We LOVE our native ferns. There is something so soothing about a colony of ferns – the texture, the form, the smell – they are an iconic symbol of forests of the Northeast. Ferns do not produce flowers—no nectar or pollen for pollinators—and their foliage does not provide much food for wildlife.  However, colonies of ferns provide essential cover and nesting …

Mosquitos are a total nuisance – they can make treasured outdoor spaces unbearable!  They are also a public health risk, carrying diseases such as West Nile in the Northeastern US. This is Step Four of our series on How to Make Our Landscapes Safer & Healthier.  Catch up on Steps One and Two and Step Three.  Traditional (Toxic) Mosquito Control Unfortunately, …

Topography, flow paths and sheet flow, surface, subsurface, French drains, perimeter drains, berms, bioswales, perk and infiltration rates are all important physical considerations to developing any substantial landscape architecture or garden design plan. In consulting we often see the negative effects of lack of design planning and storm water engineering, like the ponding in the above photo. This occurred at …

With more frequent storms and greater volumes of rainfall/storm water, we need to consider how that impacts our properties and effects landscape design as well as maintaining our existing and future drainage systems. Wherever, whenever we can we design and employ bioengineering techniques. This may be as simple as bioswales and rain gardens or more advanced and complicated systems such …

2019 was a fantastic year for Green Jay Landscape Design.  We received calls from many like-minding people seeking to detoxify their landscapes and boost the ecological value of their property. It is always a pleasure to work for passionate clients aligned with our mission. In honor of the new year, we’re reflecting on our favorite projects of 2019! Our top …