“In less than a week, they transformed a dirt pit into an elaborate backyard paradise”
— Mark S, Stamford CT
A Private Paradise in Less than a Week
| STAMFORD, CT |
Time it Took to Accomplish Project: 4 days
The condition of the landscape, in serious need of refurbishment.
Our clients Mark and Steve were proud owners of a new home in a cozy section of Stamford, CT. Dissatisfied with the underwhelming state of the landscape, however, they hired our team to create a literal paradise right in their backyard.
The job would entail:
Replacing an existing rock bed with a brand new pond.
Adding a garden bed beside the driveway and redesigning the existing front garden bed.
Adding a custom-crafted pergola at the entrance.
Phase I: Installing the Pond
The existing rock pile where a pond was to be installed.
Mark and Stephen were specifically interested in adding a pond to their backyard, especially since the existing one on the property was quite an eyesore.
The landscaping around it amounted to an invasive grass with weeds and rocks. And the water surface area for the pond itself was about 1′ x 3′ and about 5′ around. It was a mountain of rocks with a tiny, barren waterfall.
We started by disassembling the mountain of rocks and recycling these to create a foundation for the pond of their dreams. It took only a few hours to reach the existing foundation. In only 4 days, we built a new 10′ x 15′ pond 3′ deep pond.
The AJM team, halfway through the pond project.
The pond near completion.
We installed a natural stone staircase to service the filter. Then creeping, climbing, and cascading perennials were added that would fill in and spill over the rock wall in the back of the pond. The addition of these perennials created the “natural aging” look we were going for— as if the pond had been here for centuries.
Complete with a split/double waterfall, and beautiful perennials, grasses, and shrubs surrounding the pond to give it a more natural look.
A finished pond to enjoy during hot summer days and cool evenings.
Phase II: A New Garden Bed and Redesign of an Existing Bed
The condition of the existing front yard garden bed.
After the pond was installed, the focus turned to the front of the property. Mark and Stephen wanted to bring life to the existing underwhelming garden bed in their front yard. They also wanted a brilliant garden that lined the edge of the driveway, acting as a spectacular welcome to their home.
They envisioned lots of color and various tropical foliage that lent itself to warmer climates. But to help make sure their garden flourished during infamous New England cool seasons, Joe and Denise offered some alternatives to their plant choices that would still meet their desires.
Mark and Stephen would still get the rich variety of color they were looking for but in plants that would thrive in Connecticut climates.
Denise hard at work planting perennials in the new garden bed alongside the driveway.
Our team got straight to work tilling the grass and creating a new garden bed, supplementing the soil with mulch where needed.
This new bed would contain bulbs and perennials such as peonies, larkspur, coneflower, Veronica speedwell, and assorted ground over. In fact, a total of 300 bulbs and 150 perennials would be planted in this new bed alone!
Our team also got to work replacing the dry, dead, and desperate front lawn. The AJM Earth team tilled the front yard grass and installed sod. This rich, healthy grass would grow beautifully with a little continued care.
Next came the redesign of the front garden bed. We removed the existing shrubs that Mark and Stephen did not want and replaced them with Rhododendrons, perennials, and some evergreens.
As spring turned to summer, these stunning front yard garden beds filled out as promised. It bursted with a wide variety of rich colors and quickly became the talk of the block!
New front garden bed and new lawn.
New garden bed lining the driveway.
Phase III: Installing the Pergola
Denise Martin, head of design, discussed options with Mark and Stephen covering the overall look that they wanted with their pergola. It would be installed over the pathway leading to their front door. Denise sketched up a concept that would be easy to install and added an extra dose of charm and personality to their front entranceway.
One of the AJM Earth team members handcrafted and erected the new pergola in just one day.
Although Denise, Joe, and the AJM Earth team would continue to provide year-round maintenance to Mark and Stephen’s property, this project took a total of just four days to complete.
Mark and Stephen were thrilled with the outcome of their landscape redesign project. The private paradise they had always dreamed of had finally become a reality, thanks to the AJM Earth team.
“It’s been a dedicated, caring partnership. We got very lucky when we found them and remain in very good hands.
“We recently had Denise and Joe of AJM replace a backyard water feature with a new, expanded pond/waterfall feature.
At first we weren’t sure we wanted to take on the expense, but Denise and Joe presented us with a stunning design, one too good to pass up.
“It was obvious that Denise and Joe Martin not only offered a full service package of landscape design, hard scape design, execution and maintenance, but that no client was too small or unimportant.
“With a few minor adjustments, they worked with us to make the cost affordable and we gave them the green light to proceed with the project.
“The Martins were never too busy to answer phone calls, emails, and texts right away. They lavished us with time and attention every step of the way.
“We were amazed at at the attention we got. We can’t imagine any other landscaper spending as much time with us, being as available as Denise was, or taking the care with our property as if it were her own to get everything just right. ‘
“Whenever there were unforeseen challenges along the way, they persevered, day and night, to make sure that the design was executed as promised. They always made us feel that our project was their passion.
“In less than a week, they transformed a dirt pit into an elaborate backyard paradise.
“We have worked with them continuously for the past 3 years in transforming the rest of our outdoor space and once again, they brought the same great design sense, dedication to detail, and pride to this project.
“Whatever they do is a labor of love. They care deeply about making you happy and strive at all times to meet a high standard. Then they follow up regularly, long after the project is complete, to make sure that everything continues to go well.
“We can’t imagine working with a more talented, dedicated, patient, and kind landscaper. Clearly, we made the right choice.”
— Mark & Stephen | STAMFORD, CT
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