Florida Landscape Design

Loading the Shady Lady

In January I sold a 8" caliber Shady Lady Black Olive tree from our field.  Raphael and sons dug, loaded and planted the behemoth, I was impressed with their skills in getting the job done.  This single tree was one of the most expensive and impressive specimens that I have sold.  Hazeltine moves trees twice this size, that is some really heavy lifting. 

Strapping Her Down

August 1st will be my one year anniversary at HNI the last ten months have flown by, moving to Florida and settling into an entirely new routine, adjusting to city life and working on the house have filled the days. "Landscaping season" is opposite here in southwest Florida winter is peak sales time with "snowbirds", (seasonal residents ) mainly arriving in fall and leaving in spring.  Northeast Indiana where my business was located the seasonal folks opened their cottages Memorial Day and closed up Labor Day so those were the busiest months. 

Road Side Before

Deigning the landscaping and watching the installation at this house was a good experience.  The clients knew much of what they wanted and I made some suggestions along the way.  Corner lots are great and these folks bought the lot next to them and behind making theirs extra groovy.  Excavation took awhile but once that was complete Julio, James and Pablo were on track to install plants and irrigation.

After Landscaping

To install irrigation the county requires a backflow preventer.  The irrigation technician designed a water system coming directly off the main water supply, once that was installed Pablo began trenching and installing.

Trenching Irrigation Lines

Denise (the homeowner) and I went on a drive in the neighborhood so she could show me a bromeliad garden she really liked.  I drew a sketch for the excavator and he roughed in the island between two Sabal Palms, we planted 10 bromeliads 3 gallon and now Denise has room to collect and grow many more.

Bromeliad Island

Denise and John wanted concrete curbing installed which is a very durable product in Florida, about the only negative with concrete is that is not exactly adjustable.  In order to accommodate the curbing retrofit we left extra weed mat and stone, working with other contractors is often necessary in the trades.

This project has many components; landscaping, lighting, irrigation, drainage and hardscape, good thing Hazeltine does it all makes it all so much easier, no waiting for other people to get there end of the job completed.  The clients are not big fans of plants and maintenance so my design focused on pavers and function.  The paver entry welcomes you, the hose you can see will fit into a flower pot keeps the work load down for the clients.

Utility Walk

This paver walk leads to the garage utility door and makes setting out large trash bins a breeze.

Outstanding Entrance

Circle patio is plumbed for potted plants and makes a dynamic entrance.

Laying Pavers the Right Way

Laying in the final few feet of pavers where trash bins will be located.  Once the pavers are set the crew uses the flexible pvc to mark the line for cutting with the hand held concrete saw.  This process keeps the curves tight and looking great.

Concrete Destruction

Cutting out the old concrete to prepare for pavers was no easy task.  The hammer drill, chisels and concrete saw were all put to use.  I did not prepare the supervisor well for this so they were not real thrilled with me, but hey you have to break a few eggs to make an omelet. 


Lots of projects going in, still working away in Paradise.

Queen Palm Seeds