I just love what they're doing with pumpkins these days.  When I was a kid, the standard Jack-o-Lantern design consisted of two triangles for eyes, an inverted triangle for the nose, and, depending on the level of creativity, either a buck-tooth-grin or Jaws-like fangs for the mouth.

Pretty much all the lines were linear -- usually cut with that old steak knife from the kitchen. 

At some point during the last 20 years or so, somebody realized that the geometric designs, as classic Peanuts as they may be, just weren't pushing the envelope of creativity.  Since that time, the levels of creativity have exploded.

I remember watching the old TV show Roseanne -- generally speaking I wasn't a big fan of the show, but their Halloween specials were rather fun.  That was the first time I remember seeing the intricately carved artistic masterpieces that are still showstoppers at pumpkin festivals.

Around that same time, the "etched" pumpkins were also becoming popular.  These aren't carved pumpkins per se, but rather lightly etched on the surface just enough to allow light through but not cut completely through the pumpkin walls.

From that point on, the levels of creativity just exploded.  Pumpkin stencils became available.  Painted pumpkins.  Pumpkins with props.  Pumpkins with costumes.  Upside down pumpkins.  Pumpkins eating other pumpkins.  Pumpkins with squash accessories.  Pumpkins with mum wigs and other plant accessories.

You get the idea.

Soooooo.  All of this pumpkin talk begs the question -- How are you decorating your pumpkins this year?

Happy Halloween from the whole scary Clark Kent Creations team!

Lets start with the basics here – what exactly is a pergola, and why do I need one?

Well, nobody NEEDS one, just like nobody needs a patio, or even a garden for that matter.  It’s a design element, meant to enhance a space and add value to your outdoor living space.

So what is a pergola, and what is used for?

The dictionary defines pergola as a structure usually consisting of parallel columns supporting an open roof of girders and cross rafters.

OK.  Fair enough, but I do recall learning in high school and college writing classes that the dictionary definition intro is an easy cop-out, and truth be told that definition doesn’t tell us much.  So how is a pergola used, and how is it going to help my patio or garden?

The purpose of the pergola is really more important.  And the purpose of the pergola is to provide a framework for climbing plants and vines, with the end goal of providing a nice natural-looking shady yet open space.

Traditionally the pergola has been a staple of Italian renaissance gardens, and certainly quite common at vineyards.  But over the past century or so, the pergola has enjoyed a renaissance of its own (you liked that tie-in, didn’t you …), becoming quite common in arts-and-crafts gardens.  

They’re perfectly suited for small garden spaces where shade from a large tree isn’t always an option, and a natural, sun-dappled, filtered shade is desired.  It is a great way to add a vertical dimension to an otherwise limited space.

The name “pergola” is often used interchangeably with “arbor”.  They can be large or small, free-standing or attached to nearby structures, part of a fence or entryway, used to define space, or used to hide nearby unsightly structures.  And with the right plants planted, they can also do a great job of muffling nearby street noise or other urban sounds.

So what are the right plants and vines to plant around a pegola?  Well basically anything that climbs.  Here in the Philadelphia region, my favorites are Clematis, Wisteria, Honeysuckle, and Morning Glory.  Ivy works great too, but it’s a bit too ubiquitous for my taste.  Climbing roses are beautiful , but if you’re in close proximity to people, keep in mind they do have nasty thorns.  There’s plenty of other great choices out there, ask your local garden center what may work for your pergola.

As for the design of the pergola itself, like any construction element in the garden, the sky’s the limit.  Have some fun with it, and don’t be afraid to get creative.

Here’s a couple more pergolas we built for clients in the past.

Have we piqued your interest?  Might you be interested in seeing how a pergola could add a new design element to your yard?  Give us a call or shoot us an email, and the discussion can begin.

If you’re thinking about a new patio, fencing project, or any other landscape construction project, there’s a lot of information to absorb and a lot of decisions that need to be made.  No doubt, it can all be a bit overwhelming as you begin the planning process.

One question that I get asked quite regularly during prospect phone calls and sales meetings is when the best time of year is to undertake a landscape construction project.

Are there advantages to doing it during certain times of year?  Are there times of year to avoid?  Does it matter at all?

Let’s start with the third part of those questions;  Yes, it does matter.  But how it matters really depends on your priorities, what’s important to you during the construction process, and when you want the project completed.

First, let’s take a quick look at the calendar.  Generally speaking, we’re working outside completing landscape construction projects beginning usually around the first of March, and typically ending about mid-December.  Those dates can be tweaked a bit depending on how the year’s weather is behaving, but those are pretty accurate average dates. 
 
No matter what, we won’t be out doing masonry or fence work during January or the first half of February.  Even the mildest of winters can turn nasty in a heartbeat, and the last thing anybody wants is a half-completed construction project sitting idly while a foot of snow melts, or the ground heaves, or it turns into a muddy mess.  Better off to wait until the winter threat has at least subsided.

So take away  the winter, and you’re left with nine, maybe ten months at the most to get your project completed.  Still a pretty broad range.

Rest assured, if we’re out doing a project it’s only because we’re confident enough in the weather, and are taking any seasonal precautions that need to be made.  So at this point the “when” of the project is entirely up to you.

But there are some things to consider:
 

• When do you want the project completed by?  If you want that new patio installed for your child’s graduation party, don’t call us on Memorial Day.  If there’s an end-goal in play, allow enough time for all the i’s to be dotted and t’s to be crossed, and the project to be completed in a thorough, detailed manner.
   
• Are there seasonal discounts?  We don’t offer seasonal discounts, but I have heard of some companies offering discounted prices to fill schedules during slower times of year.  It’s certainly worth asking anybody you’re soliciting bids from.
   
• Are there times of year when we’ll have to wait longer for availability?  Absolutely.  Once the really nice spring weather hits, a backlog queue of up to four months isn’t uncommon, although we certainly try to keep that time to a minimum.  Mid-to-late summer availability can often be pretty quick.  There’s  usually a bump in business around Labor Day, so fall availability can often be delayed but not as significantly as the spring.
   
• Can customers pick their construction dates?  To some extent, yes.  If you call us early enough and leave plenty of lead time, it certainly allows you some flexibility.  Keep in mind we are busy doing other projects while your project is in the queue, and there is always some  uncertainty in project length due to weather, unforeseen site conditions, etc.  Scheduling for “mid-August” is realistic.  Scheduling for “Aug 12th” is not.
   
• Do clients need to be home  during the construction process?  No, but it is advisable.  I’ve  had clients in the past want to schedule their projects for weeks when they’re away at the Shore or on vacation.  First, as mentioned above, picking the exact day we begin isn’t  always an option.  Secondly, there  are often day-to-day decisions that need to be made or approved during the construction process.  Sure, it’s  tempting to want to be “out of Dodge” while the yard is torn up and the driveway is full of equipment.  But as I always say, the most successful projects are the ones where there is open and frequent communication.  If  you’re available by phone, or are simply an hour’s drive away at the Shore we can probably make it work.  But if you’re going off the grid to some exotic locale, it’s probably best to wait until you return.
   
• Can I schedule a project for next spring?  Absolutely.  From a scheduling perspective, I always like to have one or two projects in the can ready to go once the winter weather breaks.  And a March start  date means you’ll be ready to enjoy and use the final product by the nice April weather.
   
• Entire process – sales cycle to final sweep.  How long will it take?  Wow, that’s a tough question, with a lot of factors to consider.  A lot depends on your level of responsiveness.  Are there multiple revisions and design changes? Are you first calling us in April or August?  Are we talking about a 600 square foot patio, or a simple front entry path?  There’s just too many factors to answer that question effectively, but hopefully the above points will help give you a sense of turn-around.

So, in summary, the best advice I can offer is to call us early, well in advance of the desired completion dates.  It will allow you to make sure you’re fully on board with any design layouts or material selections, allow you a bit of flexibility in scheduling projects, and allow us the necessary time to complete your project meticulously to the highest standards.

For additional questions or to begin the process for your upcoming project, give us a call.  We look forward to speaking with you!

For those of you familiar with my website and my blogs, you may recognize the fence pictured to the left.  It was a fence we built a few years back at the request of a local couple who was looking for a unique fence to complement their artfully renovated home.

They first approached me looking for some contemporary fence design ideas.  After a bit of collaboration I showed them some pictures of a deck railing I built a few years earlier when we still lived in California.  We tweaked the design a bit, and they gave me the green light on a custom design that to this day remains one of my favorite projects.

Earlier this summer they contacted me again asking me to come over and take a look at some changes they were considering on the property. I was happy to swing by.

The house itself doesn't appear overly unique from the street.  It's a 1950's rancher, that admittedly sits on a nice piece of property atop a small rocky ridge.  It's well built no doubt, but aside from some really fun garden décor the house doesn't stick out amidst the neighborhood.

But their artistic taste has led to some great changes.  A large portion of the interior of the home was ripped out when they first moved in to give it a real urban loft feel as you enter -- not what you'd expect from a 1950s rancher.

And the outside is accented with numerous items that definitely give the yard a unique flavor and personalizes the space.

Last spring they worked with an architect to design a custom shed that is like no other shed I've ever seen.  The architect did a great job of working with the clean lines and modern feel of the design, while fitting a useful structure onto an admittedly tight space.

My clients were looking to extend the original fence back behind the newly constructed shed, as well as looking to continue the same fence design as a screen to conceal their air conditioning units and conceal their newly constructed compost bins.

Easy enough.  And plenty of fun.

It's always great to work with clients who are fun, creative, and think outside the box.  My personal garden design taste always seems to lean toward the whimsical -- after all isn't the whole point of a garden to have fun and enjoy outdoor space?  All while putting your own personal stamp on nature's beauty?

And this yard pulls that off like no other.

A few of the more unique design items include an old carousel horse perched atop a rock ledge, and standing against an old stump.  Their mailbox?  Well look at the two photos below and see if you can figure out where the structure that houses the mailbox came from.

An old spigot collection embedded in concrete?  Check.  Old drums used as vegetable and herb planters?  Check. Carved stumps and totem polls.  Check.  With some great custom stonework to match the natural stone ledge that the house is built upon.  It's a great site in its raw form, but the garden design highlights everything I believe garden design is all about.  Fun and creativity.

Admittedly not everybody has the artistic vision to come up with ideas like this.  In this case the clients are both artistic professionals.  But if you're looking to come up with something fun, something that will get people talking, and something that will be built first and foremost with quality and workmanship in mind, give us a call.

I'd love to talk up some fun ideas and see where can take your yard.