8 plants

The great thing about this time of year is that the days are cooler (well mostly, it’s supposed to hit 87 today), the humidity drops, and we start to shake free from summer’s brutal grasp. The not-so-great thing is that most plants are done blooming … Continue readingYour fall landscape is boring if you don’t know about these 8 plants

Proper tree spacing and selection: what it is and why you need to know it

When I design a landscape there’s an order of operations that I always follow. Hardscape elements (decks, patios, walls, etc) get designed first, followed by trees, and then shrubs and perennials. The reason for this is simple: shrubs and perennials can be shifted relatively easily … Continue readingProper tree spacing and selection: what it is and why you need to know it