Landscaper recommendations

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Author Message   Joe Hanlon Citizen Username: Firstof10 Post Number: 3 Registered: 5-2005 Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 5:50 pm:        We're ready for the outside, can anyone recommend a landscaper? The trees are being cleared this spring and we need a nice design. We're particularly interested in someone creating a plan we can implement ourselves overtime. We have a small yard, very overgrown, and will be planting a shade garden most likely.   Pdg Citizen Username: Pdg Post Number: 479 Registered: 5-2004 Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2006 - 9:38 pm:        I paid a woman $450 about 5 years ago for a landscape plan. She said she'd help me implement it for $50/hr, but she completely freaked out on me one morning, screaming at me in my backyard. It was quite shocking. I asked her to leave and did a fine job myself, using the drawing she did as a guide. I researched on the internet and plant websites all the plants she suggested, made some changes and adjustments and have much more knowledge about what is planted in my garden than I would have if I just blindly followed the instructions. It is very satisfying to do this, over time. Have patience. Don't fill every space in one planting. Wait to see how things mature for a year or two - see how much they spread, learn how long things stay dormant (I thought several plants were dead, and called the catalogs for replacements, only to find out they were just still dormant.) If you know you want shade, and you know we're in Zone 6, you could probably do a fine job yourself using tips from Wayside Gardens and Whiteflower Farms catalogs and websites. They suggest great shady gardens and also let you know which plants are deer resistant (important to consider, or you will draw deer even if you don't consider them a problem now.) I use plant knowledge gleaned from other sources to select plants from Bluestone perennials. Their plants are good sized (relatively), well-packed, healthy and very reasonable. they just don't spend a lot on their website or catalog. You will end up with stronger perennials and shrubs, imo, if you buy small and let them grow where you want them, rather than by buying large specimens at a nursery. I think roots spread better when they start young. Transplants often stay in a tight root ball. One neighbor laughed at my garden and all the well-spaced tiny plants I put in 4-5 years ago. She prefers to spend more for faster gratification. Meanwhile, many of her specimens die after one or two winters. My tiny plants are now mature and reliably beautiful every year! Plus, if I find I'd rather have a different plant in a spot, I know it isn't a huge waste to change plants since my initial investment wasn't so much money. Another neighbor is extremely into her garden and starts annuals and veggies from seed. She also has a composter and her garden is stunning. I use the local nurseries for my annuals, but if you have the time, desire and space, starting from seed can be fun. Good luck and have fun!   Ponsonby Citizen Username: Elizabeth_s Post Number: 43 Registered: 3-2004 Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2006 - 10:03 pm:        We did exactly this last year, and used a company called Land Design. Speak with Bill at 973-632-0302, he is great to work with. He designed our back patio and had his co-worker work with us to plan out our landscaping. She then did a diagram for us so we can do the planting as we desire. One note... we cleared all our landscaping out, and have yet to put anything in. Hopefully you're more motivated than us, as now we are probably going to find someone else to do our planting after all.   Joe Hanlon Citizen Username: Firstof10 Post Number: 4 Registered: 5-2005 Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 11:26 am:        Thank you for your help, I feel much more confident beginning this process. I'll check out the recommended websites and Land Design this weekend!!!   Ryndaroadrunner Citizen Username: Ryndaroadrunner Post Number: 5 Registered: 10-2003 Posted on Saturday, February 18, 2006 - 8:51 am:        Does anyone have a phone number for Carmen of Lawn-Gevity? Thanks.   ROGER Citizen Username: Roger Post Number: 69 Registered: 2-2005 Posted on Monday, February 20, 2006 - 5:51 pm:        You are nuts if you want to use Carmen. Take my word for it, you will regret it. He is one major compulsive liar. He has screwed everyone who has used him and has never been able to finish a job - YOU WILL FIRE HIM TOO IF YOU USE HIM. You have been warned.   imsold Citizen Username: Imsold Post Number: 18 Registered: 11-2005 Posted on Monday, February 20, 2006 - 6:19 pm:        I agree that Carmen is someone you cannot count on. A few years ago he canceled about 5 or 6 appointments in a row I had set up with him. I just gave up on him. He talks a good talk though!!   ROGER Citizen Username: Roger Post Number: 70 Registered: 2-2005 Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 10:54 am:        Consider yourself lucky that he didn't get back to you. As you said, he talks a good game and once you realize he is full of crap, it is already too late. Right before I fired him, I asked him about his license to do business in South Orange, and of course, he gave me a thousand excuses and could never produce one. He should not be allowed to screw anyone else in South Orange/Maplewood nor any other part of NJ!   Elizabeth Citizen Username: Momof4peepers Post Number: 10 Registered: 12-2005 Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 8:38 pm:        There are a couple of other things you can look into if you're looking to do the work yourself. Fine Gardening magazine has a "15 tips for designing your landscape" as the lead cover article (a bit skimpy IMHO, but good things to think about) as well as a list of good shade bushes for screening. While I haven't been to the library to check out books here on landscaping, I have a bok called "The Ultimate Landscape Design Book" which gives you pre-printed designs with lists of plants. You can implement, add or modify based on your own preferences. BHG.com also has a garden/landscape design feature you could check out. I've also seen a book that put garden design in phases based on your available funds (example - you want to put in a brick path ultimately, but want to spend the $$ on trees first. You would mark out the path and either use grass or bark mulch the first year (you get the path) and as your funds allowed you would add in the bricks. unfortunately I can't remember the name of the book. Good luck!   Joe Hanlon Citizen Username: Firstof10 Post Number: 5 Registered: 5-2005 Posted on Sunday, February 26, 2006 - 10:37 am:        Thanks Elizabeth. Great suggestions, practical and do-able! Now let's get to the warm weather.