Employee Highlight - Grant Smith

“We appreciate all that you do!”

We want to officially recognize & thank the Wildwood Team for all they do to make WWLD a great place to work.

Hard at work - bringing outdoor living to life! 

Grant Smith is in the spotlight this month!  He is our lead Landscape Designer and salesperson at Wildwood.  His creativity, big picture thinking, ambition, ability to multi-task and kindheartedness are a few of the amazing attributes that he brings to the Wildwood team.

Grant is a skilled Landscape Designer.  He thoroughly enjoys his work and it shines through to the end of each project.  His strengths include listening and attentiveness to each customer, technical construction knowledge, understanding of design, and most important his drive to learn and become better each day.

We are regularly impressed with his willingness to dive in and take things to the next level. 

Grant & his future bride.  Congrats Guys! 

Learn more about Grant - 

NAME:

Grant Smith

JOB:

Lead Designer - Original hire Date: Jan. 2012 (on the crew)  Lead Designer hire date Jan 2014.  

INSIGHTS:

"I am driven to design jaw dropping landscapes, and to make sure they turn out as awesome as I imagined." 

How do you want to be remembered?  "...hardworking, loyal, and an honest person." 

HOBBIES/INTERESTS:

Where can we find you when you aren't at work?  "Fishing"  

"Traveling and adventure keep my life interesting."

WILDWOOD SPECIALTIES:

"designing, sales, planning and problem solving."  

2016 in Review

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
”

— Eleanor Roosevelt

2016 has been an exciting year for Wildwood!

In the past year, we’ve seen rapid growth. We have worked with a variety of new clients, broke ground with several new employees, and have a fun surprise in the works.  Thanks to everyone who contributed to a successful 2016!

 Take a look at a small collection of this years work below.  

Employee Highlight - Fernando Garcia

We appreciate the hard work our employees do every day, we want to officially recognize & thank them for everything they do to make Wildwood Land Design a great place to work.

Fernando Garcia is in the spotlight this month!  His sense of humor, reliability and consistent hard work are just a few of the traits that make him an asset to have on the team.

We appreciate the effort and energy he brings to a job site.

Learn more about Fernando - 

NAME:

Fernando Garcia

JOB:

Landscape Installer - Hire Date: May 2009

INSIGHTS:

What would be impossible for you to give up? "Ha Ha Ha, that's a good question!" 

How do you want to be remembered?  "..as a good hard worker, team player & good person." 

HOBBIES/INTERESTS:

Where can we find you when you aren't at work?  "with my kids and girlfriend."  

"I grew up in Mexico, moved here to be close to family and Wildwood has been my only employer in the states.  7.5 years now!"

WILDWOOD SPECIALTIES:

Fernando is a talented landscape installer, we especially appreciate his irrigation knowledge and planting skills.  We love that he rarely complains and his prankster attitude makes work fun!   Thanks Fernando.

Employee Highlight - Matt Lieb

We appreciate the back breaking work our employees do every day, we want to officially recognize & thank them for all that they do to make Wildwood Land Design a great place to work.

Matt Lieb is in the spotlight this month!  

His talent, experience, and reliability are the kind of desirable traits that we want to celebrate.

He is currently on leave to recovery from back surgery.  GET WELL SOON MATT! 

We are impressed by his knack to lead the landscape team and his friendly manner.

Learn more about Matt - 

NAME:

Matt Lieb

JOB:

Landscape Foreman - Hire Date: Jan 2002 (Wildwood's First!)

INSIGHTS:

"I love animals and being outdoors." 

During your time at Wildwood, what are you most proud?  "I have a green thumb and a good understanding of pruning plants to keep them healthy and looking their best." 

HOBBIES/INTERESTS:

Where can we find you when you aren't at work?  "Playing with my dog, fishing, or paddle boarding."  

WILDWOOD SPECIALTIES:

"Plant care."

Fall Clean-up Checklist

Fall Clean-up 

Now is the time to prepare your yard for the next growing season. Cooling temperatures slow aboveground growth, and moister soil encourages strong root development. Removing spent stems, dead branches, and heavy leaf cover protects plants' overall health. 

Aerate the Lawn

Feed Your Grass

Cutting back on fertilizer in late summer prevents perennials from wasting energy on leaf production. But grass roots keep growing until the ground gets down to around 40 degrees, now is a good time to feed them. 

Mow a Final Time

Disease has a harder time with shorter grass and the fallen leaves blow more easily across the lawn because they have nothing to latch on to.

Collect Leaves

To make fallen leaves easier to transport, rake them onto a plastic tarp. You could add them to your compost. Flip the leaf pile every week with a garden fork to aerate; the "black gold" that results next year can nourish lawns, flower beds, and shrub borders.

Plant New Shrubs

In many parts of the country, planting shrubs in early fall gives the plants a head start at establishing roots in the season's cool, moist soil. The basics: Dig a hole (twice the diameter and to a depth of 2 inches less than the full height of the root ball); position the shrub in the hole (make sure the top of the root ball remains at, not below, ground level); fill in with soil; water to settle soil; add more soil to top of root ball (don't pack soil down with foot); mulch.

Trim Dead Limbs

Lifeless branches can succumb to winter snow and winds, endangering you and your home. "For big jobs, call in the pros," says Roger. But you can protect small ornamental trees from further damage by cutting cracked, loose, and diseased limbs close to (but not flush with) the trunk; leave the wounds exposed to heal.

Cut Back Perennials

A little work now results in healthier spring beds: Remove annuals, as well as the snails and slugs that feed on them, which breed in fall. Trim perennial foliage down to the ground; this sends energy to the roots, for next season. Every three years, divide crowded tuberous plants, like irises and daylilies: More space means more flowers.

Mulch Young Plants

Give new beds a layer of mulch—chopped leaves, weed-free straw, or wood chips—after a light frost, but before the ground freezes. Till decomposed layers of organic mulch into the soil, then apply a fresh 2- to 4-inch layer (more will smother roots) to keep new plantings warm and to control water runoff and soil erosion.

Dry Out Irrigation Systems

Standing water can freeze and crack irrigation tubing. For simple systems, shut the water off, unscrews the tap-joint adapter, and, use a high-volume, low-pressure setting on his compressor, inserts an air hose where the system normally attaches to the tap.

Employee Highlight - Brian King

We appreciate the hard work our employees do every day, we want to officially recognize & thank them for all they do to make Wildwood Land Design a great place to work.

Brian King is in the spotlight this month!  His diligence, positive attitude, perseverance and commitment are remarkable traits that we want to celebrate.

We are impressed by his willingness to lead the hardscape team while looking under every "rock" for opportunities to make sure the customer is happy.

Learn more about Brian - 

NAME:

Brian King

JOB:

Hardscape Foreman - Hire Date: April 2011

INSIGHTS:

"When I am at a clients house I have 3 things on my mind.  Making sure they are (1) involved, (2)understand, and (3) LOVE their new outdoor living space!" 

How do you want to be remembered?  "As a great teacher/leader.  As a good man." 

HOBBIES/INTERESTS:

Where can we find you when you aren't at work?  "On the lake, in the woods, or at home with my lady."  

"It would be impossible for me to give up hunting and fishing b/c I have been doing it all of my life."

WILDWOOD SPECIALTIES:

"I have a knack for measurements, a lot of knowledge of hardscapes, and am skilled at grading / drainage problems."

Ideas for Football Party's

While being in the stadium to watch the game is exciting, you might prefer to watch it on TV. We are lucky enough to live in a mild climate where the television can be outside and you can enjoy football season while lounging in your luxury landscape. 

So let's take a look at some outdoor spaces perfect for watching and relaxing during all of the upcoming games.  Go Vols! 

Relax outdoors in the cool fall weather.  This lawn living room is simple, clean and modern.  Great for small spaces and budgets. 

Are you longing for a space to retreat to during halftime?  Wildwood can work with you from start to finish.  

The creative design team at Wildwood can work with your ideas and budget to help incorporate a TV, kitchen and comfortable seating.   If you can dream it - we can build it.

Make a natural stone walkway to escape the chaos of a tight game (like overtime against Appalachian State). 

Employee Highlight of the Month: Meet James!

James joined the team in April of 2012 and is known as "The Hammer".  He brings compassion and attention to details to Wildwood.  Here are a few of our favorite exerts from his questionnaire:

1.  What is the one problem you are best at solving?  "Turning bad attitudes into good attitudes"

2. What are you most passionate about professionally?  "I like seeing a project through from start to finish, see it come together and knowing that I had a hand in it!" 

3.  When you are not working, where can we find you?  "Rock climbing or backpacking"

4. How long have you been in the landscape industry?  "About 10 years"

5.  Any volunteer activities that you are crazy about?  "Jail ministry"

6.  What would be impossible for you to give up?  "My wife and kids"

7.  How do you want to be remembered?  "As someone who always did the right thing."

Wildwood is HIRING!

We are hiring! Are you tired of long hours and low pay? If so,

Come join the fun & talented team at Wildwood. Hourly pay and monthly bonuses. Paid Holidays. Paid Overtime! 

Duties:
Prepare installation site
Operate power equipment (such as tractors, chainsaws, sod cutters and bobcats)
Install plants, landscape lighting, and hardscape features (including retaining walls, paving stones and ponds)
Haul and spread topsoil, stone, mulch and other landscape materials
Irrigation
Hardscape / Paver installation
Operate tools, including rakes, shovels, saws, axes and shears
Rake leaves and prune shrubs as needed

What we expect from our staff:

-Reliability
-Experience
-Honesty
-An eye for detail and the ability to follow direction
-Good peer relationships and a good relationship with management

Apply at 205 Fox Rd Knoxville, TN 37922 between 9 - 2.

Native plant design tool for homeowners

Keeping Tennessee's water clean, one yard at a time!

Smart Yard — a yard that is in harmony with Tennessee's native flora, soil and topography.

Tennessee Smart Yards (formerly Tennessee Yards & Neighborhoods) is a University of Tennessee-led program that guides and assists Tennessee residents and neighborhood associations on practices they can apply in their yards and common spaces to create healthier living spaces and communities.  Nine fundamental principles of sustainability serve as the cornerstone for the program and are being incorporated into an ever-broadening selection of popular and practical workshops taught by UT Extension and water resource professionals.  Our courses aim to help homeowners achieve a landscape that reflects their values, desires and needs, while ensuring the protection of our state's waterways.

You don't have to be an expert gardener or landscaper to create a Tennessee Smart Yard. All it takes is a willingness to learn and a desire to build a yard that is based on its nine principles found in this UTIA handbook:

• Right plant, right place
• Manage Soils and Mulch
• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
• Water efficiently
• Use fertilizer appropriately
• Manage yard pests
• Reduce storm water runoff and its pollutants
• Provide for wildlife
• Protect water's edge

Read more to learn why a "Smart Yard" is right for you and our environment.

Click below to view our Native Plant database!

New Look. Same Great Service.

We are pleased to announce the launch of the newly redesigned website.  

wildwoodlanddesign.com

Dogwood Arts - Rhythm n' Blooms & Wildwood

Wildwood is happy to contribute to the Dogwood Arts Festival and Rhythm n' Blooms again in 2016.  

Celebrate Knoxville's art, culture & natural beauty.  

EVENTS & EXHIBITS

ART IN PUBLIC PLACES

April 1, 2016 – March 10, 2017 : A world-class exhibition of large-scale outdoor sculptures enlivens downtown Knoxville, the McGhee Tyson Airport, and Oak Ridge.

REGIONAL FINE ART EXHIBITION

April 1-29 Progressive emerging and professional regional artists exhibit their work in a variety of genres.

A VERY SPECIAL ARTS FESTIVAL

April 6: Celebrating the artistic endeavors of Knox County school-aged students having diverse abilities.

SYNERGY: STUDENT ART EXHIBITION

April 7-22: Knoxville’s next generation of artists is on display, featuring the work of gifted art students from area schools.

SYNERGY: EAST TENNESSEE ART EDUCATOR EXHIBITION

April 7-22: In its second year, this is an exhibit promoting the work of East Tennessee’s finest K-12 art teachers and current art interns/student teachers from public schools, private schools and academies.

RHYTHM N’ BLOOMS

April 8-10: Set against the historic backdrop of Knoxville’s Old City, this three-day festival spotlights performances from the most exciting emerging acts in American roots music – encompassing blues, country, jazz, rock, indie, and everything in between. Pass required.

CHALK WALK

April 9: A day-long street painting festival that turns downtown Knoxville sidewalks into a vast canvas for the region’s most talented professional and student artists.

BIKES & BLOOMS

April 9 & 10: Produced along with Legacy Parks Foundation, experience the Dogwood trails the lean, green way – on a bicycle by way of an organized ride led by Tennessee Valley Bicycles.

DOGWOOD LUNCHEON

April 15: An invitation-only event kicking off the opening of the Dogwood Trails and Open Gardens.

ARTITUDE: A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CANCER SUPPORT COMMUNITY

April 15: Join us for our annual silent auction event showcasing one-of-a-kind, up-cycled and unique works for the home and garden at the Cancer Support Community

DOGWOOD TRAILS, OPEN GARDENS, AND CAMERA SITES

April 15-30: Explore more than 60 miles of trails, open gardens, camera sites, and historic homes as you enjoy a walk, bike, or drive.

 

DOGWOOD ART DETOUR

April 16-17: Artists studio trails take you behind the scenes of local artists’ creative processes and into their working studios

DOGWOOD ARTS FEATURED GARDENS

April 23 & 24: Select homes with distinguished and remarkable gardens open their grounds to the public for a short time only.

HIKES & BLOOMS

April 23 & 24: Produced along with Legacy Parks Foundation, these interpretive hikes will highlight interesting facts, features, and flora about unique locations.

DOGWOOD ARTS FESTIVAL ON MARKET SQUARE

April 29-May 1: Formerly known as Market Square Art Fair, several blocks of downtown Knoxville becomes a dynamic street festival encompassing high-quality visual, performing, culinary, and children’s arts.

ART SLAM

April 30: A fast-paced art competition where adult and youth artists design wild and fun adirondack chairs in Krutch Park to be auctioned

WALKING TRAILS

Open Dawn to Dusk: Focusing on the idea of stepping out into our community, the trails are at least one-mile in length and folks are encouraged to walk, run, or bike these trails.