When we started this magazine almost two years ago, the occasion presented an opportunity for me to receive a crash course in professional landscaping. My wife and I so enjoyed the process – and especially the results – of having the front yard re-landscaped that a backyard project became obvious this spring.
Seeing fascinating new products, processes and ultimate satisfaction of property owners in each month’s issue of Total Landscape Care made the decision much easier for me. While I would love to describe every step of the process, let me say we are extremely satisfied. The visual transformation of what was an overgrown lot is only part of our overall satisfaction. My confidence in the landscaper, his critical advice and vision for what would work best for my purposes is the real reason that the process and the results are so enjoyable to me.
Oh, there were problems. Perhaps paramount in the crew’s mind was my involvement. But whether my opinions, critical analysis or just plain meddling bothered them, they never showed it. Early in the process, both phone and cable lines that run under the yard were accidently cut. Certain changes (made by me) necessitated additional changes on down the linex. And, as you can relate to, things never happened as fast as I hoped they would. What I realized, however is that certain tasks require meticulous attention to detail and it is the end result that ultimately gets graded.
What we have now is a gorgeous, livable space that offers something different for every member of the household: a stone and paver patio for mom and dad to rock and relax, a timber-constructed swing among the plants for our daughter to swing the hours away, and a beautiful, natural-looking water feature to remind me of my roots in the hills of east Tennessee.
I can jokingly claim to be fully vested in the industry as a result of this makeover. In truth, I have a much more livable space in my backyard and the curious neighbors have boasted that our new look has improved the property value in the neighborhood. I’m not admitting that, but I will say that now we don’t have to travel to find a place to relax and enjoy the scenery.
