Author Archives: micah

Hiring a landscape designer can seem like a daunting prospect. The decision is an important one, as the person you choose will have a big impact on your entire landscape design experience, not to mention the finished product.  What steps can you take to make sure you hire someone who is a good fit for your project? One of the best things you can do is ask the right questions. Here are 5 questions that will help you make an […]

It’s finally that time of year in Arizona—when the weather has cooled down enough that we can get outside and enjoy our backyards again! After a long summer spent inside with the air conditioning, we’re all ready for a little more outdoor fun. Here are some ideas of fun backyard activities the whole family can enjoy. Outdoor games Fun outdoor games are a must-have for any backyard. If you have a big yard, croquet and frisbee are classic, family-friendly games. […]

A front lawn is almost a given of home ownership…but it’s not an obligation that everyone wants to take on. Some people opt to design their front yard in a way that does not include a full lawn of green grass.  Today, we’re going to take a closer look at the pros and cons of choosing to keep your front yard lawn-free. PROS CONS Now that you’re aware of some of the major pros and cons of lawn-free front yard […]

Good design can change everything—and that is just as true outside your home as it is inside it. When you’re working on a backyard garden, for example, a deliberate, well thought out design will make all the difference in making your garden exactly what you want it to be. Today, we’re sharing some of our best tips for designing a garden that is perfect for your home backyard. Know your goals. Is this a vegetable garden, a flower garden, or […]

When it comes to keeping the plants, trees, or flowers in your yard healthy and thriving, there are a couple important things to consider, but none are as important as water. Without the right amounts of water at the right times, any plant will die—period. Of course, staying on top of a strict watering schedule can quickly become a big hassle. And that’s where drip irrigation systems come in.  What is a drip irrigation system? A drip irrigation system is […]

One of the best things about winter in the Phoenix area is that while most of the country is hunkering down for the bitter cold, we are finally getting to venture outside! Mild Phoenix winters mean plenty of sunshine and bearably cool temperatures. Of course, winters are still too cold—even in Phoenix—to use an unheated pool, splash pad, or other water feature. But there are plenty of fun elements you can add to your yard that will make the winter […]

Outdoor furniture can add a lot to your outdoor living possibilities, but it can also be a big investment. For that reason, it is definitely worth putting some thought into the decision before you hit “add to cart.” Here are some of the main things to consider when shopping for and purchasing outdoor furniture. What will you use it for? The first step is creating a vision for your backyard furniture. What do you want to use it for? Do […]

The best landscape design elements don’t just mimic the beauty of nature—they actually recreate it. That is definitely the goal when it comes to “living walls.” This trend isn’t just about transplanting plants to a vertical space; it’s really about helping plants grow and thrive on that space, creating a very natural-looking element that works just as well inside as it does outside. So what exactly is a living wall? And how can you create one for your space? Those […]

There are plenty of fun ways to add visual interest and useful function to your backyard, but by far, one of the most popular ways is including a fireplace or fire pit.  But as with any design choice, adding a fire feature to your backyard requires more than a single decision. And with so many options available to homeowners, it might be a little overwhelming at first. We’re here to help, with a quick overview of some of the basic […]

When it comes to yard design, most Arizonans take one of two directions: either they choose to make their yard lush and green (with grass, trees, and bushes), or they embrace their surroundings and go for more of a low-maintenance desert vibe (with rocks and cacti).  But no matter which direction you take, you’ll probably want some way to add a splash of color to your yard. Color keeps things interesting and creates focal points in your landscaping. Not to […]