The GardenOwl Audits

Deep-dive diagnostics, design critiques, and visual master plans to solve your toughest landscape challenges.

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Hardscape Repair

The "Band-Aid" Fix: Why Glued Metal Fails on Concrete Transitions (and How to Cap It Right)

Stop! Don't glue stainless steel to that crumbling concrete curb. Learn why thermal expansion kills adhesives and how to install a stone threshold cap instead.

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Curb Appeal

Why Your White Trim Looks Cheap on Red Brick (And Why the Shrubs Have to Go)

Is your red brick house feeling 'blah'? Learn why stark white trim fails on aged masonry and why your overgrown hedges are hiding your home's best features.

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Hardscaping

Metal vs. Wood Pergolas: How to Fix the 'Industrial Clash' on a Mediterranean Home

Installing a modern metal pergola on a stucco home can look jarring. Learn how to soften the industrial look with vines, pots, and smart engineering.

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Curb Appeal

Why White Garage Doors Kill Curb Appeal (And the "Headlight" Fix)

Are your garage doors stealing the show? Learn why high-contrast white doors ruin dark exteriors and how to fix the 'Headlight Effect' with warm wood tones.

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Mid-century Modern

Mid-Century Modern Landscaping: Fixing 'Floating' Boulders and Cluttered Planting

Restoring an MCM landscape? Learn why 'floating' boulders look fake, how to fix 'polka-dot' planting, and the right way to landscape a shady slope.

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Retaining Walls

That Crack in Your Wall is a Warning: Fixing the Hydrostatic Dam

Is your retaining wall cracking? Learn why 'stair-step' cracks signal dangerous water pressure and how to fix the 'prison yard' look with smart screening.

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