I use a holistic approach, to design and manage working landscapes.
This approach is based on my knowledge of plant ecology, my own homesteading experience, and a collaborative connection with clients.

In addition to residential homesteads, I’m seeking work with schools, churches, foundations, and other grassroots organizations. If you’re creating a conservation easement, a community garden, or an outdoor educational space, I can help your project get off to a good start.

My services offered are listed below.

CONSULTING is an efficient use of my time that can save you money and headaches. Don’t put off an expense that creates problems later. In my 40 years developing rural property, I’ve made plenty of mistakes. I’d love to walk your land so you can see it through my lens.  My site analysis will focus on plant inventories that reveal information about the soil, water, and the history of your property. Getting the lay of the land is crucial for siting solar homes, creating good access, making agricultural improvements, and identifying high value natural areas for conservation.

DESIGN done well, offers elegant solutions and embraces constraints. Many suburban homeowners have difficult yards with dry shade, deer pressure, and invasive exotic plants. I see hidden potential, the lands natural inclination, where problem spots hold unique opportunities. Whether you’re swapping out your lawn for a natural meadow, improving pollination, creating wildlife habitat, or you need a more formal landscape. I listen to my clients, ask questions, and incorporate your desires into a comprehensive plan. I offer a range of design products from expedient, on-site planning; to planting plans and schematics; to full service, hand rendered, detailed construction documents.

MAINTENANCE is a long term process that draws on all my knowledge and expertise. Your landscape is a living sculpture, always changing. Using forethought and proper timing we keep it healthy and beautiful. I’m not available to mow and blow, leave that to commercial outfits. I excel at editing, pruning, dividing, cover-cropping and filling the gaps. We achieve the best results when patience allows a vision to emerge within a stable ecological balance.

INSTALLATION jobs are dependent on my availability. With 30 years of construction experience I manage complex projects with skill and efficiency . From hiring subs, to sourcing plants, and building garden structures, I’ll track the details and keep your job moving forward.

PREFERRED PROJECTS

• Water Features – pools, rain gardens and native wetland plantings
• Edible Gardens – fruiting borders, tea gardens, culinary and medicinal herbs and salad greens
• Pollinator Habitat – heavy blooming, native wildflowers and prairie plantings
• Garden Structures – decorative and functional fences, gates, porches, patios, and sculpture
• Working Landscapes – proper land stewardship; cover cropping, woodland thinning, and earthworks provides refuge, beauty, resources, and recreational value