Greenhaven Home :: A Smarter Way of Living

With a passion for all things green, Atlanta based landscape design expert Justin Cave transforms ordinary lawns into extraordinary outdoor living spaces to the delight of Atlantans and homeowners nationwide.   As host of HGTV's Ground Breakers Justin educates homeowners on the tips and tricks to creating their own lush landscapes through his personal experience as owner and principal designer of Sierra Consulting.

Cultivating his green thumb from the earliest age, Justin got his first work permit at the age of 14 so he could drag a 200-foot hose to thirsty beds of annuals.  He continued to grow his talents and love for landscaping during college as he dedicated himself to maintaining area yards in between classes and on the weekends. His young successes afforded him the opportunity to begin his professional landscape career working for two of Atlanta's top landscaping design firms where he managed large-scale projects and learned tricks of the trade which laid the foundation for more complex challenges.

In 2006 Justin launched Sierra Consulting to be an extension of his love for landscaping and a dedication to realizing his client's outdoor dreams through economic and environmentally friendly ways.  His thoughtful landscape designs paired with his hands-on approach make Sierra Consulting one of Atlanta's most sought after firms for projects of all scopes and sizes.

In response to Atlanta's recent and extreme drought conditions, Justin has become an advocate for sustainable landscape and environmental stewardship.  It is his belief that through education and awareness communities can easily adopt these eco-friendly landscaping practices to create a healthy future for the planet.  To make this idea a reality, Justin has taken to the entertainment airwaves to spread eco-friendly knowledge and expertise.

Before becoming the host of Ground Breakers Justin served as host of Turner South's Bushwacked, an original landscape program for the Southeast's first environmentally focused television network.  His charismatic passion for landscaping eventually lead to his current role as host of Ground Breakers where he embraces this national platform to further spread his environmental message.

When he's not getting his hands dirty in the name of landscaping transformations, he pens a column for Georgia Magazine and enjoys traveling, fishing, hunting, and playing guitar for his dog.

A sustainable landscape is an important aspect of Greenhaven.  Words such as "green" and "eco-friendly" have almost become household terms.  But what do they mean to you?  And where can you, as an individual begin to incorporate them into your own home and daily routine?  The concept behind the Greenhaven home is to teach earth friendly ideologies that literally can become a way of life!

Rainwater reclamation is the largest step that you can take towards making your landscape sustainable.  Harvesting water can be something as simple as a rain barrel, or even as involved as a "green-roof" or cistern system.  You can recycle rain water wheter you have an existing home, or are planning your own custom home build.  With much of Georgia in drought conditions, H2O can be scarce in the long summer days!  And like people, plants need water!  Greenhaven has planned to incorporate both rain barrels and a rain harvest system that incorporates the proper irrigation methods to show people different options that can accommodate any budget!

Any builder will tell you that hardscaping large areas of a lot or property can cause water run-off problems.  Greenhaven features Pavestones newest product line, Eco-Venetian pavers.  The Eco-Venetian paver technology provides an attractive look and permeable paving all at the same time.  This new technology meets the EPA storm water regulations and is the perfect solution to your homes driveway or patio situation.     

Planting your landscape is literally and figuratively the icing on the cake.  But it can fail!  There is a lot that needs to be considered for a well rounded plant scheme.  The right plant in the right location is important.  Greenhaven features drought hardy, low maintenance plants, along with some indigenous Georgia fauna. The Greenhaven workshops will show homeowners proper planting techniques along with proper plant selection.  Whether it is a large, shady backyard or a small container, these basic fundamentals are important for your plants success and longevity. 

The vegetable garden plays just as an important role in the landscape as the American lawn does.  Greenhaven shows people the easiest ways to recycle kitchen and yard waste through composting.  Composted material is a great way to become organic in the home while saving money and feeding your vegetable garden!  The only decision you will have left to make after the Greenhaven workshop is, "do I plant Heirloom or baby tomatoes?"

Water reclamation, permeable paving, plant selection, proper planting, and vegetable gardening are just a few ways that you begin to reap the benefit of a "green" landscape.  A sustainable landscape combined with a "whole-house" approach will give you a vast array of options and possibilities that you can incorporate into your own home.  Once you begin to "go green" there is no turning back.  Greenhaven hopes to show people that hopefully this will be the norm, and not just and alternative way of life!