The GardenOwl Audits
Deep-dive diagnostics, design critiques, and visual master plans to solve your toughest landscape challenges.
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The 'Bulldozer Special': Why Your New Yard Needs More Than Just Sod
Starting with a dirt lot? Don't just lay grass. Learn why construction compaction kills new lawns and how to design outdoor rooms that add value.
The "Permanent Mulch" Trap: How to Fix a Yard Full of Crushed Brick
Inherited a yard full of red shards? It’s likely crushed brick mulch gone wrong. Here is how to scrape it out and restore your soil health.
Retaining Wall Bulging? Why That "Belly" Means It’s Time to Demo
Is your stone wall bowing out? Learn why a bulging retaining wall is a structural failure, how tree roots cause it, and why you must rebuild, not patch.
Fixing a Shady, Sloping Yard Without Creating a Swamp
Struggling with bare grass under trees and a muddy backyard slope? Learn how to turn a drainage problem into a beautiful shade garden with native plants.
Updating a Brick Facade: Why Your Front Door Needs to Be the 'Calm Anchor'
Updating a front door on a brick house? Learn why ornate glass dates your home and how to choose the right wood stain to brighten a recessed entry.
Adding a Front Porch to a Brick Ranch? Avoid the "Bowling Alley" Mistake
Planning a porch for a brick ranch? Learn why depth beats length, how to solve low eave heights with a reverse gable, and the right way to add stone veneer.