The GardenOwl Audits
Deep-dive diagnostics, design critiques, and visual master plans to solve your toughest landscape challenges.
Top-Rated Landscape Contributor on Reddit
Drowning in Concrete: How to Give a Brick Box Serious Street Appeal
Is your driveway dominating your house? Learn how to soften hard edges, deepen garden beds, and use 'visual runways' to create instant curb appeal.
Don't Paint the Brick: How to Give a Boxy Red Ranch Real Cottage Charm
Thinking of painting your red brick house? Stop. Learn why masonry paint is a moisture trap and how to get that cottage look with smart landscaping instead.
Why Your Thujas Turned Brown (and the "Bulletproof" Alternatives You Need)
Thuja Smaragd trees turning brown is a common landscape tragedy. Learn why they fail, why they likely won't recover, and which tough natives to plant instead.
Modernizing a Red Brick Ranch: Why You Should Skip the Black Roof and Clay Trim
Updating a 60s ranch? Learn why a black metal roof might be a mistake, why clay trim looks muddy on red brick, and the foundation paint trick you need.
The "Moat" Mistake: How to Connect a High Door to a Pool Without Ruining Your Curb Appeal
Replacing a rotting deck with a patio? Learn why you need a masonry landing and how to design a curved walkway that doesn't look like a concrete moat.
The "Useless" Backyard Drain: Why Filling It In Is a Flooding Disaster Waiting to Happen
Thinking of removing an unconnected drain in your courtyard? Stop. Learn why 'dry wells' are essential for flood control and how to hide them without filling them in.