Ever since starting my landscape design firm I've had an opportunity to meet with a lot of people, look at a lot of yards, and have a lot of conversations about how they want to … [Read more...]
Understanding Flagstone: Sawcut, Thermaled, and Chiseled Edges
You've decided to use flagstone in the landscape. Good call! You may not be done making decisions, however. If the stone will be used in an application where you see the edge of … [Read more...]
Why I Don’t Use Sweetgum Trees
Every once in a while I'll look over a drawing from another designer and see sweetgum trees in the plant legend. If they're near the house or in a commercial setting, I usually … [Read more...]
Landscape Design for Small Yards
I like my big projects, but there's also something really rewarding about taking a "normal" sized yard and making it something special. I just stopped in at a year-old landscape … [Read more...]
Getting the Most Value for your Landscape Dollar
If you're like everyone else, you want to improve your home and garden, but you also want to get the most value for your dollar. That's something I help my clients with, so I put … [Read more...]
All-Too-Common Gardening Mistakes
Landscaping, gardening, whatever you want to call it- it's pretty forgiving. I'm of the school of thought that you can't actually have flowers that clash with one another, and if … [Read more...]
Proper Paver Patio Construction
Concrete pavers have come a long way in the last decade. Back then, they were essentially a compromise product: if the client wanted a patio and didn't want a concrete slab, but … [Read more...]
Retaining Walls- Always Needed?
I've been conversing with a new landscape designer in Ohio, and sharing with him some of my thoughts and work processes. He asked me how to determine when a retaining wall is … [Read more...]