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Landscaping & Design/Questions Answered by Expert Mark
| Subject | Date Asked |
| patio-maple tree roots | 11/25/2011 |
| Q: I'd like to put a small patio into an area that is adjacent to a huge maple. Some of the roots are ... A: Gravel will not make a good patio surface and it is not advisable to cut tree roots. Your options ... | |
| swampy area | 11/1/2011 |
| Q: I would like to make my swampy back area a yard again like it used to be. It is very wet during the ... A: I would suggest field drainage (a system of perforated pipes) perhaps combined with interception ... | |
| Retaining Wall in Sand | 8/27/2011 |
| Q: I am installing a ~6ft tall retaining wall in my backyard. The area where my house was built used ... A: Construct a caisson. This can be done with sheet or wood pilings. Drive the pilings into the sand ... | |
| driveway drainage | 8/23/2011 |
| Q: I have drainage from one side of the house running down my 100 foot asphalt driveway that slopes ... A: These are only approximate dimensions. I should have said stone up to 9 inches in dimension but the ... | |
| Landscape drainage | 8/22/2011 |
| Q: Recently purchased a home; the house is approximately 2 years old. This is our first summer in the ... A: The rock will not serve to drain water away and may in fact,impede the flow away from the house and ... | |
| driveway drainage | 8/18/2011 |
| Q: I have drainage from one side of the house running down my 100 foot asphalt driveway that slopes ... A: A stone structure to control erosion known as "rip rap" can be used. The stones should be a minimum ... | |
| landscaping design | 8/4/2011 |
| Q: I'm working on my landscaping around my front yard and side. I had a difficulty to choose the ... A: The following flowering perennials will tolerate conditions up to light shade: Rudbeckia (black ... | |
| draonage | 7/14/2011 |
| Q: I have a small area at the end of my property, where I have a large tree, shed and picnic table. I ... A: Replace the weeds with some type of ground cover or grass. Examples of ground cover and grass: ... | |
| leveling, drainage | 7/3/2011 |
| Q: Hey Mark, I have a couple of problems with my yard, i am hoping you have information to solve ... A: The best solution would be to regrade. You may need other drainage devices to support the grading. ... | |
| PLANT A TREE OVER AN OLD TREE STUMP | 6/21/2011 |
| Q: I LIVE IN MARYLAND AND HAD A CHERRY TREE REMOVED APPROXIMATE. 1YR AGO. I HAD THE STUMP GRIND DOWN 4" ... A: You should remove the entire stump and plant the crape myrtle in good soil. The stump will impede ... | |
| raised garden - made with 4x4x8 cedar | 6/13/2011 |
| Q: Oh dear, I guess I didn't make my self very clear. 4' high and 4' deep I would be accessing it from ... A: If you want to access a planting area from your deck you should use planting boxes no more than 18 ... | |
| raised garden - made with 4x4x8 cedar | 6/12/2011 |
| Q: I would love to make a raised garden attached to my deck. I am a 65 year old female, so I need ... A: If you are thinking about elevating the bed off the ground at a height of 4 feet,that will not be ... | |
| how to size the width of shrub/flower bed | 6/4/2011 |
| Q: I'm planning to landscape the whole length of the backyard with a long bed containing a combo of ... A: This is called the golden mean or golden ratio and it measures 0.618 of the total length but it can ... | |
| Sump pump drain area | 5/28/2011 |
| Q: We have a very wet area of grass around the discharge area of our new sump pump drain. The drain ... A: Landscaping around the drain will not eliminate the mud. You either need to relocate the discharge ... | |
| Water | 5/20/2011 |
| Q: I live on a farm and we have clay soil. Our paddocks get very muddy and the water just seems to lay ... A: Basically,you should perform the following,in order of importance: Add organic matter. Use plants ... | |
| Road bank landscape | 5/14/2011 |
| Q: I have a bank near the road that contains some juniper and lillies. Each Spring I spend money on ... A: If the slope is less than 45 degree you can cover it with cobbles (rip rap) of about 8 inches in ... | |
| hide a well head pipe | 5/11/2011 |
| Q: I have a well head pipe that sticks out about 16" out of the ground. What are some ideas to hide it ... A: Pile stones or cobbles around it. Mound soil around it and place some accent plants on the mound. ... | |
| natural area in clay soil | 5/3/2011 |
| Q: We just moved to Greensboro NC. We do not like yard work so want to naturalize an area of the back ... A: Add organic matter. You can get organic matter by growing cover crops on the site. Here is a list ... | |
| Red Apple Ice Plant | 4/25/2011 |
| Q: How do you get rid of weeds and various grasses that are invading the Red Apple Ice Plant A: In order of effectiveness,economy and simplicity,consider the following: 1) Mulch. 2) Weed barrier ... | |
| Deck paint color? | 4/25/2011 |
| Q: We have stained our deck for the last 3 years (since it was built), but I am thinking maybe painting ... A: Paint will start to peel in about 3 to 8 years so it wouldnt necessarily last longer than stain. ... | |
| Patio edge drainage | 4/24/2011 |
| Q: Between our patio & the curbing surrounding our lawn is a two foot wide space that currently has ... A: The best solution would be to regrade the slope toward the curb but if that is not possible than ... | |
| Property divider | 4/22/2011 |
| Q: We just built our home last yr. and of course it still needs work. We general contracted the whole ... A: I would suggest the following,used singly or in combination: Allee Trees Fence Wall Low Wall ... | |
| Back yard slope problem | 4/21/2011 |
| Q: Back yard slopes towards house but levels at edge of Patio, also above ground swimming pool in back ... A: Typically, sand and charcoal is used to filter the water and then a treatment of chlorine or ... | |
| Thuja Green Giant | 4/20/2011 |
| Q: I am redoing my backyard right now and I have a raised planter bed at the rear of my house and don't ... A: The spacing would depend on how dense you want the screening effect to be. I would consider 8 feet ... | |
| Back yard slope problem | 4/17/2011 |
| Q: Back yard slopes towards house but levels at edge of Patio, also above ground swimming pool in back ... A: Regrade the area at the house if possible. You do not have enough slope away from the house. To ... | |
| matching home brick front | 4/6/2011 |
| Q: I'm really struggling here. I have a rancher with half brick (red's,gray's) grey mortar, lower house ... A: The color would be completely subjective. Either a light or dark color or somewhere in between would ... | |
| Concrete mixed with dirt | 3/17/2011 |
| Q: I know this may sound weird but I volunteered to help my neighbor with a project and I need some ... A: I do not support poisoning the soil in any circumstances. There are other ways to do this then what ... | |
| Concrete mixed with dirt | 3/16/2011 |
| Q: I know this may sound weird but I volunteered to help my neighbor with a project and I need some ... A: It will also prevent her plants from growing. The high lime and salt content will kill any ... | |
| Stone border for raised flower bed | 3/15/2011 |
| Q: I'm planning a raised flower bed around our screen pool enclosure and would like to border the bed ... A: You have to determine how many cubic feet of stone you need. The stone is sold by weight but in what ... | |
| depth for grape trellis post | 3/13/2011 |
| Q: I bought 2x4 eight-foot posts for a grape trellis. I live in central california. How deep must ... A: The 2 by 4 pieces are not rated for ground contact. Anchor the posts to piers above ground. Your ... | |
| appropriate plants for east facing homes | 2/26/2011 |
| Q: I live in the Houston area. What shrubs/plants would be good for an east facing house? I like ... A: The yew will produce a red berry in winter but here are 2 more shrubs that produce flowers: ... | |
| appropriate plants for east facing homes | 2/21/2011 |
| Q: I live in the Houston area. What shrubs/plants would be good for an east facing house? I like ... A: The plants on the following list will tolerate an eastern exposure and have low water requirements: ... | |
| use for ground up willow stump | 1/15/2011 |
| Q: I have a lot of garden space, peach trees, grapes and raspberries along with misc flowering shrubs. ... A: Mulch in storage will begin to compost to some degree and in order to avoid pathogens,odors and ... | |
| use for ground up willow stump | 1/13/2011 |
| Q: I have a lot of garden space, peach trees, grapes and raspberries along with misc flowering shrubs. ... A: Mulch in storage will begin to compost to some degree and in order to avoid pathogens,odors and ... | |
| use for ground up willow stump | 12/29/2010 |
| Q: I have a lot of garden space, peach trees, grapes and raspberries along with misc flowering shrubs. ... A: Any organic matter will increase soil acidity. Willow mulch would not make the soil more acid than ... | |
| sourcing decomposed granite | 12/7/2010 |
| Q: Can you suggest a source for thoroughly decomposed and sifted granite in the Marietta / Atlanta ... A: I think your best bet would be to try a quarry. Good luck. Let me know if I can be of further help. ... | |
| Landscape fence | 11/29/2010 |
| Q: My name is Curtis. I own a house on the eastern (prairie) edge of Colorado Springs, Colo. The ... A: Here is a list of evergreen privacy hedge plants that are drought tolerant and adapted to a desert ... | |
| sq. ft | 10/28/2010 |
| Q: What's the best way to measure square ft. if the area is asymmetrical in shape. It has 9 sides. A: First,break the area up into polygons such as triangles and parallelograms. Then compute the area of ... | |
| Rocking a hillside | 10/15/2010 |
| Q: I have a steep driveway. On one side of the driveway (the down side) is a steep hillside that ... A: Placing stone or what is called "rip rap" will not be effective on a slope greater than 45 degrees. ... | |
| Redirecting rain water from the house | 9/10/2010 |
| Q: How can I slope my yard so the rain water will drain away from the house. It appears my home sits ... A: I would suggest building a swale around your house. The french drains may be carrying some water ... | |
| dying cedars | 9/8/2010 |
| Q: Greetings! We planted a row of 6' cedars along the rear of our property line this past May. They ... A: Concrete contains sodium hydroxide. Plants are very sensitive to any salt (sodium) and can be ... | |
| HIllside - Clay - Rocks | 9/5/2010 |
| Q: Behind my house is a hill that is fairly steep - you can't push a wheelbarrow up the hill or walk ... A: First,that hill looks pretty stripped of vegetation and so look into planting some shade ... | |
| Water accumulation on unistone | 8/13/2010 |
| Q: We have unistone between our pool and the house. When it rains, the water pools in this area. We ... A: First,if settlement of the pavers has occured,you might want to think about having them reset. ... | |
| what can be put in a landscaping easement | 8/7/2010 |
| Q: Can a storm water pipe with holes and a sock over the pipe be placed in a landscaping easement? A: You should contact the owner of the easement and request permission to drain the water. Permission ... | |
| Landscaping as a profession | 8/7/2010 |
| Q: Mark: I do not know if my questions are appropriate for this site, but it is information I need from ... A: As stated in my profile,I am not a landscaper. I only do design work,no actual landscaping. I am not ... | |
| planting a replacement tree | 8/3/2010 |
| Q: When replacing a huge oak tree on a gentle slope in Georgia, how far down must the stump be ground ... A: It would be desirable to remove the entire stump to eliminate the possibility of sprouts coming back ... | |
| French drain in winter | 8/3/2010 |
| Q: I live in New Brunswick, Canada and have a couple of drainage issues (only in the winter). I live ... A: I would suggest the idea of intercepting the water before it reaches the area. This can be done by ... | |
| Flower bed | 7/28/2010 |
| Q: I want to plant a flower bed. Do i have to remove the grass in the area i want to plant or can i ... A: Actually it would not be a good idea to plant the flowers immediately after working the grass into ... | |
| Need ideas | 7/10/2010 |
| Q: Mark My climate zone is 2A. My property and the neighbouring ones on my street all have a gentle ... A: I would first look into draining the water away to an outlet. If the outlet would be on city ... | |
| Italian cypress | 7/9/2010 |
| Q: I live in Foxboro, MA and would like to plant Italian Cypress trees as a buffer between my property ... A: You are located too far north for italian cypress. I would not recommend italian cypress for a ... | |
| trees near pool, deck, and driveway | 7/8/2010 |
| Q: I am hoping to plant some trees for shade near my above ground swimming pool. I have a deck around ... A: Below is a list of flowering and non-flowering evergreen street trees. Limiting yourself to ... | |
| retaining wall | 6/21/2010 |
| Q: I have a slight hill around 2-3 feet high at its peak, at the foot of the hill is a sidewalk that ... A: Place drainage gravel no larger than 3/4 inch at the face of the wall. Make the width about 2 feet ... | |
| Heavy Rains Wash Out Soil | 6/15/2010 |
| Q: Heavy Rains Wash Out Soil My back yard has a long wood fence. Behind the fence, my neighbor’s yard ... A: I do not believe that fill will prove to be of value as long as erosion is taking place. It would ... | |
| Heavy Rains Wash Out Soil | 6/14/2010 |
| Q: Heavy Rains Wash Out Soil My back yard has a long wood fence. Behind the fence, my neighbor’s yard ... A: If there is ongoing erosion,I do not think any drainage device would be a solution because it would ... | |
| Rock Quarry Patio | 6/14/2010 |
| Q: I saw that you answered some questions about rock quarry for a patio. I have a question concerning a ... A: Perhaps the binding agent added to the sand used failed or if a pre-mixed paving joint sand compound ... | |
| how to make clay soil more porous | 6/12/2010 |
| Q: our lawn is clay. we recently removed an old pool which left a layer of sand in the yard. i have ... A: Depending on how fine or coarse,sand has relatively good drainage properties. A good method to make ... | |
| Retaining wall | 6/11/2010 |
| Q: I am in need of help.I have an area behind my pool that is about 26'long and as far as how high the ... A: If you just want something to trap debri,a fence or wall would be more in order,not a heavy timber ... | |
| Jacaranda Trees | 6/9/2010 |
| Q: My mother-in-law lives in the Clovis/Fresno area. She is having a 75th birthday party and she ... A: There have been reports of this tree growing in the Fresno area but for each individual case it ... | |
| Garden Path Border Plants | 6/5/2010 |
| Q: Mark. Hope you're having a great weekend! We are located in Zone 5 and have a large shady garden ... A: Traditional plants for such a purpose would include: astilbe perrenial cornflower siberian ... | |
| type of shrubs | 5/22/2010 |
| Q: I wrote to you previously regarding having privacy in my backyard without too many trees. You ... A: Here is a list of privacy shrubs and trees: Shrubs: juniper spruce arborvitae privet holly ... | |
| River Rock Creekbed | 5/20/2010 |
| Q: I'm installing a river rock creekbed as a landscape feature, but that will also channel water during ... A: Do not place sand or gravel under the rock. The water will simply wash it back out. Sand and gravel ... | |
| poplar roots | 5/20/2010 |
| Q: Our neighbour planted a poplar tree five years ago. It has grown quickly and I can see suckers ... A: The roots can be removed. Use some type of manual cutting tool or use a stump grinder. A wire saw ... | |
| Drain pipe Cover | 5/20/2010 |
| Q: I have just replaced the underground pipe that my downspouts %26 gutters are attached to. It drains ... A: Concrete,metal and plastic garden art is available in the form of fountains and plaques that may ... | |
| Plants | 5/19/2010 |
| Q: I have an above ground pool. I am putting rocks around the pool, but would like to put some plants ... A: There have been no reports of chlorine in pool water harming plants. The chlorine level of the pool ... | |
| lawn drainage | 5/16/2010 |
| Q: I have had standing water issues as well as soggy areas every few years since I have owned my home. ... A: Perhaps the problem is that the outlet for the pipes is not extending past the groundwater. If the ... | |
| lawn drainage | 5/15/2010 |
| Q: I have had standing water issues as well as soggy areas every few years since I have owned my home. ... A: Perhaps the problem is that the outlet for the pipes is not extending past the groundwater. If the ... | |
| privacy without too many trees | 5/13/2010 |
| Q: I would like to know how can I give my backyard privacy without having too many trees? My backyard ... A: Think about taking out the trees and putting in a fence or wall or a trellis. You might even want to ... | |
| Grass | 5/4/2010 |
| Q: What type of grass is better for shade? Please advise. Thanks. A: First on the list would be fescue. This is a very shade tolerant and hardy grass. Also,there are ... | |
| small medium strip plants | 5/3/2010 |
| Q: The entry to our neighborhood has a median strip about 3 to 4 feet wide (I'm not sure how long but ... A: The visibility triangle applies to intersections. Perhaps I misunderstood and there is no ... | |
| small medium strip plants | 5/2/2010 |
| Q: The entry to our neighborhood has a median strip about 3 to 4 feet wide (I'm not sure how long but ... A: Use a visibility triangle. The apex is typically 50 feet from the intersection and then the sides of ... | |
| 6x6 Cedar Post - Structurally sound? | 4/29/2010 |
| Q: Mark: Good afternoon! I'm working on the design for a fence...and I've almost made up my mind. ... A: By allowing 1-3/4 inch for each 2 by 4 rail you will have a total of 2-1/2 inches of free space in ... | |
| Concrete retaining wall question | 4/22/2010 |
| Q: Mark, I need to build a small retaining wall on the lower side of my house. It'll be about two feet ... A: Materials you can use include plywood,masonite,bender board (redwood and plastic) and other forms of ... | |
| water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink. | 4/21/2010 |
| Q: 3 years ago I relocated to DC from the midwest. For a myriad of reasons, I hate my house and the ... A: French drains can be useful for intercepting water around the perimeter of a house and thus stop it ... | |
| Root Barriers | 4/7/2010 |
| Q: I have been told by a foundation repair company that the hollies planted near my foundation take ... A: I place no faith at all in root barriers. They do not have a proven track record and often in fact, ... | |
| landscaping | 4/7/2010 |
| Q: I am looking to install landscaping along the driveway side of my home. My driveway is stone and the ... A: A variety of materials could be used as a container for the shrubs,including concrete,brick,wood and ... | |
| Hollies | 4/5/2010 |
| Q: I have been told by a foundation repair company that the hollies planted near my foundation take ... A: Doesnt sound very likely that you could have enough hollies to match the water holding capacities of ... | |
| Raised flower bed next to garage | 4/1/2010 |
| Q: I would like to build a raised flower bed along the side of my garage where weeds love to grow. How ... A: Locating the bed a mimimum of 5 feet from the wall would be a good way to prevent water collecting ... | |
| Plants next to driveway | 3/30/2010 |
| Q: I would like to plant a line of some kind of bush or shrub or hedge or something on the north side ... A: I would not recommend that you plant shrubs directly beside the driveway. The shrubs will cause more ... | |
| Landscape around house | 3/28/2010 |
| Q: I have a bad smell in my basement that I believe is due to water seepage. I have been told that the ... A: I do not understand what you mean by "rock bed". Are you speaking of a drainage channel similar to ... | |
| Sand/soil against foundation | 3/24/2010 |
| Q: I need to raise the ground level around the foundation of my house, about 6-8", so that rain water ... A: The only weather restrictions on working with soil are frozen ground and overly wet ground. For the ... | |
| wet yard | 3/15/2010 |
| Q: At the back of my yard i have a small brook,my yard gets sun all day.When i cut the grass (mostly ... A: Sounds like you may have a marsh type of ground there. Consider using drainage pipe under the area. ... | |
| plants that absorb lots of water! | 3/13/2010 |
| Q: I live in zone 5 (Chicago) and have a back yard which floods in one area when the rain is heavy. ... A: It is not practical to use plants to drain an area. Drainage is done with permeable soil,retention ... | |
| Flooding | 3/11/2010 |
| Q: My backyard has a low area that repeatedly floods. Researching for solutions all suggest drainage ... A: The plastic drywells from the kits can be placed together in battery form. It would be a matter of ... | |
| Willow and Evergreen trees | 3/10/2010 |
| Q: Last year I had five blue spruces installed in the west part of my yard 15 feet from the property ... A: The weeping willow has a spread of 35 feet and reaches a mature height of 30 to 40 feet high. Other ... | |
| A mound in the yard | 3/9/2010 |
| Q: I have a mound that is about 9 ft. long in the center of my yard. It gradually rises about 6 inches ... A: I have a mound that is about 9 ft. long in the center of my yard. It gradually rises about 6 inches ... | |
| flooded yard | 3/8/2010 |
| Q: My house sits on about an acre. Behind my house is a wheat field (not being used now) that is ... A: The pipes would be one way to increase the effectiveness of the drainage ditches. They should only ... | |
| Jasmine vine caused damage to my fence | 3/8/2010 |
| Q: A neighbor has jasmine vines which have been allowed to overgrow their yard and overtake my fence. ... A: A neighbor has jasmine vines which have been allowed to overgrow their yard and overtake my fence. ... | |
| Colorado Blue Spruce Trimming | 3/1/2010 |
| Q: I have a Colorado Blue Spruce tree in my front yard and would like to trim it. However, instead of ... A: Pruning colorado blue spruce is not recommended. Regrowth will be impeded. Good luck. Let me know ... | |
| Red dirt and dogs | 2/28/2010 |
| Q: We have a doggy door on the house so the dogs are able to come in and out when they need to go ... A: The various asphalt pavings,which includes macadam and recycled asphalt,are in the lowest priced ... | |
| starting out | 2/26/2010 |
| Q: I would your advice on what type of education or training I need or should gain to be an effective ... A: One strong foundation for landscape design is a knowledge of drafting,both of the manual type and by ... | |
| garden trees | 2/23/2010 |
| Q: i am dividing a section of the garden but do not want to use a hedge or fence - approx 15 m. i want ... A: Here is a list of trees meeting your requirements: allee elm (good canopy tree,can be planted at ... | |
| Priceing on retaining walls and patios | 2/21/2010 |
| Q: I'm a landscaper. My question is how do i charge for retain walls and patios in the Hamilton NJ ... A: Basically,you need to take into account the cost of materials,labor,overhead and site conditions. ... | |
| Hardscaping | 2/18/2010 |
| Q: I live in the Hamilton NJ area. I am a lawn service. I am starting to do hardscaping. I need to know ... A: I would not make any cost estimates without drawings,produced by you or your client. With a ... | |
| Loose-laid paver patio | 2/9/2010 |
| Q: Mark, I am buiding a loose-laid paver patio in my house. I am going to start laying the base ... A: The materials you mention will work. Basically,for a sub base you should use an angular interlocking ... | |
| Slopy Backyard and Pony Wall | 1/25/2010 |
| Q: I just did a pre-sale. THe hosue is being built by the builder. The fondation was poured and I some ... A: Pony walls are used to reduce construction costs and they offer several advantages on hilly terrain. ... | |
| standing water | 1/25/2010 |
| Q: our neighbor has a plastic pipe across the yard with rocks over it. Now the pipe has come up and all ... A: Unless there is a strong reason why it is unavoidable for your neighbor to drain water onto your ... | |
| water against house | 1/20/2010 |
| Q: We have a problem where the dirt in the flower beds and along one wall the dirt level is higher than ... A: Your floor level should be a minimum of 1 foot above grade. Drainage would not be a solution. You ... | |
| steep bank | 1/15/2010 |
| Q: I have 9 steps along the north side of my house to the back deck.The area just north of the steps ... A: You may need a retaining wall there but judging from the pic,you may not need one. A solution may be ... | |
| Drainage with river rock | 1/11/2010 |
| Q: I live in Southern Ontario Canada. Recently we had an interlocking stone patio built in our ... A: I live in Southern Ontario Canada. Recently we had an interlocking stone patio built in our ... | |
| Main car Gate | 1/7/2010 |
| Q: what type of landscaper designs gates A: Your choice of a designer for a gate would depend on how high you want the quality of the gate to ... | |
| Underground spring in yard | 12/18/2009 |
| Q: I bought a house 8 years ago at the bottom of the subdivision. A spring seems to be coming up from ... A: You might consider digging a deep trench drain through the affected area. Water will then flow ... | |
| sump pump drainage | 11/14/2009 |
| Q: I have a house in which my sup pump will work constantly up until 1 week after a rainfall. I have ... A: A detention area for the sump discharge does not necessarily have to be on the ground surface. One ... | |
| sump pump drainage | 11/13/2009 |
| Q: I have a house in which my sup pump will work constantly up until 1 week after a rainfall. I have ... A: Sounds like the water may be seeping back into the ground and then into your basement again. A 2 ... | |
| design with native grasses | 11/4/2009 |
| Q: I am designing a Garden in the south west of england, my design must keep "in sync" with the ... A: For grass,I would suggest the following: English Rye Grass (lolium perenne). This is a hardy and ... | |
| Choice - Sunset Red or October Glory | 10/24/2009 |
| Q: Mark, I am an avid gardener and have found this site extremely helpful. I was researching October ... A: The male October Glory and the male Sunset Red do not produce samaras. Sunset Red tends to change ... | |
| lime stone | 10/19/2009 |
| Q: I live in NW Iowa and have an awesome patio on the south side of my house that was built up with ... A: The best cleaner to try would be a commercially prepared limestone cleaner. Use an alkaline or ... | |
| my crushed granite path turned into mud when compacting | 10/17/2009 |
| Q: I and a friend built a 100mm path thick of crushed granite, we done 3 stages. first stage we mixed ... A: The cement content (which should not exceed ten percent) should be mixed throughout the granite and ... | |
| Dwarf Japanese Maple | 10/14/2009 |
| Q: I have an eight year old Dwarf Japanese Maple tree that is the fine lacy type. In the fall it is ... A: You should have this tree evaluated for its value by personal inspection. The tree should be ... | |
| Jasmine vine caused damage to my fence | 10/12/2009 |
| Q: A neighbor has jasmine vines which have been allowed to overgrow their yard and overtake my fence. ... A: It is an established fact that vines can damage a fence in various ways,such as twining between the ... | |
| spotty lawn surreounded by redwoods | 10/9/2009 |
| Q: i live near sacramento, have had trouble getting my lawn to grow in the back for numerous years. ... A: I would suggest that if you want a true grass,to try fescue. This grass is very shade tolerant. ... | |
| Landscape blocks around a tree | 10/5/2009 |
| Q: Someone told me that you can't ring a tree with landscape blocks and fill it with soil for flowers ... A: You should absolutely not place soil over tree roots. This will smother the roots. Up to 4 inches of ... | |
| cemented rain gutter | 10/4/2009 |
| Q: My daughter had a concrete patio made. Instead of cutting the rain gutter (from roof down side of ... A: It is possible that water is backing straight up the downspout,overflowing onto the side of the ... | |
| Deer eating all my lilies and phlox | 10/3/2009 |
| Q: I have a garden in my backyard that backs up to a pond so we have tons of wildlife. Planting flowers ... A: The most effective deer deterent is a fence. A vertical deer fence needs to be at least 8 feet high. ... | |
| re grading a sloped residential lot | 9/25/2009 |
| Q: I live in PA and am looking to purchase a home that is a small 1300sf ranch home on a .61 acre lot. ... A: Construction cost for buildings range typically from 50 to 100 dollars per square foot;much would ... | |
| sod steps | 9/23/2009 |
| Q: I'm attempting to create flared steps made out of sod on a short slop in my landscape. {Sort of ... A: I will assume you mean the run as being the top point where you come off the 6 feet long step and ... | |
| Swimming Pool-Related Noise Mitigation | 9/23/2009 |
| Q: We are bothered by noise from a neighbor's gas-fired pool heater exhaust vents which point in our ... A: I would suggest some type of acoustic wall and/or an insulated enclosure for the heater.Walls can be ... | |
| rain water diversion-drainage | 9/23/2009 |
| Q: I buried 20' of 3" pvc to divert rain water to create a wet spot in south facing garden. Created a ... A: The pipe should also have a proper pitch to it. Perhaps the pitch is too shallow for the water to ... | |
| Landscape planting/design question | 9/15/2009 |
| Q: We have a planting area started in our retaining wall. Areas are 21’ and 31’ long, 4’ front to ... A: In my opinion the visual appeal would be fine,but the plants may be too crowded in such a narrow ... | |
| cheap privacy | 9/14/2009 |
| Q: any suggestions for cheap privacy for UP AND OVER a 6ft fence. we were thinking of cumping bamboo? ... A: Since you live in New York it may be difficult to find a bamboo cold hardy to your area. Im not ... | |
| hedge | 9/12/2009 |
| Q: I live in Chicago, IL. I would like a hedge to offer privacy and hide about 100 ft. of tru-link ... A: Since the run of shrubs would be so long,including more than one variety would be desirable to ... | |
| Drainage issues in backyard | 9/11/2009 |
| Q: I don't know if you can help me with this but my husband and I just bought a house that previously ... A: Concrete from the work should have been removed from the pool and the bottom should have been ... | |
| Driveway Drainage | 9/7/2009 |
| Q: I have 150 foot driveway and about 50 feet up the driveway is a center island which splits the ... A: Ditches would need an outlet to drain to and judging by the pic Im not sure if there is one. I do ... | |
| landscape design around a wishing well | 9/4/2009 |
| Q: I have a large flat area of grass surrounding a brick, square shaped wishing well. I need help ... A: Flower beds look good contained in irregular curves and that may be an appropriate shape for this ... | |
| Using Lava Rock in Flower Beds | 9/4/2009 |
| Q: I recently decided to put black lava rock in my flower beds to avoid cats from coming in and doing ... A: Lava rock tends to have sharp edges and that could be a problem. If this problem arises,clear the ... | |
| staining stone | 8/27/2009 |
| Q: i have made a sign by embedding small local stones (3/4-1") in concrete to read "Lake Marion" (a ... A: Try brick stain or an iron oxide paint on one of the stones to see what results are achieved. Brick ... | |
| Creating a natural boundary | 8/18/2009 |
| Q: I have a house in Sedona, Arizona (high desert) on a small lot -- where my dining room, kitchen, and ... A: Here is a list of evergreen privacy hedge plants that are drought tolerant and adapted to a desert ... | |
| flowering bushes | 8/17/2009 |
| Q: I was wondering what flowering bushes and perrenial flowers you would recogmend planting along with ... A: Here is a partial list of plants that would compliment your blue spruce and maple: Shrubs: Azalea. ... | |
| Tree Root Shielding | 8/17/2009 |
| Q: I have a triangular shaped flower garden about 15 feet off the southeast corner of my ranch house. ... A: A root barrier does not sound like a good idea. Constricting the root growth cannot be good for any ... | |
| retaining wall flower beds | 8/16/2009 |
| Q: I live in a subdivision, my backyard is extremely boring...I have a 26' x 15' paved patio behind the ... A: Really doesnt look like you would have much height to get a retaining wall against the house. ... | |
| Tree Root Shielding | 8/14/2009 |
| Q: I have a triangular shaped flower garden about 15 feet off the southeast corner of my ranch house. ... A: In my opinion,the tree would be too close to the sewer line. While the autumn maple has a smaller ... | |
| Paver Instalation | 7/20/2009 |
| Q: I live in MA. and recently installed pavers over my exiting concrete slab and stairs using SRW, a ... A: Glad to hear it worked out. A less time consuming method would have been the slurry method. With ... | |
| Pine trees | 7/16/2009 |
| Q: Please help, I have a 50' wall 60' pines (spruce? very tiny, hard needles) all that have been cut up ... A: Here is a list of shrubs that should meet your requirements: Juniper. Juniperus chinensis ... | |
| Drainage | 7/7/2009 |
| Q: Our yard has about a 3.5' drop over about 50 feet of space. We also have a high water table and the ... A: I would suggest installing drainage pipe at the low area. The size of the drainage pipe and the ... | |
| limestone as landscape rock | 7/7/2009 |
| Q: We recently started a project replacing our landscape bark with limestone and was told this will ... A: I do not think that the small amount of lime that may leach out of the mulch will affect your trees. ... | |
| limestone as landscape rock | 7/6/2009 |
| Q: We recently started a project replacing our landscape bark with limestone and was told this will ... A: Stone mulch absorbs heat and the surrounding soil will get somewhat warmer,but there does not seem ... | |
| pavers-bedding sand | 7/6/2009 |
| Q: I am installing a concrete brick walkway. I have done the excavating and installed 3" of compacted ... A: A 4 inch base would be better and you should have at least a 2 inch layer of sand. Use a coarse sand ... | |
| covering existing lawn with river rock | 7/4/2009 |
| Q: I have a very large spruce tree in my front yard. Since the grass around this tree is struggling to ... A: The smaller size rocks will have relatively less space between them than larger rocks and so less ... | |
| covering existing lawn with river rock | 7/4/2009 |
| Q: I have a very large spruce tree in my front yard. Since the grass around this tree is struggling to ... A: There is no need to remove the sod. The sod will retain the soil and prevent erosion. Use a fabric ... | |
| plant privacy | 6/14/2009 |
| Q: I live in a condo that is 2 levels. The upper level has a balcony/deck that is very close to my ... A: The following plants will provide screening and will meet your height requirements. These plants ... | |
| Paver Instalation | 6/12/2009 |
| Q: I live in MA. and recently installed pavers over my exiting concrete slab and stairs using SRW, a ... A: A dry mix swept into the joints will not obtain the hardness necessary to make it impermeable and ... | |
| retaining wall | 6/11/2009 |
| Q: We did a two retaining wall at the entrance of my driveway dont know what to put in it we ... A: Not knowing exactly what the space is being used for or what you may desire for the space,I can only ... | |
| Paver Instalation | 6/10/2009 |
| Q: I live in MA. and recently installed pavers over my exiting concrete slab and stairs using SRW, a ... A: You should not use sand or dust between the pavers. You should set the pavers in mortar. Setting ... | |
| Surface Drains | 6/5/2009 |
| Q: Mark- I just had surface drains installed in my property (catch basins with drain pipes that run to ... A: A catch basin insert (I do not know if they are made for residential basins) may work but it also ... | |
| Drainage with river rock | 5/28/2009 |
| Q: I live in Southern Ontario Canada. Recently we had an interlocking stone patio built in our ... A: Actually the fence boards being 2 inches above the soil still doesnt give them good protection ... | |
| Drainage with river rock | 5/28/2009 |
| Q: I live in Southern Ontario Canada. Recently we had an interlocking stone patio built in our ... A: I do not understand why you placed landscape cloth under the rocks. That will impede drainage. The ... | |
| A mound in the yard | 5/25/2009 |
| Q: I have a mound that is about 9 ft. long in the center of my yard. It gradually rises about 6 inches ... A: Ground cover can be an alternative to grass because it requires less maintenance. It does not ... | |
| A mound in the yard | 5/23/2009 |
| Q: I have a mound that is about 9 ft. long in the center of my yard. It gradually rises about 6 inches ... A: Consider planting ground cover on it. That will give it some visual appeal and make it look less ... | |
| tree ideas | 5/19/2009 |
| Q: I need a suggestion for a tree to plant in front of house facing west that is not too big. It is ... A: I would suggest Green Ash (fraxinus pennsylvanica). This tree is used as a street tree and so has a ... | |
| Re-graded for drainage - now what to landscape over it? | 5/11/2009 |
| Q: I recently improved the grade against the back of my house to reduce some leakage in my basement, by ... A: What you have done may solve your problem. Impermeable aprons are pretty good when alot of water is ... | |
| Re-graded for drainage - now what to landscape over it? | 5/11/2009 |
| Q: I recently improved the grade against the back of my house to reduce some leakage in my basement, by ... A: I would not recommend placing any kind of organic mulch near your house wall. Organic mulch can ... | |
| Norfolk Island Pine | 5/9/2009 |
| Q: I have a Norfolk island pine located in my back yard surrounded by a patio and two feet away from my ... A: At fifteen feet tall,two feet is much too close to the house for this tree to be. The root spread ... | |
| mulch | 4/23/2009 |
| Q: Every year I mulch the landscape and every year it all blows away. Is there a type of ground ivy or ... A: Here are some options: Pine straw mulch is highly resistant to wind. I have it in my own backyard ... | |
| fencing property | 4/20/2009 |
| Q: I need help on fencing .I have a large corner lot in a small NJ town and one side borders a 2 lane ... A: I would suggest some type of acoustic wall. The wall can be constructed of concrete,masonry or wood. ... | |
| building a raised bed against/close to a fence | 4/20/2009 |
| Q: I have a fenced in lawn and the fence encloses most of the lawn except a strip ~90 inches wide by ... A: Consider using an EPDM rubber sheet on the face of the fence that will be holding the soil. You will ... | |
| water | 4/13/2009 |
| Q: I just bought a house and have water that is standing in back yard. I think we have an underground ... A: Here are some courses of action you might be able to take: If the problem is groundwater,then ... | |
| Beautify concrete steps and landing | 4/10/2009 |
| Q: I hope you can help me with my question. At the entry to our home we have three concrete steps ... A: There are a number of ways to enhance the appearance of existing concrete. Methods include the ... | |
| weeds | 4/8/2009 |
| Q: I have shrubs that I planted in a rock garden and I put that weed screen on the bottom so weeds ... A: I would suggest that you weed by hand and use mulch and you might want to experiment with ... | |
| leveling and weed block | 4/5/2009 |
| Q: I am currently leveling off an area in my yard in preparation for a flagstone patio (12'x 15')with ... A: Do not place the weed barrier below the soil. Weeds will simply grow on top of the barrier. Lay the ... | |
| water drainage problem | 3/30/2009 |
| Q: We have just rented a home, and our only problem is that when it rains water pools in the center of ... A: Install a catch basin. This is a box with a grate over it. Its mounted at the low point of the area ... | |
| installing pressure treated fence posts in ground | 3/30/2009 |
| Q: Would like to install six foot privacy fence. I have installed several pressure treated posts in the ... A: Do not let the posts contact bare soil,by for instance,direct burial into the ground. Either mount ... | |
| Planting bushes/shrubs | 3/29/2009 |
| Q: How do you plant a shrub/bush that was purchased and is wrapped in burlap and tied with rope? Do you ... A: Remove the top one third of the burlap. Completely remove all non-biodegradeable material. Dig a ... | |
| Mulberry Trees | 3/25/2009 |
| Q: I have two giant fruitless Mulberry trees in my front yard. They are messy, but provide a lot of ... A: You might want to consider replacing those mulberrys. There are other trees such as mesquite that ... | |
| landscaping design | 3/25/2009 |
| Q: What type of bushes design would you suggest to cover up a ugly propane tank that is an eye sore? A: The shrubs on the following list have proven to be good for your purpose: Lilac(Syringa) Grows to 6 ... | |
| shrubs next to basement wall | 3/24/2009 |
| Q: I live in TN. I have a basement to my home. I don't know what types of shrubs to plant near my ... A: Here is a list of plants that do well as foundation plantings. Check to see if they will grow in ... | |
| flooded yard | 3/24/2009 |
| Q: My house sits on about an acre. Behind my house is a wheat field (not being used now) that is ... A: The perforated drainage pipe has holes on one side. The pipe is layed so that the holes are facing ... | |
| English Ivy | 3/22/2009 |
| Q: How far apart do I plant English Ivy so it can climb up a brick wall? Not from brick wall but side ... A: You really should reconsider planting English Ivy. This plant is much too vigorous for a wall plant. ... | |
| a problem | 3/12/2009 |
| Q: my friend wants to plant sod on his lawn.Its a square of a perimeter of 640 yds, so how many squared ... A: For a sod depth of 2 inches the cubic footage would be 55,296. The cost would be 22,118.40 dollars. ... | |
| Plant Beds on a wood deck | 3/9/2009 |
| Q: We'd like to build 2-3 plants beds on our enormous wood deck. Our backyard is well shaded by trees ... A: Keep air space between the bottom of the planters and the decking by supporting the planters on at ... | |
| flowers on berm | 3/9/2009 |
| Q: I have a troublesome berm. I want it to be vibrant with colorful plants, either perennials or ... A: As I mentioned before,consider using a low growing ground cover and use mulch. There is no way to ... | |
| flowers on berm | 3/8/2009 |
| Q: I have a troublesome berm. I want it to be vibrant with colorful plants, either perennials or ... A: A low growing ground cover may provide some control and mulch is a good weed control measure. You ... | |
| Redwood Trees In Palo Alto Ca. | 3/7/2009 |
| Q: I have three mature redwood trees in my front yard, and put river rock around them, to keep the ... A: The rock is not good for the tree roots and the weight of the rocks may also compact the soil around ... | |
| corner lot with too much grass | 3/6/2009 |
| Q: I have a raised ranch in MA. My home is on the bend of a street. so my land looks like a pie ... A: You might want to look into a rain harvesting system. This would reduce or eliminate the amount of ... | |
| Stacked stone wall | 3/4/2009 |
| Q: I live in a rural setting in a center hall colonial home. I am looking to create a front foundation ... A: Its more convenient to place the stone first. When the stone is placed first you can judge the ... | |
| What to add to driveway | 2/28/2009 |
| Q: I live in Michigan. We have a problem with flooding in our driveway. It is a dirt drive, about ... A: You might want to consider using soil cement. This paving is formed by mixing portland cement with ... | |
| Raising garden | 2/27/2009 |
| Q: I'm new at gardening, and attempted to build a low wall for my garden with rough flat pieces of ... A: You cannot add two feet of soil to your existing plants. That would smother the roots and kill the ... | |
| Raising garden | 2/26/2009 |
| Q: I'm new at gardening, and attempted to build a low wall for my garden with rough flat pieces of ... A: If you are going to raise the soil level by 2 feet,then you will have to remove the existing plants ... | |
| mulch | 2/26/2009 |
| Q: I've heard that pine bark and redwood mulch next to a house attracts insects. If this is true, what ... A: I would not use any type of mulch near the house. It appears that any type of mulch used near the ... | |
| low retaining wall | 2/26/2009 |
| Q: My house is on a small city lot (37.5x100). The house probably sits about 8 feet above the street. ... A: Use heavy railroad tie type timbers,at least 8" X 8". Do not use "trex" and do not use any wood in ... | |
| Drainage Ditch | 2/24/2009 |
| Q: My husband and I are trying to sell our house. We have a drainage ditch that runs through our back ... A: I would suggest ornamental grass. These grasses range from 2 feet tall,up to 16 feet in height and ... | |
| new patio and snow | 2/13/2009 |
| Q: I put in a 16/20 brickpaver patio this past summer and it came out real nice.However the syracuse ... A: Sounds like frost heave (when water freezes under the surface of the paving and then expands,causing ... | |
| Puddles on the sides of the house | 2/10/2009 |
| Q: Whenever we get heavy rains (which is about 4x year only :)), I notice that on certain sides of our ... A: I would suggest installing a sheet of heavy plastic held down with concrete ... | |
| Yard drainage | 2/8/2009 |
| Q: My dad's house has a breezeway & garage at one end that sits lower than the rest of the house. For ... A: Yes,the basin has to be installed under the blacktop,but if you use a one cubic foot basin that is ... | |
| Yard drainage | 2/8/2009 |
| Q: My dad's house has a breezeway & garage at one end that sits lower than the rest of the house. For ... A: Install a catch basin in front of the garage. This is a box (typically made of plastic) with outlet ... | |
| Small decorative tree | 2/5/2009 |
| Q: I am looking for a flowering tree to plant in my front yard in western (but not coastal Oregon). I ... A: Here are several species of dogwood that would fit your requirements: Japanese Cornelian Cherry ... | |
| Landscaping | 2/2/2009 |
| Q: We have a small formal garden in the backyard. There is a fountain that is in front of a brick wall ... A: I would suggest a wall trellis using the plants listed in the table I have included instead of the ... | |
| Small Dog Resistant Front Yard Ideas | 1/24/2009 |
| Q: We reside in Northern California where summer highs can reach 100 and winter lows dip into the 40s; ... A: I would suggest a fenced dog run. The fence can be either chain link or solid wood,depending on ... | |
| Trees Suitable for Garden Wall | 12/18/2008 |
| Q: I am designing a very large rectangular garden 100 meters x 40 meters. I want to plant trees around ... A: For a windbreak use a combination of evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs. On the side of the ... | |
| Wooden fence rail length | 12/9/2008 |
| Q: Is there a rule-of-thumb for rail length for a 2-rail post-and-rail wood fence? Rails of my ... A: The main problem with using only two rails and with using long rails is warpage. Longer rails tend ... | |
| slab vs. basement in michigan | 12/5/2008 |
| Q: we're considering purchasing a foreclosed property in michigan. It is well/septic. The concern isn't ... A: The water table fluctuates seasonally and can vary from site to site. The county tables are very ... | |
| need a fast growing bush | 11/24/2008 |
| Q: I Have 2 windows at the end of my house facing west. Sun in the afternoon is horribly hot. I'm in ... A: I would suggest crape myrtle ( Lagerstroemia). This is a tree like deciduous (sheds leaves in fall) ... | |
| Drainage Issues | 11/23/2008 |
| Q: We have a big problem and are not sure where to go for help. During the fall, winter and spring ... A: Drywells sound like they might be useful in this situation. The drywells may require pumping. The ... | |
| securing R.R. ties used in a retaining wall | 11/23/2008 |
| Q: I have started to build a retaining wall and the highest part will be about 6' high. It is now only ... A: This is why a do it yourselfer should never construct a retaining wall over 4 feet high. Any wall ... | |
| flooded yard | 11/18/2008 |
| Q: My house sits on about an acre. Behind my house is a wheat field (not being used now) that is ... A: You need to install drainage ditches. You should have a peculation test (test to measure at what ... | |
| English Ivy | 11/12/2008 |
| Q: Can English Ivy kill a tree if the ivy grows up the tree? I live in Northwest Arkansas and was told ... A: Opinions are divided as to whether english ivy can kill a tree,but english ivy can cause structural ... | |
| patio | 11/10/2008 |
| Q: I just purchased a house at which the previous owner installed slate around the trees and plant ... A: Using the slate you already have sounds like an excellent idea. slate is best layed on a mortar ... | |
| Saga Palms | 11/10/2008 |
| Q: We just bought two Saga palms in gallon containers. We live in Tempe/Phoenix. I would like to ... A: The sago palm is not a true palm. It is a cone bearing fern. Full sun is best,but it can ... | |
| rock patio over a brick paver patio | 10/22/2008 |
| Q: What prepartion do I need to do & how do I do it: I have a brick paver patio & want to install some ... A: I would suggest you consider installing a FIN drain under the rock but Im not sure if you would be ... | |
| Weeds in Rock yard? | 10/19/2008 |
| Q: I hope you can help. I had a hard time finding the right category to ask in. We just bought a ... A: There are numerous kinds of mulch materials you could use such as wood chips,pine needles,peanut ... | |
| help with design for walkway | 10/18/2008 |
| Q: http://www.picturehosting.com/gallery.php?u=beacu&g=entrance-to-basement I have pictures of this in ... A: I would recommend a segmental block retaining wall. These blocks are made of solid concrete and ... | |
| Sidewalk Slope | 10/16/2008 |
| Q: I have a new sidewalk & steps going down a hill. The plan called for "Steps = 4'6" rise approx. ... A: I could tell alot more from the plan,but this side walk looks slipppery and what is up with the ... | |
| Sidewalk Slope | 10/16/2008 |
| Q: I have a new sidewalk & steps going down a hill. The plan called for "Steps = 4'6" rise approx. ... A: Perhaps you could take out the side walk and install steps at the top of the hill. You did not say ... | |
| Patio over V-Shaped Back yard | 10/8/2008 |
| Q: Sir, recently i moved to new house. However the builder did not give good back yard. There slop away ... A: Judging from the photo,this site looks relatively flat. You could use pavers or concrete. give the ... | |
| Red Apple ground cover | 10/5/2008 |
| Q: I have been told that if you p0lant red apple ground cover on banks that you can expect it to only ... A: I am not very familiar with the ice plant species. As a group they are called ice plants but this ... | |
| patio/walkway tile | 10/4/2008 |
| Q: We are plannig on leveling our backyard and adding a patio and walkway. We have three small ... A: Both tile types are slip resistant. Porcelin is more durable than saltillo. Saltillo has a ... | |
| Red Apple ground cover | 10/4/2008 |
| Q: I have been told that if you p0lant red apple ground cover on banks that you can expect it to only ... A: Twelve years is a long life span for ground cover and yes,if you want ground cover of this type,you ... | |
| planting around trees | 9/30/2008 |
| Q: We have an established willow tree and would like to plant some annuals or perrenials around it. ... A: Willow tree roots go out a long way,so you cant avoid the roots. Any drought and shade tolerant ... | |
| steepness of berm | 9/28/2008 |
| Q: We are constructing a concrete retainer wall for a fire pit area in our yard, the walls are 48" tall ... A: The steepness of the berm should not exceed the angle of repose of the soil. The angle of ... | |
| walkway | 9/28/2008 |
| Q: I have a blacktop walkway in my yard. I would like to cover it with brick. Could I cover it with a ... A: A FIN drain installed under the sand would allow you to install the bricks over the blacktop while ... | |
| Bedding sand type for patio pavers | 9/14/2008 |
| Q: We are DIY homeowners installing a paver patio using manufactured stone pavers ranging from 12x12 to ... A: There is a good chance that the masonry sand you have layed under the pavers will not drain ... | |
| Sloped Lake Lot | 9/12/2008 |
| Q: Mark, We live in central Alabama and bought a lake cabin for summer fun. The lot was overgrown ... A: Doesnt sound like a BobCat could be used on a slope that steep. Some type of hand held brush ... | |
Landscaping & Design
Answers by Expert:
Mark
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
Design of landscape structures and design of planting arrangements in the landscape. I usually do not answer questions of a horticultural nature or about growing plants or gardening unless they are related to design. I will answer these questions at my discretion. I will answer maintenance questions at my discretion,usually when they are related to design. I am a landscape designer. I am not a contractor or a gardener. Although I will describe how something is built I do not provide detailed installation or construction instructions. Here are example categories of problems I can help you with: Design of residential walks,low walls,low retaining walls,fences,drainage systems,arbors,plant selection,xeriscapes (low water use landscapes),rain garden design,rain water harvesting,permeable paving,sustainable drainage. No advise on an architectural or engineering level. I DO NOT PERFORM ACTUAL DESIGN WORK THROUGH THIS SITE. I only provide suggestions and advice. I am a skilled draftsman and can advise you about the kind of drawings,permits and construction documents you may need for your landscape project. Any landscape project should be layed out on a drawing but larger projects in particular,that may be contracted out,should have drawings and specifications for cost and quantity estimates and for competitive bids. A drawing and specifications will also become part of any contract made with a contractor and enhances the clients protection. A landscape design can make the project run more smoothly and save money on construction costs. Many contractors appreciate having a plan provided to them by the clients designer. This makes their job easier and gives you a convenient "template" to present to them. Mark Harshman http://www.mahdrafting.com Email: mark@mahdrafting.com http://www.scribd.com/markscrib47 http://www.allexperts.com/ep/724-104627/Landscaping-Design/Mark.htm
Experience
Landscape concept plan for a 30,000 square feet housing site. Involved site recon by pace measurements and photographs and a site analysis and a site analysis report and recommendations and a preliminary cost estimate. Design elements included canopy trees,shrub cover,accent flowers,trash receptacles,benches and planters.
Landscape concept plan for a 7,000 square feet site for a community center. Involved site recon by tape measurements and photographs,a site analysis and the creation of 3 conceptual designs for the site.
Work was done through a local professional design center. Design elements included
tree garden,playground,sitting area,lawn,cooking area,lighting and concrete and brick paving.
Landscape concept plan for a 3,000 square feet housing site. Involved site recon by tape measurements and photographs and a site analysis.
Concluded in 3 concept designs for the site,shown at a formal presentation,a site analysis and recommendations. Work was done through a community volunteer program. Design elements included decks,a playground and fencing.
Briefly as draftsman for landscape designer/gardener.
Conceptual landscape design for residence. Involved site recon by tape and pace measurements and site analysis. Design included covered patio area,ground cover and flower beds.
Two years experience as draftsman for transportation department in engineering firm and for engineering consultants to phone company. Duties consisted of plotting topography.
Survey crew member. General assistant to surveyor. Work was done for U.S. Army and County Highway Department. No instrument work. Duties included tape measurement,holding graduated survey rod and plumb bob for sighting and clearing brush.
Marketed Landscape Design Services. Brochure writing,promotional material and marketing graphics.
Education/Credentials
Course in Computer Aided Drafting. 700 hours in AutoCad 2000. 700 hours to date on AutoCad Light 2000.
Certificate in Manual Drafting. 1200 hours drafting time.
Course in Civil Engineering Technology. (One Semester)
Awards and Honors
From Civil Engineer:
I am very impressed with your work and with the obvious thought you have put into the marketing of your venture. It was especially good to see a print of that job we discussed on the phone. I wish you much luck with the venture as I do with your plans for school. Im darn proud of you buddy. And by the way,when I get my license,maybe you will consider me for a consulting job down the road. I hope to get together with Rick sometime soon and I would really like to show him your stuff if its ok with you. From all these questions you ask I get the feeling that you are genuinely interested and have put alot of thought into the idea and process of landscape architecture and if you could possibly afford the cost I would urge you to take some classes in the areas you are most interested in. The subject is not so simple as it appears,mixing science and engineering with art and a certain amount of religion to create a comfortable and pleasing balance between man and nature. A thoughtful soul like yours can do this but it can be a lifes work getting it right.
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