Focus — The Pros at Home
ILCA Visits Industry Members at Home Nina A. Koziol
Editor’s Note: This is another in a series of articles that feature the home landscapes of green industry professionals—ILCA members, plant breeders, nursery owners, public garden staff and educators. After all, who wouldn’t like a little peak at what peers are doing around their own homes?
Fresh Start
She started her landscape business in 2011 and her family moved into a 1927 four-square in Oak Park 14 years ago. The lot is 50 feet by 175 feet. It wasn’t a pretty sight but she saw all the possibilities. “The landscape was overgrown with weedy trees and the patio and walkways were in terrible disrepair.” Each year she has focused on improving one section 2020 was a of the property. “I started with the creative year for spendfront of the house ing time at home—outbecause everyone could doors. “I feel like I see that. Another year used every square inch we needed more space so of my garden to add people could spread space for my children out.” Last year she added to study and relax while a fire pit, which created remote learning,” says an outdoor zone for her Renee Garrett of Garrett kids where they could Design—Residential safely interact with a few Landscapes in Oak friends during the panPark. demic. “I encouraged everyHer clients had simione to tinker in the garlar ideas. “They needed den to get the edge off outdoor space for their the hard days. The best families and they’re very part of the stay-at-home willing to invest in their order for my family house.” One of the projwas having extra hands ects she did last summer available to weed—usuwas the result of a client ally a low priority after cancelling a big vacation working long hours.” because of the pandemic. She was the only one “They put the money into leaving the house, so their back yard—a 10-bythose tasks were left to 15-foot main patio next her teenagers, Reid and to the garage. We put in Nora. “I was not alone artificial turf with a puttrying to balance the ting green for their kids.” high demand for landAfter working all day, scaping and keeping the Garrett has little time (or Renee Garrett’s back garden is a low-maintenance place family happy. It was a energy) for gardening at for entertaining and relaxing. great year for business, Group home. “Like most of but tough in so many (continued on page 44) other ways.” The Landscape Contractor 42 April 2021
Like many of her clients,
