The GardenOwl Audits
Deep-dive diagnostics, design critiques, and visual master plans to solve your toughest landscape challenges.
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The "Brick Prison" Fix: How to Soften a Hardscape Courtyard Without Demolition
Stuck with a barren brick courtyard? Learn how to soften hardscape with vertical gardens, smart lighting, and container design—no jackhammer required.
Ugly Concrete Ledge Next to the Pool? Don't Remove It, Veneer It
Exposed concrete footers around pool rocks look unfinished. Learn why removal is dangerous and how to hide it with mortar-set river stones or spillover plants.
The 'Concrete Apron' Trap: How to Prep Your Side Yard on a Budget
Builder demanding a concrete perimeter for warranty? Don't panic. Learn how to install a crusher run path that stops weeds and preps for future concrete.
The "Green Curtain" Trick: How to Get Privacy on a Slope (Without Killing Your Japanese Maple)
Need privacy from a street above your yard? Don't remove your trees—layer them. Here is how to plant a fast-growing evergreen screen on a slope in Missouri.
Hiding Pool Equipment and Handling Lake Winds: A Side Yard Strategy
Fixing a side yard facing a lake? Learn how to screen ugly pool equipment, handle high winds, and fix a dangerous mulch volcano before it kills your tree.
The "Wet Door" Dilemma: Designing the Perfect Portico for a Cape Cod
Is rain rotting your front door threshold? Learn why a curved copper portico with knee braces is the high-value fix for Cape Cod entries.