Question My yard needs help and I need to hire a designer. What should I/we consider before hiring a landscape designer or architect? Answer The design process is exciting but can also feel overwhelming when you’re just starting to figure things out. Winter is a great time to slow down and examine what it is…
Category: FAQ
Ask the Designer Series – Retaining Walls
Question I have a sloped backyard that is unusable in its current state. Should I put up a retaining wall to create a flat space or are there more options? Answer Being in the Pacific Northwest, we get some form of this question from almost every client. There are many different ways to tackle a…
The Landscape Design Process
Each designer has their own process and when choosing a landscape designer, it’s an important topic to ask about. This will help you find the best fit for your project, and you’ll know exactly what you’re going to get throughout the process. Initial Consultation After having a phone consultation to learn about our design process…
Fall Garden Maintenance
As the last couple of blooms appear in the garden, it’s a good time to work on a few fall garden tasks to keep your garden tidy and ready for winter. Pruning While we don’t want to do any substantial pruning until late winter/early spring, late fall is a good time to prune out any…
Low Maintenance Gardening
It’s rare that we find a client that doesn’t want a low maintenance garden. Many people think low maintenance means no maintenance, which is typically not the case in most gardens. In general, a low maintenance garden would be one that you wouldn’t need to fuss with more than 1-2 times a year although everyone’s…
Is a Greenhouse Right for You?
At this time of year, when we long to be out in our gardens, many may be thinking of adding a greenhouse. They are great for extending your growing season, starting seeds, and providing stability and flexibility for more tender plants. While greenhouses can be a beautiful addition to your garden, there are a few…
Landscaping Around Septic Lids
Whether you walk by them or have to stare at them from your kitchen window every day, septic lids can be an eye sore in an otherwise beautiful garden. While it’s important that you are able to access your septic lids, it doesn’t mean you have to look at those big, plastic circles all the…
Winter Water Feature Maintenance
There’s nothing more frustrating than a water feature that isn’t running properly. By following these simple care guidelines, you’ll be able to keep your water feature in tip-top shape throughout the winter. Remember to unplug your water feature before performing any maintenance to keep everyone safe. Planning to turn off your water feature in the…
Winter Garden Maintenance
The chill of winter is subsiding, and the signs of spring are emerging. Time to get the garden ready! The bulk of late winter garden maintenance lies in cleanup but there is quite a bit of pruning to be done as well. Late February into March is the perfect time to get your garden ready for spring. Don’t fret if you are a little late, jump out there when you can.
The designer’s role in the construction process
There are many great benefits to having your designer involved in the construction process. The main one is that they know your project better than anyone else and can provide direction, insight and answers to complex questions about the design that may come up during installation.