Author Archives: micah

When people think about landscaping their yard, they often think about bushes, trees, flowers, and grass. Some people go beyond that to think of rocks, pavers, or water features. But there’s something that’s just as important as any of these things, but that often gets overlooked in discussions about landscaping: lighting. Lighting plays a vital role in landscaping design, and taking time to make sure your landscape is lit properly can make all the difference in your yard. Here are […]

A fire pit is a popular addition to a backyard, and for good reason. Even in the Arizona desert, there’s nothing quite like sitting around a glowing fire on a cool evening.  If you’re thinking of adding a fire pit or fireplace to your outdoor living space, you’ll have some logistics to work out. One of the biggest questions you’ll have to answer is whether you prefer a wood burning or gas outdoor fire pit. Today, we’ll give a brief […]

The Japanese “zen garden” is designed using rocks, water, plants, and sand, all carefully designed and placed to promote mindfulness and meditation. As the American Heart Association says, “Spending time in nature can reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, and boost feelings of happiness and wellbeing.” Unfortunately, not all of us are able to get to “nature” on a regular basis. But if you can’t go to nature, then you can at least bring nature—and its zen—to you. While you […]

While the greenery in your yard creates a lush, vibrant atmosphere, hardscaping does something entirely different, yet just as important. Hardscaping—the use of hard materials like bricks, concrete, wood, etc. in a landscaped area—adds structure, organization, and visual interest to your yard. In fact, when it comes to landscape design, hardscaping is every bit as crucial as landscaping and greenery when it comes to creating an attractive finished product. Here are three big ways hardscaping can transform your landscape design. […]

For most of the country, winter is the time to bundle up and stay inside. In Phoenix, however, winter is prime time for getting outdoors and enjoying the most mild of the desert seasons. With highs in the high 60s and lows usually in the 40s, a Phoenix winter offers a nice reprieve from the blistering hot summers, without becoming unbearably cold. This makes it an ideal time for residents of the Phoenix area to utilize their outdoor spaces for […]