Our Blogs

A Q&A with Landscape Designer, Lauren Engle When the weather turns cold, many homeowners assume outdoor projects should wait until spring. But in the world of landscape design, winter is actually the smartest time to begin planning. From design development to securing permits, starting now sets your project up for a smoother, faster, and more…

There’s a special kind of anticipation that comes with fall planting. You tuck bulbs into the soil when the days are getting shorter and the air turns crisp, trusting that months from now, they’ll deliver the first signs of spring. And when they do, it feels like your garden is putting on a show just…

When most people think about planting trees and shrubs, they picture springtime—the season of fresh beginnings and new growth. But for seasoned landscape professionals, we know fall is, in fact, the best time to start planting. Wondering why? Read on to learn why fall is the smart and strategic time to get new trees and…

Learn how our outdoor design plan transformed a city backyard into a refined outdoor retreat. Our Goal: Revitalize a problematic backyard into a refined outdoor retreat Built in 1874, Paul’s historic house in Lancaster City was originally a tobacco-drying shed, later turned into a barber shop. Paul bought the property in the 1970s and made…

Transform your small city yard into a private retreat with expert design tips—featuring insights from our recent Lancaster City project. Not every dream backyard needs rolling hills or wide-open acreage. In fact, some of the most rewarding landscapes we’ve designed are tucked into compact city lots—full of charm, purpose, and smart use of space. Take…

One thing’s clear in 2025: homeowners want more from their outdoor spaces. Landscaping is more than curb appeal—it’s creating environments that are beautiful, functional, sustainable, and designed for everyday living. Whether you’re dreaming of a peaceful garden retreat or an entertainer’s paradise, here are the top landscaping trends our Eshelman Mill landscape designers are seeing…