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About Sean J Murphy, LA
Expertise
I can answer almost any question related to design, installation, pricing of landscaping and hardscaping. I am not a horticulturist though so I can not answer questions on pests or diseases of plants. I also can answer questions related to pools, water features, ponds, lighting, grading, drainage, walls, patios, decks and much more.
Experience
I have been doing landscaping since I was 8 years old. My family owned a nursery in Florida when I was a teen and I owned and operated several lawn and landscape companies over the years. I have since completed 6 years of in Landscape Architecture at Purdue University and have a Bachelors degree in Landscape Architecture. I have been practicing professionally for 13 years in Atlanta and the south east US. I have worked for some of the best and most well know firms and personalities in landscaping and my work has won many awards. I have worked for the likes of Disney, the 1996 Olympic games, and REIT Post Properties(Atlanta, Dallas, Austin, NY, Tampa, Orlando). I know many of the plants in Georgia and Florida plus surrounding states. I have passed the Georgia Landscape Architects Licensure Exam and can legally call myself a Landscape Architect Lisc. # 001156
I am currently the Department Manager of the Planning and Landscape Architecture Department of a local Multi-Disciplinary firm and used to own and operate Amenity Architects LLC. you may preview our work at www.amenityarchitects.com. My new employer is SoutheasternEngineering, Inc. see www.seenginering.com
I am also part owner in the family business Murphy's Garden Art also see at www.murphysgardenart.com.
Organizations
American Society of Landscape Architects,
Keep Smyrna Beautiful,
ULI,
Smyrna Downtown Development Authority,
Smyrna Downtown Task Force,
Publications
Landscape Architect and Specifier News,
Atlanta Homes Magazine,
Landscape Architecture Magazine,
Coastal Living, Magazine
Education/Credentials
Pinellas County Center for the Arts 1984 - 1988,
Bachelors Degree in Landscape Architecture - Purdue University, 1994,
Mike Lynn Graphics Workshop 1994,
University of Georgia Wetland Delineation Certification 1995,
Post University Mini MBA 2000,
Edinburgh College of Art - 1 year co-op 1993,
Intern Smallwood Reynolds Stewart and Stewart Architects Atlanta1993,
Awards and Honors
ASLA Merit Award 1994 Mined Land Project IN,
ACI 1st Place for Hardscape Design / Installation 1999 Biltmore Atlanta.
Coastal Living Idea House Design 2005/2006.
South Eastern Flower Show People's Choice Award for best garden design,
Many more!!! too many to list here
Past/Present clients
Georgia Governor Roy Barnes,
The State of Georgia,
City of Powdersprings,
City of Stockbridge,
Post Properties,
Bayfair Homes,
John Willis Homes,
Pulty Homes,
Serenbe Development,
Mayor of Smyrna-Georgia Max Bacon,
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You are here: Experts > Home/Garden > Exterior Decorating > Landscaping & Design > backyard drainage
Expert: Sean J Murphy, LA - 9/5/2008
Question
QUESTION: I have a small backyard that has been rendered useless and ugly as a result of poor drainage and a crazy puppy. The back yard seems to be wet almost all of the time. It is a fairly flat back yard. Outside of the backyard is a common area that has a steep slope, that slopes down to my backyard. My next door neighbor has a drainage runoff that is part of the municipal system. I would like help to improve drainage, then create a grass alternative, perhaps some type of patio, pavers or the like. Grass is a lost cause due to my rambunctious dog. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
ANSWER: Its hard to answer such a broad question but here are a few tips.
First you need to try to identify the water source. IS it ground water coming through the ground year round regardless of rain or is it surface water or rain related. If its year round seepage there is not a lot you can do except divert the water through french drains which you should install perpendicular to your slope. If it is surface water and is coming off adjacent property you may be able to dig swales or place small berms (piles of dirt) to divert the water around your useable space. These swales and berms must be properly vegetated to hold up. Other options include creating depressed areas in your yard and then installing a small catch basin to pipe the water elsewhere. Your local landscape supply, home supply or nursery center will have flexible pipe and drains that will work for this. You can usually do a nice drain system for a couple hundred dollars in materials.
As for the puppy / dog issues. See (search) my numerous previous postings on Dog runs. Grass is definitely not an alternative for an active outdoor dog and neither are most plants. Mulch, pea gravel, and stone are good. Pavers may become saturated with urine if there is no where else for the dog to "go". I could not advise you on paving without knowing a great deal more about what other materials are on your home or in your yard. I would also need to know your budget as pavers and paving can be expensive. Pavers can also get quite hot, if the wrong color is chosen.
Best of Luck
Sean J Murphy
Director of Planning and Landscape Architecture
SEI, Inc.
www.seengineering.com
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: How do you feel about molded concrete walkways? (quikrete walkmaker) I want to make a long walk way in my backyard with mulch bed on each side. Would this be good for a dog?
I ultimately want my entire backyard to be walkways, planting beds and mulch beds with virtually no grass since my soil is so darn rocky and made of clay. Additionally, my back yard gets very little sun.
Answer
I have not myself used any molded concrete walkway forms, but the concept is solid. I don't see any problem with this except that it is labor intensive and buying some pieces of real stone would be much easier. Think about carrying 40 to 80lb concrete bags mixing, setting forms, pouring, and curing and then repeating this for every few feet. A small bag of concrete may only fill a couple of forms. Versus buying a half pallet of crab orchard stone or stone steppers or even simple concrete steppers and then laying them all in a few hours. Any of these would be fine for a dog.
Best of Luck.
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