Landscape Design Blog | Avon Landscaping - General
Landscape Design Blog | Avon Landscaping - General
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We post inspiration, ideas, and how to's on the following topics: landscape design, landscape build, landscape maintenance and much more!
Category: General
See Your Patio Before We Build It: 3D Landscape Design You Can Walk Through
Imagine stepping into your future backyard and strolling past a glowing fire pit and grill station before a single paver is laid. At Avon Landscaping, we let you do exactly that with immersive 3D patio design that you can explore like a video game. Homeowners often know how they want to live outside, but not how it should look or fit. Paper sketches and top-down plans can only go so far. That is why we use Unilock design software to turn your ideas into a realistic walk-through of your outdoor living space. You see the scale, the flow, the seating, the lighting, and the details in real time, so you feel confident before construction begins. Why It Is Hard To Visualize Outdoor Living Flat plans make it tough to gauge size, circulation, and sightlines. Small details like borders, step lighting, and seating often get missed. Seasonal needs and entertainment goals are not always clear on paper. We solve this by building your space in 3D and letting you experience it from ground level. You will know exactly how your patio, walkway, and landscaping work together. Our 3D Patio Design Process Step 1: Discovery Meeting We start with a conversation about how you plan to use your space: How many people do you host most often? Do you want to use the patio in colder months with a fire pit or fireplace? Where should the grill, dining, and lounge zones live? Do you need privacy, shade, or specific views? Bring your ideas, inspiration, or even a quick napkin sketch. We will ta
New Construction Landscaping: Why Planning Your Patio Early Pays Off
Picture this. Your new home is framed, the rooms are taking shape, and out back you see a wide, blank canvas. That space can become a welcoming paver walkway, a cozy fire pit, or the outdoor kitchen you have always wanted. The smartest time to shape that vision is earlier than most people think. I am Matt Brunner from Avon Landscaping, and my team and I help homeowners turn new builds into complete, livable homes with thoughtful landscape design. If you are building a house, here is how to avoid costly rework, protect your budget, and create a backyard and front yard that feel finished from day one. The Biggest Mistake We See With New Builds Waiting until the house is finished to start landscaping can limit your options and increase costs. Irrigation, lighting, lawn grading, and planting beds all connect to one anchor: the patio. Even if your patio is not in phase one, its location and size should guide everything else. That is why we recommend meeting with us early, even when you only have a lot and a floor plan. We can share budgetary numbers for essentials like a lawn and an irrigation system, then build a master plan that phases in features over time. Our Design-First Process We start with a site walkthrough and a design conversation. You will meet with me or Josh to map out how you want to live outdoors. Patio placement and size that fit your lifestyle Future shade structures or pergolas Heat sources like a fire pit or a fireplace Grilling now and a future bar
Backyard Landscaping Design That Fits Your Life | Avon Landscaping
Picture this. You invite friends over for a summer evening, only to realize the grill smokes the seating area, water pools near the patio, and the sun makes half the yard unusable. We see it all the time. The good news is that a thoughtful design can solve these issues before a single shovel hits the ground. At Avon Landscaping, we start every backyard landscaping project by understanding how you want to live outside. I’m Matt Brunner, and my team and I build spaces that look great and function even better. Here is how we turn ideas into an outdoor space you love to use. Our On Site Walkthrough Is Everything The first meeting sets the tone for a successful project. We meet you at your home so we can: Learn how you use your yard. Big parties or quiet mornings? Cooking or relaxing? Privacy or open views? See real conditions. Sun and shade patterns, existing trees, slopes, and any drainage red flags. Talk through goals. Do you want a patio, fire pit, grill station, steps, or a bench wall? How much seating do you need? That personal walkthrough gives us the insight to design a backyard that fits your lifestyle and your property. What We Evaluate Before We Design Great landscaping is more than nice plants. We look at the bones of your yard first. Slope and drainage: Water runs downhill, and we plan for it. Proper grading and drainage keep patios and planting beds dry and durable. Sun and shade: Plants and people both need the right light. We decide where shade t
Deer Resistant Landscaping for Cleveland’s West Side: Clay Soil and Shade Solutions
Your shade garden looks tired, your clay soil stays soggy after every rain, and the deer treat your plants like a buffet. Sound familiar? We work with yards like this every week across the west side of Cleveland, and there is real, practical hope for your landscape. At Avon Landscaping, we design and install planting plans that stand up to clay-heavy soils, mature tree shade, and heavy deer pressure. I’m Josh Brunner, and my team and I blend soil science, smart plant selection, and steady maintenance so you get a landscape that thrives instead of survives. The West Side Reality: Clay, Shade, and Deer Cleveland’s west side is known for dense, clay-based soils and beautiful mature trees that bring welcome shade along with twigs, leaves, and acorns. Add a strong local deer population, and you have a recipe for frustration. Here is the truth we share with every client: deer do not read plant lists. There are plants they almost never touch, but if they are hungry, they will try nearly anything. Success comes from choosing plants that are less appetizing, improving the soil so roots can thrive, and maintaining the landscape so new installs establish quickly. Our Proven Approach Start With a Soil Test Clay can hold water around roots and cause plants to fail from too much moisture. We begin with a soil test to understand pH and texture. That data guides everything we do. Build Better Beds We do not plant straight into hard clay. We till and amend the beds, ble
Light Up Your Nights: Custom LED Landscape Lighting That Transforms Your Home
Picture this. You step outside after sunset and your walkway glows softly, your patio feels warm and welcoming, and the architecture of your home looks like it was made for the evening. No harsh floodlights, no tripping over shadows, just the perfect balance of safety and style. That is what we create every night with professional landscape lighting. At Avon Landscaping, we know sunlight does most of the work during the day, but after dark your home still deserves to shine. The problem many homeowners face is relying on bargain lights that fail after one season, deliver weak coverage, or look mismatched. We design and install durable, low-voltage LED systems that boost curb appeal, increase visibility, and make outdoor living more enjoyable. Why Professional Landscape Lighting Matters Great outdoor lighting is about more than seeing where you are going. It is about guiding the eye, shaping mood, and highlighting the best parts of your property while improving safety. Safer steps and walkways A welcoming, high-end look from the street Better visibility for entertaining on patios and in backyards Subtle security by reducing dark corners Our Lighting Options Every yard needs a different mix of fixtures to look its best. We install: Accent lights that sculpt your home’s facade and future plantings Path lights that define walkways and high-traffic areas Hardscape and patio lighting integrated into pavers and seating walls We use Kichler Proudox fixtures, a well
Landscape Architect vs. Landscape Designer: How to Choose for Your Home
You step outside, stare at your yard, and think, Who do I call to make this look amazing? A landscape architect or a landscape designer? It is a common question we hear at Avon Landscaping, and the right answer depends on what you need and where you live. The Core Difference: Focus and Fit Here is the simple breakdown. Landscape architects typically focus on large commercial properties and complex building sites. Their work can include broad site planning and often comes with higher fees that make sense when you are managing a multi-acre campus or a 500,000 square foot building. For most homeowners, a landscape designer is the best fit. Our designers meet with you at your home, listen to your goals, study the site conditions, and create a custom plan that fits your property and your lifestyle. As Matt Brunner puts it, we start with the person who lives at the house, not just the house itself. Why a Landscape Designer Works Best for Residential Projects When you work with Avon Landscaping, you get a highly personalized experience designed around your home and daily life. In-Person Consultation We begin on site. We talk through your wish list, design style, and the colors you love. We evaluate sun and shade patterns, soil conditions, and deer pressure so the plants we select thrive for years. Full-Scale Custom Design You receive a complete, scaled landscape plan tailored to your property. Every plant is labeled, so you know exactly what is going where and why it was
Year-Round Landscape Color: How We Design Four-Season Curb Appeal
Picture your yard in February. Is it a sea of sticks, or does it still have structure, texture, and life? At Avon Landscaping, we design for color and interest in every season, not just when the tulips pop. That thoughtful planning is what turns a landscape into a place you love looking at, all year long. The Real Problem We Solve Many yards rely solely on flowering plants. They look great for a few weeks, then fade, leaving beds bare for months. Our approach blends bloom cycles with evergreens and structure so you never feel like your landscape is on pause. We plan waves of color that carry through spring, summer, and fall, supported by plants that keep their shape in winter. The Backbone of Winter: Evergreens With Structure Winter lasts a while in our region. Without structure, your yard can feel empty. We weave in evergreens like boxwoods and arborvitae to create anchors that hold the design together when everything else is dormant. These plants: Provide year-round form and color Frame entries, patios, and focal points Balance the softer look of perennials and seasonal flowers Evergreens are not the only stars, but they are the stage that lets seasonal color shine. Waves of Color That Flow Through Your Yard Color should not appear in random bursts. We create continuity by planting in flowing drifts and repeating key varieties. The goal is a rhythm that guides your eye across the landscape. Spring: Early blooms set the tone Summer: Mid-season perennials carry
Low Maintenance Landscaping That Fits Your Life
There is no such thing as a no maintenance yard. Anyone who promises one is selling a myth. The real win is a landscape that matches how much time you want to spend outside, so it stays beautiful without becoming a burden. At Avon Landscaping, we start every landscape design by asking about your maintenance style. Some clients love pruning and seasonal care. Others want something clean and simple that looks great with minimal attention. I’m Josh Brunner, and our team helps you make the right choices up front, then backs you up with clear guidance and, if needed, ongoing maintenance services. Start With Your Maintenance Style Every plant and landscape needs some care. The key is aligning plant selection and layout with how involved you want to be. If you prefer a hands-off yard, we recommend hardy varieties that need less pruning and simpler seasonal care. If you enjoy gardening, we can incorporate more color and plant diversity while planning the right timing and techniques for upkeep. We have that conversation before we design, so your new landscape fits your lifestyle from day one. Smart Plant Selection and Simple Design Overplanting is one of the fastest ways to turn a fresh landscape into a jungle. Too many plants can overwhelm you and crowd each other, which leads to more pruning, more weeding, and more frustration. We design with intention, spacing plants for long-term health and manageable growth. The result is a clean, balanced look that stays that wa
How to Eliminate the Risks and Inconveniences of Northeast Ohio Snow Removal
The Fox 8 meteorologist team predicts 64 to 76 inches of snowfall this winter with alternating “arctic visits and milder melting breaks”. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) calls for a colder, snowier than normal season. And, the faithful Farmer’s Almanac expects warmer months ahead for Northeast Ohio. So, who are you to believe? For this year’s Northeast Ohio winter, expect the unexpected. (Isn't that every winter in this part of the country?) Predictions aside, winter brings snow to Avon and the surrounding areas. Unfortunately, a search of the App store fails to reveal an app for removing snow. You get two choices: Shovel it yourself or hire to get the job done. While tackling it yourself or asking the neighborhood youths to take on the task eases the wallet, clearing driveways and walkways calls for other considerations. Health, safety, and your schedule play into it as well. Check it out: Your Health and Snow Removal Snow shoveling is a good heart-pumping and muscle-building workout, right? And, with the sedentary activities inspired by colder temperatures, you work out where you can. While the thought is enticing (and true if you proceed with caution), the statistics paint a different picture. Approximately 11,000 people visit the hospital yearly due to snow shoveling accidents. Falls, overexertion (leading to muscle sprains, back injuries, and heart attacks) and being struck by a shovel top the list o
7 Ways to Prepare Your Yard for Fall
Fall in Northeast Ohio brings plenty of sunshine. The threat of winter should not keep you from enjoying your lawn. There are plenty of ways to prepare your yard for
