In summer of 2020, we were contracted with creating a design for this large property in Orange County that would tie into the existing fabric of the area. The main features of the first phase of construction included two dry-stacked serpentine walls, built using locally sourced boulders, an earthen berm and mass native plantings. Serpentine forms were the drivers of the design, bringing organic shapes into an otherwise flat space. We began with a stone retaining wall in the backyard that would help mitigate erosion of the existing slope and offer an edge to the property. The slope was heavily planted with edibles, ferns and other shade tolerant species. After completing that wall, we moved on to a larger one in the front corner of the property. The free standing wall would snake around, forming a secluded space for the homeowners to enjoy. Trees were planted among the curves of the wall that will eventually grow to provide shade and privacy. To further provide visual privacy from the road, a berm was built and densely planted on the exterior of the wall.

Phase two of construction started in summer of 2021, and featured a dimensional bluestone patio, an agricultural enclosure, and a large orchard and meadow planting in the front yard. The patio was built as an extension of the existing backyard patio and houses a sunken fire pit, maximizing usable space. We constructed an enclosed agricultural space with wood chip paths and filled it with compost for the homeowners to plant. It is bordered by a ‘berry room’, or a formation of edible berry species that will eventually fill in to create an edible nook. Lastly, we installed the meadow and orchard in the center of the front yard. We began by tilling the desired area to loosen the soil and expose the lawn roots so it would quickly die off. We then spread compost and straw on top to prevent soil erosion before planting. Installation of the fruit trees, which include paw paws (Assimina triloba), was first, forming the initial shape of the future orchard nook. After tilling again, we planted hundreds of native perennial plugs, including bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), blue vervain (Verbena hastata), and joe-pye weed (Eutrochium purpureum), that will fill out into a colorful wildflower meadow.