Questions & answers

Milton and the surrounding area. If you’re close by and not sure, call Mark and ask.

Tell us a little about the project. The form takes a couple of minutes. Mark then gets in touch to set up a visit, walks the yard with you, talks through ideas and follows up with a quote.

Spring and summer fill up first, so the earlier the better. Winter is a good time to plan and design for a spring start.

It depends on size and materials, so we don’t publish prices. The consult form asks for a rough budget so Mark can suggest what fits, and bigger ideas can be built in phases.

A scaled-down version of the limestone cliffs that run past Milton, built in your yard from natural stone and plants, often with water running through it. It can be a single outcrop in a garden bed or a whole hillside.

No. On a flat lot we build up the grade to create height. On a sloped lot we use what’s there.

Yes. Waterfalls, streams and ponds can all be part of it, and lighting makes the stone and water glow at night.

Mark’s shorthand for a calm, Japanese-inspired garden: shaped evergreens, stone, gravel and a few carefully placed trees. It suits small lots because it looks good all year and doesn’t need much room.

Yes. Tell us how much time you want to spend on it, and the plant choices, spacing and mulch are planned around that.

Yes, from a privacy row along the fence to a single feature tree.

The large scale used for outdoor garden railways, about 1:22.5. The trains are built to run outside and are big enough to enjoy from across the yard.

No. You can start from scratch, bring a collection you already have, or build the landscape now and add trains later.

Yes. Low-voltage lighting can light the track, the scenery and tiny buildings so the layout comes alive after dark.

Mark trained with In-Lite, a Dutch maker of low-voltage LED garden lighting, and carries their sample kit.

Yes. Mark brings the sample kit to your yard at dusk and sets fixtures in place so you can see the effect on your own trees, paths and patio before anything is installed.

Low-voltage systems run at 12 volts, far below household current, which makes them a good fit for gardens, families and pets.

Both work well. Natural stone has a one-of-a-kind look; pavers and large slabs give clean lines and even colour. Mark will talk through how each suits your house and budget.

Yes. Front walkways, stone steps and landings are a big part of what we do.

It’s a popular choice for dog runs: no mud and no brown spots. It needs an occasional rinse.

Yes, with cups and flags. They’re a favourite.

Very little: an occasional rinse, a brush to keep the blades standing, and clearing leaves in the fall.