The GardenOwl Audits
Deep-dive diagnostics, design critiques, and visual master plans to solve your toughest landscape challenges.
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The "Double-Slope" Trap: Fixing a Weedy Hillside for Caravan Storage
Don't dump gravel on a slope. Learn how to fix a compound gradient, banish Sheep Sorrel, and build a stable cut-and-fill parking pad.
The "Flipper Special" Fix: Why Sod is a Mistake for Your Denver Yard (And What to Do Instead)
Bought a 'blank slate' home in Denver? Don't rush to lay sod. Learn why xeriscaping works better for Zone 5b and how to fix the 'bowling alley' effect.
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.