"CastleWall" Block Walls in Brookhaven..

Built these two walls at the Brookhaven Fields jobsite today..photos will sort of walk you through the process (without all the demolition of the old crosstie wall and digging, etc). You start at the lowest point and work your way up and into the grade-using crushed granite paver base under any block that will have bottom ground contact. Granite is tamped down and leveled to a thickness of about 1". There is a lip on each block that holds the blocks in place-this lip has to be broken off with a mason's hammer for the bottom rows. Not a difficult job once you get the base runs in and level-the blocks do get a tad heavy after a while;-) Both of these walls will be getting cap block to finish, along with some additional landscaping and eggstone walking paths.

Tree Coming Down at Briarcliff Job...

Got a heads up around lunch today that Malcolm Bentley from Bentley Tree Service was getting started on the removal of a large White Oak at my upcoming job off Briarcliff Rd. Luckily this house is only 5-10 minutes from the Brookhaven Fields project, so I swung by to check on their progress after getting some lunch.

Brookhaven Fields 9/01

Started out today with a delivery of soil mix (topsoil/sand/bark fines) from Atlanta Landscape Materials. Used the soil mix to create a bed along the side of the house using orphaned hostas, ferns and a rose from the back yard...plant new GG Gerbing and transplanted azaleas...and topdress the areas that will be getting the additional sod. View from the back deck shows progress-and a good bit of work left to accomplish.

Brookhaven Fields 8/31

We've had a lot of rain since Friday-kept me from working Friday and has this job really wet. Son and I attempted to do some demolition of the crosstie wall yesterday and were rained out again after about 45 mins of work. (top photo). Today I decided to concentrate on things made a little easier by the wet soil-trenching bedlines and digging out encroaching turf, transplant Hydrangas and Rhododendron, dig holes for some nice GG Gerbing Azaleas and work on cleaning the big ivy bed in the back. It was raining (again) this morning so I went to pick up the first load of CastleWall block while I waited for it to pass.

1st Day-Brookhaven Fields

This job consists of consists of back yard improvements and an Oldcastle block retaining wall. Emerald Zoysia turf in the back will be extended back, large ivy bed in rear will be cleaned and some azaleas added/transplanted. The beds along the fence line will be redefined with trenching and some additional sod-transplanted plants. Finally, the deteriorating crosstie wall between houses will be demolished, removed, and replaced with a interlocking block wall.

Back to Work at One of My Favorites

I did a design/install for these clients at their former home in Dunwoody over 10 years ago...when they decided to build this home in the Briarcliff/Clairmont area of Atlanta, they asked me to do a design and work with the builder and his landscaper to implement. The landscape is now a couple of years old and I have done a little work at the house over that period. Now there is a dead White Oak in the front of the house that will be coming down this week. I went out this morning to dig some azaleas to keep them from being damaged by the tree work (top photo-the oak has the scar on it). The loss of the tree will create a different situation in the landscape surrounding it. I have been tasked with re-doing that front bed along with a couple of other additions and should start on that work in mid September.

Now Offering Seasonal Maintenance

This is an idea I have toyed with for a while. I don't do lawn maintenance (regular mowing, trimming, pruning, etc) and have no plans to start-but I have identified a need that some of my clients have for seasonal maintenance. The program will consist of 4 visits a year and will be tailored to each client's specific needs. Among the basic services I will offer:

Fertilization of trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals as needed

Pruning of all plants as season dictates (for example, you have azaleas that need to be pruned after they bloom in April/May or Crape Myrtles that need to be pruned in February)

Division of perennial plants

Irrigation checks/shutdowns/startups

Check gutters, downspouts, drainlines and catch basins for leaks/obstructions

I will also be available to work in other services at a reduced cost if performed during or in conjunction with planned maintenance visit, such as:

Mulch (pine straw, bark, stone, etc)

Annual plantings in May and Sept.

Container Gardens

Minor plant or irrigation additions

Pressure washing of paved surfaces, stone work, decks, retaining walls

The basic plan will be 4 visits per year starting at $90 per visit. I will be glad to come out for an initial consultation free of charge where we can decide exactly what service you would require each visit and quote a price per visit based on your needs. There will be no contract to sign and you pay for the service after it is performed. I will keep a database and remind you a month in advance of an upcoming visit-you can either confirm you want the upcoming service or cancel it, and advise me at that time of any additional services you might desire.

If an initial cleanup is required to get the landscape in a manageable condition, that will be quoted as a separate project and not part of the maintenance program.

I know from experience with my clients that many enjoy maintaining their yards-but may have some chores that are beyond their expertise or they simply don't have time for during the season they are required. I will be happy to tailor a program that fits your needs and desires.

If you would like to discuss this program further please contact me-

thelandscapeguy@gmail.com

678.689.3859