Landscaping & Design/Removing grass

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Expert: Sean J Murphy, LA - 6/16/2009


Question
I want to replace large areas of grass with 1" river rock. Do I have to remove all the grass first, and what would be the easiest way to do that. Also what should I use under the rock, weed block of black plastic?

Answer
The easiest way would be with a large machine like a skid steer loader (bobcat) with a 1/2 yard bucket on the front. But if you don't have one of those, then spray the grass with an herbicide like round-up first and then till it in with a walk behind roto-tiller. (you can rent both machines at local tool rental) Or if you are not up for that, just cover the dead grass directly. I personally hate plastic under rocks because it only works for a year. Then the small bits and pieces of organic debris that blow in the wind end up between your rocks and ON TOP Of the plastic. This leads to soil capable of supporting weeds very quickly. The weeds then find little holes made by the rocks and grow thru the plastic. So two years from now you go to pull out a weed and up comes a bunch of plastic. Yuck! Not to mention the plastic stops water from getting to your soil which is important for health of your yard and the environment.

Good Luck.
Sean J Murphy
www.amenityarchitects.com

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Sean J Murphy, LA

Expertise

I can answer almost any question related to design, installation, general pricing of landscaping and hardscaping. I can also answer questions related to pools, water features, ponds, lighting, grading, drainage, walls, patios, decks and much more. However, I am not a horticulturist nor an entomologist, so I usually cannot answer questions on pests or diseases of plants.

Experience

I have been working in landscaping since I was 8 years old when I started mowing lawns for neighbors. 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 am a registered Landscape Architect in Georgia. I have been practicing professionally for 19 years all over the United States (Primarily though in Georgia, Florida, and the Caribbean Islands). I have worked for some of the best and most well know firms and personalities in landscaping and my work has been featured in the press and on TV. I was a featured Landscape Architect on HGTV's Landscaper's Challenge in the episode titled 'Field of Dreams'. My works have won awards including the ULI's inaugural sustainability award and many others. I have worked for the likes of Disney, the 1996 Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games, REIT Post Properties(Atlanta, Dallas, Austin, NY, Tampa, Orlando), major builders like Pulte and Ryland Homes as well as many famous people including Georgia's Governor Roy Barnes. 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 Director of Design of a local Planning and Landscape Architecture firm and used to own and operate Amenity Architects LLC. You may see more detail at my personal website http://www.seanjmurphy.com. I am also the webmaster and director of content for the well respected landscape blog at http://amenityarchitects.com

Organizations
American Society of Landscape Architects, International Society of Arborists, Urban Land Institute, City of Smyrna Downtown Development Authority, City of Smyrna Downtown Task Force, City of Smyrna Urban Design Commission, City of Smyrna Economic Advisory Committee, Keep Smyrna Beautiful, Board Member Smyrna Community Garden

Publications
Landscape Architect and Specifier News, Atlanta Homes Magazine, Peach 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, ISA Certified Arborist 2009

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, Town Landscape Architect for Serenbe Community the winner of 2009 Inaugural Sustainability Award. Several Grand Awards from MALTA for landscape projects Many more...too many to list.

Past/Present Clients
Disney Imagineers (while employed by others), Georgia Governor Roy Barnes, The State of Georgia, City of Suwanee Ga, City of Norcross Ga, City of Powdersprings Ga, City of Stockbridge GA, City of Sandy Springs Ga, Post Properties, Bayfair Homes, John Willis Homes, Pulte Homes, Serenbe Development, Mayor of Smyrna-Georgia Max Bacon, Sottish Rite Children's Hospital Farmer D Organics

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