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Some landscapes look beautiful from the street but rarely get used. Others feel disconnected from the home itself — outdated layouts, too much hardscape, or planting that no longer fits the property. This project was an opportunity to completely rethink how the homeowners experienced their outdoor spaces every day.

One of the funniest things about landscaping is this: There’s actually no scientific category called “weed.” A weed is really just a plant growing somewhere we don’t want it. That dandelion popping up in your lawn? A weed.The same dandelion growing in a wildflower field? Suddenly people think it’s charming.

May is one of our favorite times of year at M.J. Design Associates. Our crews have been busy planting summer containers and beds all across Columbus, and while everything already looks beautiful, this is truly just the beginning. Some of these plants are going to completely transform by August, and honestly, watching that happen is one of the best parts of the season.

If you've been spending more time outside this spring, whether in your garden, on a trail, or just in the backyard, there's something worth knowing before you head out the door. Ohio's tick landscape is changing, and a new invasive species has quietly been making itself at home across the state.

As the season gets underway, we spend a lot of time thinking about how to care for landscapes, but also how to do it responsibly. Sustainability isn't just a trend for us. It's something we're actively working toward in our own homes, in the field, and at our shop. We're not perfect, but we are intentional.

If you've ever noticed plants struggling in a newly installed landscape—whether it's around a new home, along a roadway, or in a park or public space—you're not alone. In many cases, those issues don't come from a lack of maintenance. They start much earlier, during installation.

Spring in Ohio is one of the most unpredictable times of year. One week brings sunshine and growth, the next brings steady rain and saturated lawns. While everything is starting to green up quickly, it also creates one of the biggest challenges in lawn care: when (and when not) to mow.

Two we’re keeping a close eye on right now in Ohio are the Spotted Lanternfly and the White Pine Weevil. Neither is a reason to panic, but both are worth understanding, especially if you want to stay ahead of potential damage.

One of our favorite times of the year is finally here! Our full seasonal team is back, and that means one thing: things are about to get busy (in the best way possible).

For M.J. Design Associates owners Molly and Joel John, a recent journey through Rwanda and Tanzania became something more than travel. It was an experience that shifted perspective on nature, on people, and on the quiet responsibility we all carry to protect the world around us.

There’s something about the first signs of spring that makes everyone ready to refresh their outdoor spaces. After a long Ohio winter (and let’s be honest… a few fake springs), adding a fresh seasonal pot by your front door or patio is one of the easiest ways to bring things back to life.

Winter in Ohio has a reputation. Gray skies. Snow-covered beds. Bare branches. But if you know where to look, this is one of the most quietly beautiful times in the landscape. A thoughtfully designed garden doesn’t disappear in winter, it shifts. Structure, texture, bark, and early blooms take their turn in the spotlight.

Winter deer damage is one of the most common landscape issues homeowners notice in February, especially on evergreen shrubs like taxus, arborvitae, and boxwood. If your shrubs look chewed, uneven, or strangely sculpted, deer are likely the culprit.

You know the feeling. You’re on hold. Again. An automated voice cheerfully reminds you, “Your call is important to us,” while you stare at your phone in disbelief. You’ve already explained the issue. You’ve pressed every button. You’ve been transferred more than once. This is call number 26. And still, no one has taken ownership.

Landscaping is about more than the work we do today, it’s about the people who will shape the industry tomorrow. One of the ways we invest in that future is through our internship program, which gives emerging professionals the opportunity to learn, grow, and gain real-world experience alongside our team.

We often talk about the importance of community in our own lives—family, neighbors, coworkers, and the people who help support us through hard seasons. What many people don’t realize is that trees rely on community in much the same way.

Plants are going to grow the way they want to grow. Period. Every plant has a genetic blueprint, and it doesn’t care what we think it should look like. The goal is simple: work with the plant, not against it because when you wrestle with nature, YOU . NEVER . WIN.

In an industry built around early mornings, long days, and physically demanding work, the winter shutdown serves an important purpose, one that often goes unseen by those outside the field.

As 2025 comes to a close, we find ourselves reflecting on a year shaped by hard work, meaningful partnerships, and the people who made it all possible.

As another season comes to a close, December gives us the opportunity to pause and reflect not just on the projects we completed, but on the people who made them possible. Our annual holiday party is one of our favorite traditions at M.J. Design because it allows us to do just that.