Creating a neighborhood green space

Ed Castro Landscape

After purchasing the undeveloped 2.8 acre lot adjacent to their home to avoid over development in their neighborhood, our client wanted to restore the environmental health of the overgrown property while providing an inviting space for the entire neighborhood to enjoy. With thorough removal of invasive species, re-grading to reduce erosion, development of trails, orchards…

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‘Nature Smart’ and inspirational

The Fockele Garden Company

Smartville Garden is an outdoor classroom at a public elementary school where students, staff, parents and the community can experience the proven effects of nature on educational aptitude, health and wellbeing. Plant taxonomy and classification, water conservation, environmental awareness, nature science, and biology are taught via an instruction model that includes cross-connecting science, technology, engineering…

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Designing to control flow

Creating recreation spaces that address water runoff. The client’s goal for this project was to rehab a dilapidated portion of the property into a casual, highly-usable entertaining and recreation area with a low maintenance landscape to surround. The spaces, architectural feel, and overall design needed to mesh with the existing property, located in a historic…

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Hillside dilemma

Ed Castro Landscape

Expanded patio and elevated terrace. This family was looking to create a larger, usable space for recreation and entertainment behind their home, but the steep hillside was a challenge. The slope, and resulting drainage issues, limited their ability to use the space. Our firm was hired to turn this formerly problematic and nondescript space into…

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Blank slate turned sanctuary

Formal outdoor space blends with the stately home. These two empty-nesters with a love of gardens wanted to create a sanctuary of their own, and their yard was a blank slate.  Using materials that blend with the existing architecture, and formal geometry that maximizes the limited available space, this design creates a seamless extension of…

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Enhancing the entrance

Michaelangelo's Sustainable Landscape & Design Group

Making this home’s entrance safe and beautiful. This project was a complete residential makeover. We designed the residence to have form and function. The retaining walls, steps, and walkways were dilapidated and unusable. From start to finish, the design enhanced the entire entrance to the home. This was the beginning of the rip-out process: removing…

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Water, slope and drainage

Unique Environmental Landscapes - drainage solution

Sloping side yard causes drainage problem. This homeowner called us in to address a significant drainage issue. Their relatively small and compact yard had a significant right to the left slope, all wedged between large homes. The upper neighbor’s water flowed into their side yard and formed a pool of water with every rainfall. Our…

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Erosion, flood plains, and other landscape disasters

Ed Castro Landscape

Solutions for erosion and drainage problems in the landscape. As a Master Gardener volunteer, one of my responsibilities was to answer landscape and gardening questions from metro Atlanta residents. Questions such as “what’s eating my peppers and tomatoes?” and “why won’t my hydrangea bloom?” were fairly easy to answer. Recommending insecticidal soap or horticultural oil…

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