The GardenOwl Audits
Deep-dive diagnostics, design critiques, and visual master plans to solve your toughest landscape challenges.
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Ripping Out Plastic Grass in a Shady UK Garden: How to Turn It Into a Woodland Floor
Hate your plastic lawn in a dark, damp UK garden? Here’s how we turned one soggy fake‑turf rectangle into a layered woodland haven of moss, ferns and beds.
Narrow Side Return in Coastal Australia: How to Turn a Dead End Into a Native Green Screen
Stuck with a narrow, shady side path and ugly pipes? See how to use slim Aussie natives, better soil, and smart spacing to make it lush and low‑care.
How to Protect Ugly Water Meters From Mowers (and Make Them Look Designed on Purpose)
Tired of mowers smashing your water meters? See how we regraded, reshaped, and rocked this awkward square into a clean, mower-proof landscape feature.
How Much Rock You Can Leave Under a New Lawn (Without Killing the Grass)
Tearing out an old gravel strip for a simple dog‑potty lawn? Here’s how deep you actually need to dig, how much rock can stay, and how to fix that low drain.
Full‑Sun Pool in Southeast Texas: How to Get Real Shade and Privacy Without Trashing the Water
Southeast Texas pool yard in brutal sun? Here’s a case study on using small trees, evergreen screening, and tough tropicals to cool it down and hide the fence.
Turning a Beige Stucco Box into a Cozy Cottage: Paint & Plant Fixes That Actually Work
How to repaint a flat stucco exterior for true cottage “grandma house” charm, plus the simple hedge and planting changes that sell the look from the street.