Blog & Guides
Practical advice and updates from our team in Pittsburgh’s South Hills. Written in plain language by the people who do the work — so you know what to expect before a project begins.
French Country Garden Ideas: Planters, Plants & the Look
How to bring the French country look to your yard: weathered urns and Versailles planters, lavender and boxwood, gravel paths, and small-garden ideas that work in Pittsburgh.
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Most Popular Guides
The guides Pittsburgh homeowners read most often before starting a project.
How to Water a New Lawn
A clear watering schedule for newly seeded grass, and the common mistakes that quietly ruin a fresh lawn.
Read the guide Reader FavoriteConcrete Landscape Edging Styles
A visual guide to concrete border styles — edge your beds once, and you may never have to edge again.
Read the guide Often SharedPlants That Keep Deer Away
Eleven beautiful plants hungry deer tend to leave alone, plus four simple tactics that help protect your yard.
Read the guide“Planting a new lawn is a good investment — but a few common mistakes can undo all of it.”From our guide, How to Water a New Lawn
Latest Posts
Seasonal advice and a look at recent projects around the South Hills.
Deer-Resistant Perennials for Pittsburgh Gardens
The perennials that come back every year, shrug off our Zone 6a/6b winters, and are the last thing a hungry deer reaches for.
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How to Fix Retaining Wall Drainage Problems
Why walls fail without drainage, the warning signs to watch for, and how gravel backfill, drain pipe, and weep holes fix the problem.
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Low-Maintenance Front Yard Landscaping Ideas
Tough Zone 6b plants, decorative stone, clean edging, and a little hardscape that keep a Pittsburgh front yard sharp with little upkeep.
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When You Need Excavation & Grading
The warning signs a yard needs grading, how excavation ties into drainage and hardscape, and when to bring in a heavy-dig specialist.
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Pool Landscaping Ideas for Pittsburgh Backyards
Privacy plantings, paver surrounds, and decorative stone that hold up in Pittsburgh's Zone 6b climate.
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How Much Does a Privacy Fence Cost?
Wood, vinyl, and aluminum pricing per foot, what drives the cost up or down, and how permits factor in.
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Landscape Lighting Ideas for Your Yard After Dark
Uplighting, path lights, and wall lighting that let you enjoy your yard all evening, plus why low-voltage LED beats solar.
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Why Spring Is the Best Time to Plan a Patio or Wall
Plan in spring and you get the schedule you want, and enjoy the finished space all summer.
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A South Hills Outdoor Living Space
A recent backyard project: a new deck and patio paired with full-property landscaping.
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Spring Mulching Tips
When to mulch, how much you need, and the simple mistakes that cost time and money.
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Q&A Landscaping Now Offers Fencing
One trusted crew can now finish your whole yard, fencing included, with no juggling separate contractors.
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13 Spring Flowers for Pittsburgh Gardens
Reliable bloomers for our climate, from early crocuses to fragrant lilacs, with pricing and pairings.
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Assessing Winter Damage to Walls and Patios
How to spot cracks, shifting, and drainage issues on your hardscapes before they turn into costly repairs.
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Spring Lawn Prep for Pittsburgh Yards
The essential steps to revive your lawn after winter and set it up for healthy growth all season.
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Spring Planting Guide: What to Plant and When
The best times to plant trees, shrubs, and perennials in Pittsburgh, plus native picks that thrive in Western PA.
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Do You Need a French Drain?
The warning signs of a yard drainage problem, and what a proper French drain installation actually involves.
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Patio Firepits & Outdoor Fire Features
Everything to know about adding a firepit or fireplace, from gas versus wood to materials that last in our climate.
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Commercial Snow Removal in Pittsburgh
What business owners need to know about snow contracts, sidewalk clearing, and professional ice management.
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Let the Leaves Be the Only Thing Falling
Why a careful fall cleanup protects everything you planted during the year.
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Equipment & Projects We're Thankful For
A look at the crew and equipment behind every project we take on across the South Hills.
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Fall Cleanup Checklist
A simple, step-by-step list for preparing your yard before winter arrives.
Read moreMore Guides & Articles
In-depth guides on the projects we’re asked about most.
The Essential Guide to Building Lasting Retaining Walls
Aug 2023What matters most when building a retaining wall that stays strong and looks good for years.
Mulch: The Complete Guide to Installation & Care
Feb 2024Timing, how much to use, and how to keep mulch beds healthy and looking their best.
6 Landscaping Ideas for a Sloped or Hilly Backyard
Jun 2023Terraced beds, retaining walls, and water features that turn a difficult slope into an asset.
River Rock & Stone Landscaping for Small Yards
Sep 2024Low-maintenance stone and dry-bed ideas that make the most of a smaller yard.
21 Easy-Care Native Landscaping Plants
May 2023Western Pennsylvania natives that look beautiful and are simple to maintain.
The Best Native Landscaping Trees for Your Yard
Mar 2024Which trees are worth planting in our region, and why they matter on your property.
How to Care for Sod: Installation & Watering
Jan 2024Preparing the soil, watering correctly, and the details that help a new lawn come in well.
How to Install & Maintain a Paver Patio
Apr 2024The basics of building and caring for an outdoor patio made of permeable pavers.
How to Boost Property Value with Landscaping
Nov 2023A realtor’s take on which landscaping projects return the most when you sell.
15 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Landscape Designer
Sep 2023The questions worth settling before you hire anyone for a landscaping project.
