This Noho roof garden gives you a space to take it all in Many New Yorkers dream of outdoor space, but reality can fall short. Neglected gardens, overgrown with weeds and junk, are often the norm. Feeling overwhelmed? This post will kickstart your journey to a beautiful urban oasis. We'll break down the planning process into manageable steps, helping you envision your dream garden. Stay tuned for future posts delving deeper into the landscape design process! 1. Step Into Your Space and Take a Deep Breath Begin by simply spending time in your outdoor space. Can you see the garden, or is there ..read more

Linked here is a presentation delivered to #APLD - the Association of Professional Landscape Designers on the history of roof gardens and their benefits. From historical examples within various cultures, including ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Rome, and the Renaissance. The use of roof gardens for entertainment and leisure in the 19th and early 20th centuries is also explored. The presentation concludes by emphasizing the potential of roof gardens to improve our well-being and the environment, and encourages the creation of more roof gardens in urban areas. Explore the history and advantages of ..read more

Black locust wooden fence in a recently completed project in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Notice the curved corners built in a vertical pattern, contrasting with the overall horizontal offset pattern. Beyond mere boundaries, fences in the city serve as the walls of your outside living space, impacting both aesthetics and functionality. In New York City, all residential backyard lots are divided by fences. These structures are a crucial element in any garden design plan. A well-designed fence can be a statement piece in its own right.  Function, height, material, and level of transparency are so ..read more

Private outdoor space has become a prized amenity and is often a requirement in searches on the New York City housing market. The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of outdoor spaces for both physical and mental well-being. As people began spending more time at home, demand for private outdoor space surged. When looking for ways to be with loved ones, private outdoor space offered people a chance to entertain without begin stuck in close quarters together. Incredible view and a blank slate for the garden Rooftops and terraces offer their owners real benefits for their quality of lif ..read more

Landscape design is the art and practice of arranging the physical features of a landscape in a way that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. It involves the consideration of a wide range of factors, including the climate, soil type, topography, existing vegetation, and the desired use of the space. Landscape designers create plans that show how to arrange hardscape elements (such as patios, walkways, and walls) and softscape elements (such as plants, trees, and shrubs) to create a desired effect. Sissinghurst Castle garden is known for establishing the design concept of “garden roo ..read more

Small space, high impact garden design -by Kaity Cheng, Designer/Project manager @ THLD Amidst the noise and bustle of urban life, private outdoor space of any size is a luxury.  These compact outdoor spaces offer a canvas for transformation. Achieving this transformation hinges on striking the right balance between plantings and furnishings. Whether you have a narrow backyard, a little terrace, or a strip of pavement between your home and the sidewalk, rest assured there are garden design techniques that can maximize your garden’s potential. In this blog post, we share expert insights t ..read more

Chef Alan Bergo prepares young Knotweed shoots. photo: foragerchef.com Invasive Plants as the New Superfood! Invasive plants are a huge problem. They choke out native species, destroy ecosystems, and cost billions of dollars in damage every year. But what if I told you that invasive plants could also be a delicious and nutritious meal? That's right, you can now eat your way to environmentalism! Here are a few of the most invasive plants that are also surprisingly edible. Eating invasive plants is a way to turn a problem into a solution. By harvesting and consuming invasive plants, we can redu ..read more

The majesty of Versailles. Photo:ToddHaimanLandscapeDesign In celebration of Pi Day, it's worth exploring the fascinating relationship between math and landscape design. While it may seem surprising at first, the truth is that many of the world's most beautiful gardens rely heavily on mathematical principles to create their stunning designs. In this blog post, we'll delve into some of the key mathematical concepts that underpin landscape design, as well as explore some of the most famous gardens that showcase these principles. Classic garden, London Photo: ToddHaimanLandscapeDesign Geometry ..read more

Plant recommendations for attracting birds to your New York garden. Consider… we build gardens to bring nature closer to us.  Among the many benefits of gardens is the “entertainment value” of nature --  the beauty and wonder of watching birds, butterflies and pollinators, as they bring out the inner child in all of us.    The question "how do I attract birds into my backyard?” is consistently posed by residential garden design clients and urban dwellers in need of a terrace garden design. The answer to attracting birds into your garden lies in understanding a simple princ ..read more

Small garden design ideas from a recent Chelsea Flower Show that could be appropriate for a New York City garden design or any urban design where space is at a premium. Interpret these flourishes for some help with your exterior landscape.  The first garden design is the World Vision Garden by John Warland.  At the heart of the garden is a black ripple pool (reminiscent of Fletcher Steele’s obsidian reflecting pool).  The orange geum coloration is echoed in the cor-ten steel walls and container for the ripple pool. The slate labyrinth path appears like ripples emanating from th ..read more