top of page
WRITING

This page features my writing, both professional and personal.
Select your preference <Personal or Professional> by clicking below. Or just browse.
I hope that you enjoy my writing and find it informative and entertaining.
I welcome your comments!
Search


Keep the Ball Rolling
Motivation will achieve your goals! A motivational essay by: By Eric R. McQuiston I’ve said it for years: getting the ball rolling is...

Eric McQuiston, PLA
6 days ago3 min read
17
0


The Big Three: What Really Matters in Residential Landscape Design
By Eric R. McQuiston, PLA What is your ideal landscape? When folks start thinking about their home landscape, it’s usually because...

Eric McQuiston, PLA
Jun 104 min read
80
0


Say Goodnight to the Bad guy:
A critical essay on the current state of social thought and activity.

Eric McQuiston
May 317 min read
34
0


The Camp
When Sarah Robauch’s husband returns from a business trip showing strange flu-like symptoms, she chalks it up to jet lag—until the bleeding starts. As a deadly virus spreads silently through the population, Sarah must make a split-second decision to protect her children. The Camp is a tense and intimate survival story set against the quiet backwaters of Bedico Creek, where isolation may be the only hope.

Eric McQuiston
May 3115 min read
18
0


Can I Charge a Design Fee as a Contractor?
As a licensed landscape architect who works closely with contractors across a range of residential and commercial projects, I’m often...

Eric McQuiston, PLA
May 204 min read
26
0


What’s Next for Landscape Architecture in an AI-Driven World?
I’ve been thinking lately about where our profession is headed.  Not just in terms of trends or styles—but in the larger context of how...

Eric McQuiston, PLA
May 202 min read
15
0


Understanding the Design Process
When planning a landscape project, one of the biggest challenges is understanding how the design process works  and what kind of plans...

Eric McQuiston, PLA
Mar 255 min read
37
0


Legal Grounds: Contractors
* The following reflects the authors personal professional experience and should not be considered legal advice. In the previous...

Eric McQuiston, PLA
Feb 214 min read
22
0


Legal Grounds: Designers
* The following reflects the authors personal professional experience and should not be considered legal advice. In the first part of...

Eric McQuiston, PLA
Feb 214 min read
14
0


Legal Grounds: Homeowners
* The following reflects the authors personal professional experience and should not be considered legal advice. A thoughtfully designed...

Eric McQuiston, PLA
Feb 214 min read
12
0


Ignite Your Outdoor Space:
The Timeless Appeal and Benefits of Outdoor Fireplaces An outdoor fireplace adds dimension and life to the outdoor experience! Fire has...

Eric McQuiston, PLA
Feb 193 min read
34
0


Easy Ways to Incorporate Sustainable Landscape Practices in Your Home Landscape
Sustainable Landscapes are beautiful and functional Sustainability is becoming an essential consideration in home landscaping. By...

Eric McQuiston, PLA
Feb 104 min read
11
0


Groundcover Plants: The Unsung Heroes of Landscape Design
Pachysandra as a border When we think about planting design, our minds often jump to the showstoppers—majestic trees, sculptural shrubs,...

Eric McQuiston, PLA
Jan 314 min read
20
0


Why Landscape Architects Must Master Irrigation Design:
The Overlooked Core of Environmental Stewardship Water is crucial to every environment Landscape architects are uniquely positioned to...

Eric McQuiston, PLA
Jan 283 min read
37
0


SYNKD Live 2025: A Review
SYNKD Live! I recently had the pleasure of attending the SYNKD Live Event in Atlanta for the first time, and I must say, I came away...

Eric McQuiston, PLA
Jan 224 min read
45
0


Distylium: The Underrated Gem of Southern Landscapes
'Vintage Jade Distylium' Photo: firsteditionsplants.com As a landscape architect and horticulturist, I’ve come to appreciate those...

Eric McQuiston, PLA
Jan 123 min read
21
0


Beware: Digital Designers and Landscape Architects Aren't the Same
If you're looking to transform your outdoor space or enhance your company's services, you may encounter both digital designers and...

Eric McQuiston, PLA
Nov 7, 20243 min read
49
0


Landscape Architecture in the Interplanetary Age
As a landscape architect, I remain fascinated by how our work merges art, science, nature and technology to improve the spaces where...

Eric McQuiston, PLA
Sep 18, 20246 min read
22
0


Developing a Realistic Landscape Scope & Budget
As a veteran landscape architect, I have witnessed firsthand the significant influence that a thoughtfully designed landscape can have....

Eric McQuiston, PLA
Sep 5, 202415 min read
21
0


Landscape Architect - It's Okay, No one Knows What We Do
The Invisible Hand Shaping Value and Quality in Every Space Some time ago, my wife gave me a tee shirt that read, "Landscape...

Eric McQuiston, PLA
Sep 4, 20244 min read
20
0
bottom of page