Backyard Nature Is Expensive

The Wall Street Journal investigates what it takes to create a 'natural' backyard.

1 minute read

April 7, 2002, 5:00 AM PDT

Talk about the greening of America. This spring, homeowners are calling in landscapers in numbers right out of the big-spending '90s...We asked designers at three price levels -- low, medium and high -- to come up with a plan for our two-acre Connecticut home. We got a lesson on drainage from a place called Vinny's, talked "hardscape" with a midrange pro, and discovered our "palette" of woodland shrubs from a landscape architect whose usual clients spend more on retaining walls than we paid for our home. We even got tips from someone who calls himself America's first 'exterior decorator.'" Editor's note: To read the full text of this article, you will need a wsj.com subscription.

Thanks to Chris Steins

FULL STORY: Landscapers Charge Big Money To Give Lawns 'Natural' Look

Saturday, April 6, 2002 in Wall St. Journal

Landscape Architecture United States

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.