When we bought our latest flip property, the front of the house was completely overgrown. Five large trees and bushes hadn’t been maintained in years—they were scraggly, outdated, and blocking the entire view of the home. It looked messy and neglected, and we couldn’t wait to clear it all out and start fresh. After removing everything, we knew we wanted to add thoughtful landscaping that would instantly boost the curb appeal—and that’s when we turned to Earl May’s DIY Dynamic Design. This service completely transformed how we approached the front yard and gave us expert guidance we didn’t even realize we needed.
What Is Earl May’s DIY Dynamic Design?
Earl May’s DIY Dynamic Design is a personalized landscaping consultation that gives you expert guidance while you handle the planting yourself. It’s designed for homeowners, DIYers, and even flippers who want professional landscape advice without hiring a full-service designer or landscaper.
Here’s how it works: You bring in photos, measurements, and a simple sketch of the space you want to improve—along with details like sunlight exposure and any preferences or challenges you’re facing. An experienced Earl May garden expert will walk you through the best plant options for your space, budget, and vision.
We did just that for the front yard of our flip house. Once we arrived, Traci—our design expert at Earl May—took the time to walk us around the garden center and show us plant options tailored to the space. They’ll explain why certain plants work, what combinations will thrive together, and how to lay it all out for maximum impact.
Then, they pull actual plants from around the garden center and lay them out for you to visualize how it will all come together. Once you’re happy with the plan, you can purchase your selected plants and take them home to do the planting yourself. It’s an approachable, budget-friendly way to get professional design help while staying hands-on with your project.
What the Experience Was Like
Traci asked questions about the sunlight in the area, how much maintenance we were hoping for, and the kind of look we wanted to achieve. She explained the strengths and limitations of different plants based on the conditions we were working with. It was a full-blown educational experience—and we realized how much we didn’t know, even after years of working on our own landscaping.
(You can see our full appointment in video form on my Instagram reel HERE.)
She also took the rough drawing we brought with us and began making notes and spacing suggestions as we talked through the space. Once we finalized the plants we wanted, she actually added them to the sketch, showing us exactly where each one should go. Then, she made copies of the updated plan for us to take home. This turned out to be incredibly helpful—we referred back to that drawing over and over while planting everything, and it made the process so much smoother.
One of the most helpful aspects of Earl May’s DIY Dynamic Design was when Traci physically laid out the selected plants, allowing us to get a visual preview of how they’d look when planted. It made it so much easier to envision the final result. She also made thoughtful suggestions that we would have never considered on our own—ideas that added depth, interest, and longevity to the design.
Why We Loved Earl May’s DIY Dynamic Design
This service completely exceeded our expectations. Earl May’s DIY Dynamic Design didn’t just make the landscaping process easier—it made it smarter. We walked in with basic ideas and walked out with a confident, well-thought-out plan—and a car full of beautiful plants that were perfect for that specific space.
Matt and I were both blown away by the level of care and knowledge that went into the experience. We were genuinely excited about the transformation it helped us create at the flip house. Traci gave us ideas we never would have come up with ourselves, and her input made all the difference.
A Midwestern Must
Earl May is a Midwest staple, and we’re lucky to have two stores near us. If you’re located anywhere near an Earl May garden center—or you’re willing to take a little road trip—it’s absolutely worth checking out Earl May’s DIY Dynamic Design for your next landscaping project.
Whether you’re flipping houses like we are or simply refreshing your yard, this service is one of the best investments you can make. Everyone needs to know this service exists—it’s a hidden gem that delivers huge curb appeal results. In fact, Matt—who has planted, landscaped, and cared for our own yard for over 20 years—kept saying over and over how much he wanted to do Earl May’s DIY Dynamic Design for our home next. He’s always loved landscaping, but he was genuinely blown away by how much we learned and the creative suggestions Traci gave us. That says a lot coming from someone who’s been digging in the dirt for decades!
What to Bring to Your Earl May DIY Dynamic Design Appointment
To get the most out of your Earl May’s DIY Dynamic Design consultation, come prepared! Here’s what we recommend bringing with you:
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Photos of the area – Include wide shots and close-ups to give the designer context.
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Accurate measurements – Note the length and width of the space you want help with.
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A rough sketch or layout drawing – This helps visualize plant placement and structure.
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Notes on sunlight exposure – Is it full sun, partial shade, or full shade?
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Details about soil and drainage – Is the area prone to holding water or drying out quickly?
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Your preferences – Color themes, plant types you like (or dislike), and desired maintenance level.
Coming prepared will help your designer create a personalized and efficient plan.
Smart Landscaping Tips We Learned from Traci
One of the best parts of using Earl May’s DIY Dynamic Design was learning so many practical, creative tips from Traci—things we never would have considered on our own. Whether you’re working on a flip property or your own yard, these landscaping gems are worth noting!
- Use Recyclables in Potted Plants
To reduce the weight and improve drainage in large pots, Traci suggested adding crushed beer or pop cans—or empty water bottles with lids—to the bottom of the planter. This simple hack makes heavy pots more manageable and helps with proper watering.
- Plant as If Everything Is Full Grown
A mistake many people make (ourselves included!) is planting too closely because everything looks small at first. Traci reminded us to space plants based on their mature size so the design won’t look overcrowded or compete for nutrients down the road.
- Master the “Thriller, Filler, Spiller” Method for Pots
When planting containers, Traci introduced us to the thriller, filler, spiller formula:
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Thriller – the bold, upright centerpiece plant
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Filler – mid-sized, bushy plants that add volume
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Spiller – trailing plants that cascade over the edge
It’s a foolproof way to design pots that look full, balanced, and beautiful from every angle.
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- Plan for All Four Seasons
We also learned to include plants that offer structure and beauty beyond spring and summer. Incorporating evergreens, grasses, and winter-interest plants helps your landscaping look great year-round. This was one of our favorite things because she was able to tell us which plants would give something all year round.
You’ll see the photos below showing all the plants in place as soon as we brought them home that day. They are all in place, just like they were laid out for us during the design.
It came together beautifully and exactly as Traci helped us envision it.
We still need to add a few finishing touches, like a border, stepping stones, and grow some grass seed to fill in the area.
Like any great outdoor project, it’s a process. The full transformation will take shape over the next few months as the plants grow, settle in, and thrive in their new home.
Make sure you are following along on Instagram, where I will be sharing more of this process and behind-the-scenes looks. Find my page HERE.
Here are a few photos after we finished the entire area with fresh edging and new stones. The overgrown bushes and trees that were here when we bought the house had stretched much farther into the yard than the new landscaping does. We’ve planted grass seed in those areas and are looking forward to seeing it fill in over the next few weeks.
And once we get the new windows in, the house will look even better!!
Ready to Transform Your Yard?
One of the best parts? You don’t have to wait. After your Earl May’s DIY Dynamic Design consultation, you can purchase your plants and take them home that day—ready to start planting immediately. The $200 you pay for the consult becomes a store credit toward the plants you choose, so you’re not paying extra for the expert help—it’s rolled right into your project budget.
They’ll work with any budget and any space. You set the price range, and they’ll show you exactly what you can do with it. Whether your project is big or small, you’ll walk away with ideas, knowledge, and a clear plan that fits your yard and your goals.
We truly can’t recommend Earl May’s DIY Dynamic Design enough. You’ll be amazed at how much you learn, how supported you feel, and how confident you are heading home to get your hands in the dirt. If you’re lucky enough to live near an Earl May location, schedule this service—you’ll be so glad you did.
To see the before and the progress of this flip, make sure you are following along on my YouTube channel HERE. I am sharing new videos every week! When you are there, make sure to SUBSCRIBE! I don’t want you to miss any of them!
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