The Joy of Landscaping
7 October, 2021
An Incredible Transformation
This summer, MHJ Garden Design took on a garden transformation project that was one of the most fulfilling experiences in my professional career. The joy I experienced in working on this landscape design with my crew and contractors is hard to fully describe, but from start to finish, the project was challenging, exciting, and very rewarding.
From receiving the initial phone call, to meeting with the clients and listening to what they wanted, then conducting a site inventory and analysis, creating preliminary design sketches, putting together a conceptual design plan after much detailed consultation with the clients both on the hard and softscapes, to coming up with the final drawing of the landscape plan, the joy of going through the entire design process from start to finish quite exceeded my expectations.
From receiving the initial phone call, to meeting with the clients and listening to what they wanted, then conducting a site inventory and analysis, creating preliminary design sketches, putting together a conceptual design plan after much detailed consultation with the clients both on the hard and softscapes, to coming up with the final drawing of the landscape plan, the joy of going through the entire design process from start to finish quite exceeded my expectations.
At the beginning of the project, I was handed any landscape architect's dream scenario: a mostly empty yardspace surrounding a brand new house in a great neighbourhood. I sat down at my drafting table and began to sketch. Ideas poured out of me, and thanks be to God, the clients were thrilled with what I presented, and when they offered input, were extremely easy to collaborate with.
After finishing the initial plan and estimate came the hard part: finding a contractor!
After the collective pause the world seemed to be observing during 2020, this year everybody was eager to get outside and garden it seemed, and all our regular contractors were booked full for the season already. Thankfully, God came to the rescue, and I discovered the wonderful Mr. Dale Deckert and his amazing crew. He and his team were easy to work with, and laboured diligently for a fair rate. I previewed his work online before contracting him, and I think you'll find that the finished results of this project speak for themselves.
Once we had the contractor locked in, it was time to get started! I took the MHJ Garden Design team on-site, and worked with Mr. Deckert's team to accurately measure, place, and dig holes and shape flower beds. We were essentially creating a new garden from scratch out of nothing, and it was imperative that everything was done accurately so the clients can enjoy a stunning garden for years, in every season, no matter what plants they may grow.
Once we had the contractor locked in, it was time to get started! I took the MHJ Garden Design team on-site, and worked with Mr. Deckert's team to accurately measure, place, and dig holes and shape flower beds. We were essentially creating a new garden from scratch out of nothing, and it was imperative that everything was done accurately so the clients can enjoy a stunning garden for years, in every season, no matter what plants they may grow.
My planting plan comprised mainly native plants, trees, and shrubs, and soft grasses were planted to give that sea-breeze, cape-cod homely touch to the landscape while simultaneously providing an attractive border between them and the neighbours. The plants found a home in barren corners as well as the empty spaces lining the house.
We also created stand-alone garden islands and features with benches to create a restful space in the garden, as well as beautifying the flagpole and lightpost areas. (Of course, we made sure to call 811-DIG to ensure our work did not disturb any electrical lines.)
The trees were especially important to plant, as after the initial clearing of the land to build the house, none had been replanted, and the only sources of shade were from neighbouring plots of land. |
Trees provide all sorts of important practical and beautification functions for a garden such as:
- Stabilizing and preserving soil by preventing erosion
- Reducing stormwater runoff and alleviating the effects of flooding
- Filtering air pollution and reducing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in urban areas
- Supporting wildlife and the animal kingdom that depend on trees to provide food, protection and shelter
I was privileged to plant these trees this season; Cherokee Prince, Tree Hydrangea, Juniperus Robusta Rose of Sharon, and the lovely Crepe Myrtle.
Some heavy summer storms threatened to destabilize the newly planted saplings, but with attentive care and reinforcement, we got them settled firmly into place, and I can't wait to see these showcase themselves come spring. |
Around each tree and flowerbed, we featured gorgeous hardscape planting border edges. The beds were lined with complementary white-grey smooth pavers and inlaid with marbled-cream river rocks to finish, creating a sleek, modern look.
Last but not least was the lawn care. We had the soil tested, and as we worked on the garden bed it became very apparent to us how very poor the soil was in many areas of the site. So, it was quite a job to prepare the ground for planting and seeding.
No limestone was in the soil at all, which meant we had to aerate the soil, bring in clean topsoil and seed the entire lawn. Thankfully, after all the work was done, the bountiful rain came to water the plants and the newly seeded lawn. We look forward to the next planting season to see how well the plants, trees and lawn will look after settling in all summer and fall.
No limestone was in the soil at all, which meant we had to aerate the soil, bring in clean topsoil and seed the entire lawn. Thankfully, after all the work was done, the bountiful rain came to water the plants and the newly seeded lawn. We look forward to the next planting season to see how well the plants, trees and lawn will look after settling in all summer and fall.
Congratulations to my extraordinary clients. They were hand picked by the Almighty God to hire me to carry out this amazing project.
Many stars rise in the sky at night, but some stars rise and position themselves in the right place and don't move until they have been seen. Everything about this job was in perfect alignment to the glorious will of God. I am so thankful to have studied Landscape Architecture and to have been able to use this knowledge to complete such an ambitious and rewarding project. I love what I do and I do it to the glory of God, and it is to Him I give thanks as I early await what the next season will bring.
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