The GardenOwl Audits

Deep-dive diagnostics, design critiques, and visual master plans to solve your toughest landscape challenges.

RedditTop-Rated Landscape Contributor on Reddit
Curb Appeal

The 'White Box' Effect: How to Fix a Flat Facade Without Just Painting It

Is your white house floating on a sea of green? Learn how to add texture, balance a heavy garage, and fix 'foundationitis' with smart landscaping.

Read Story
Landscape Design

How to Fix the "Bowling Alley" Backyard: Design Ideas for Narrow Strips

Narrow backyards often suffer from the 'Bowling Alley' effect. Learn how to fix patchy grass, prune overgrown yuccas, and create a functional garden path.

Read Story
Sod Netting

Why Green Plastic Netting is Buried in Your Yard (And How to Remove It)

Found green mesh in your soil? It's likely old sod netting. Learn why it's there, why the grass died, and how to safely remove it without hurting your tree roots.

Read Story
Hardscaping

Why Weeds Eat Your Mulch Patio: Fixing Substrate Denial Syndrome

Tired of weeding your mulch patio? Learn why mulch fails as a floor, how to build a fire-safe gravel base, and how to buffer aggressive neighbor dogs safely.

Read Story
Exterior Design

Why Your Cabin Looks Like a Ranger Station (And How to Ground It)

Is your cabin floating on stilts? Learn why high-contrast paint schemes fail in the woods and how to ground your home with 'soft engineering' color theory.

Read Story
Leaf Management

Drowning in Leaves? Why Bagging Them Is a Huge Mistake (And What to Do Instead)

Don't strip your woodland yard! A Landscape Architect explains why removing leaves destroys soil health and how to fix the 'mess' with simple zoning.

Read Story