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Front Landscape Design Critique: Georgia Zone 7

New subdivision, naked front yard. Wants forest canopy feel. Clay soil, Bermuda sod full of weeds. Two-year soil amendment failed. Moving two October Maples. Expanding beds. Drought-prone. No irrigation planned. Water-wise plants chosen. Prefers plants only, no hardscape. Has plan/3D renderings. Seven specific design questions.

Expert Critique Summary

Missing evergreen structure: Design needs strong evergreen framework for winter interest and cohesion
Leaf management critical: Large canopy leaves kill grass—remove promptly
Mulch protocol: Clear weeds FIRST, then bark mulch. Mulch on weeds feeds weeds.
Lawn reset: Glyphosate spray and restart—builder likely skipped pre-emergent, causing weed seed bank
Lawns are unnatural: Require "unnatural processes" (herbicides) to establish

Jonathan
www.ecologicagardens.com

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