The GardenOwl Audits
Deep-dive diagnostics, design critiques, and visual master plans to solve your toughest landscape challenges.
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The $6,000 Mistake: Why Burying Wood in Concrete is a Death Sentence for Your Stairs
Is your contractor burying wood stringers in concrete? Learn why this common 'lazy fix' causes rapid rot and how to detail a stair landing correctly.
The "Bowling Alley" Mistake: How to Fix a Flat Backyard and Save Your Retaining Wall
Fixing a boxy backyard layout and choosing heat-proof subtropical plants for Penrith. Plus, why you must remove that Emerald Ficus immediately.
The "Ground-Level" Deck Trap: Why You Should Never Block Foundation Vents
Thinking of building a deck flush with your concrete patio? Learn why this ruins foundation vents and why a step-down paver system is the superior fix.
Fixing the 'Empty Bed' Syndrome: How to Balance a Lopsided Garden Plot
New garden bed looking sparse? Learn why 'polka dot' planting fails and how to fix visual weight issues using drifts, texture, and proper spacing.
How to Prep a Muddy Clay Yard for a Playground (Without Building a Swamp)
Stuck with a muddy clay pit before the playset arrives? Learn why you must stop digging, how to fix the drainage, and the right way to contain mulch.
The "Lifeboat" Method: How to Replace a Rotting Pond Without Killing Your Fish
Inherited a rotting pond? Don't just swap the water. Learn the landscape architect's "Lifeboat Method" to transfer fish, preserve bacteria, and level the base.