Deer-Proof Gardening: How We Built a Beautiful Garden That Deer Can’t Reach
If you garden in the North Georgia mountains, you know that there really isn’t such a thing as a completely deer-proof garden—unless you build very high walls or install an effective deer fence. As more rural areas are developed, deer continue to wander into neighborhoods looking for an easy meal. Our client in Cleveland, Georgia, wanted a formal vegetable and flower […]
Victory Gardens: What They Are and Why They Matter Today
One of our clients asked us to create a victory garden…the first question we asked was “what is a victory garden?” https://library.si.edu/exhibition/cultivating-americas-gardens/gardening-for-the-common-good Victory gardens became popular during World War I and World War II when citizens were encouraged to grow fruits, vegetables, and herbs at home to support the war effort. By producing food locally, […]
Should You Use Landscape Fabric? Pros, Cons, and Smarter Alternatives
What is Landscape Fabric: Landscape fabric—also known as weed barrier fabric—is a permeable material placed over soil to suppress weeds while allowing water and air to pass through. It’s commonly used in garden beds, under mulch, and beneath gravel or stone. At first glance, it seems like the perfect low-maintenance solution. But is it really […]
Low-Maintenance Landscape Trend: Pocket Meadows
As homeowners look for more sustainable, lower-maintenance landscapes, pocket meadows are becoming an increasingly popular design solution. A pocket meadow is a scaled-down meadow planting made primarily of ornamental grasses, native wildflowers, and pollinator-friendly perennials. Unlike formal gardens, pocket meadows embrace a more natural look while still being intentionally designed to fit residential settings. These […]
Extending a Front Porch Adds Comfort and Curb Appeal
The front of a home is more than just an entry point – it’s an opportunity. A well-designed sitting space off the front porch can elevate curb appeal, increase usable outdoor living space, and create a welcoming area that feels both intentional and inviting. Our clients had a second home in Dahlonega, GA, and when […]
Design Series 2: What is a Moon Garden?
In short, a moon garden is a planting design principle tailored to the evening and night hours rather than the daytime. Here’s a deep dive into the idea of moon gardens, how they work in the North Georgia region, and how you can bring one to life. Key Characteristics of a Moon Garden Designing Your […]
Reconstructing Poorly Designed Stone Edging
Our client in Cornelia, GA was unhappy with her existing walkway. She came to us for help with creating uniform size and color stone edging, and for it to be designed to lead directly to the front door. Using concrete to secure your stone edging is a great choice if you want a long-term maintenance-free […]
Design Series 1: Color in Shade Gardens
I want to talk a little about how to mix different colors in shade gardens, as well as how to keep the colors looking good even after the flowers fade. First, please check out this article from the online magazine, Horticulture: https://www.hortmag.com/using-metallic-hues-in-the-garden-and-containers?utm_medium=email&utm_source=HTM+-+NL+-+Weekly+Newsletter&oly_enc_id=7387J4209056J6X I like to combine the chartreuse hostas together with red & green shrubs. […]
How to Create an Edible Landscape (Without It Looking Like a Backyard Farm)
Look — we love a tidy yard as much as the next guy, but if we’re being honest, we also like our plants to do something. Shade’s great. Curb appeal. But if it grows food? Now you’re speaking our language. We’ve been landscaping for years, and one thing we’ve learned is that an edible landscape […]
We Brought Home a GALA Award!
Big Win! Our Team Takes Home a GALA Award We’ve got some exciting news to share — we recently took home a GALA (Georgia Landscape Awards) award for our project “Dahlonega Perennial Garden,” and we couldn’t be more proud! This project was all about blending beauty with purpose. The homeowners wanted to create a lawn-less […]
