FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
CoFo Nursery
I ordered some plants from your nursery online. When can I pick them up?
Our nursery is located in the neighborhood of Edgewood in Atlanta. Our Nursery Manager, Lucian, will reach out to you within two days to set up your pickup date/time. He will reach out via text or email from the contact information you provided during checkout. If you need to reach out to Lucian, you can contact him at cofo.lucian@gmail.com.
I am wanting a particular plant that I do not see listed on your nursery site. Can you help me find what I am looking for?
We are happy to help source your desired plants to the best of our abilities! Timelines and feasibility for sourcing will depend on the type of plant species and the preferred size. If you have a unique or difficult-to-find plant in mind, it often works best if you procure them and have them on site for us to install. Our team would happily develop a quote for you that includes plants we are able to obtain. If you need to reach out with a plant request you can contact Lucian at cofo.lucian@gmail.com.
Consultation Process
What is CoFo's fee for a site consultation?
Our consultation fee is $150; this includes an in-person consultation + napkin sketch + itemized quote + CSA (Comprehensive Site Analysis) report. If you are an existing client, your next site visit will be free of charge (but does not include the CSA component).
How quickly would I be able to get a site consultation?
Though it may vary, we typically book site consultations anywhere from two to five weeks out, depending on the season. We encourage you to fill out a request form if you are interested in a site consultation with us.
Installation Process
How quickly would I be able to begin my project after I approve my quote?
Similar to our site consultation schedule - though it may vary, we typically book installations about two to three weeks after your personalized, customizable quote is approved, and the deposit for that scope of work is paid.
How long are quotes valid?
We deliver all customized line-item quotes within one week of the initial site visit consultation. Quotes are valid for 30 days, from the date that we email you the quote. After 30 days, we may need to update the quote based on the rising costs of materials, supplies, plants, labor, etc.
Can you help us order all the materials and we will install them ourselves?
Yes, we can provide assistance for your project, as long as it's within our skillset. We will charge you based on our hourly rate to procure and deliver the plants/materials & additionally provide coaching services based on an hourly rate to help you DIY your goals.
How big will the plants you install be? How soon will they get as big as they are supposed to?
Each plant is different in this regard. We like to think about plants in this way: First they sleep, then they creep, then they leap! This means you may not see a ton of growth for the first year or two, as the roots are developing, though, afterwards you should see a burst of growth. Any plants that we start from seed (clover/wildflower) will take a few weeks to germinate, then several months to grow in and fill the space.
Most of our plants are quoted/installed based on the size of the pot/container and not the height of the plant (because heights can vary dramatically and do not give an accurate portrayal of the age of the plant). Of course, answers to these questions will vary, and our team will walk you through these details as your project progresses. Plant growth - from fruit trees or clover - will be determined by factors such as light availability, appropriate watering, and soil quality.
Our Materials
What kind of compost do you use?
Our compost blend is all-natural, no chemicals!
What are your raised beds made out of?
Our raised beds can be made from cedar lumber, pressure treated lumber, metal, or stone. We utilize these materials to maintain the quality & longevity of the beds.
Are you able to source soil if I do not require your services to plant?
We recommend sourcing your soil from Super-Sod, Green Landscape Supply, or Cummin Landscape Supply‚ all of whom will deliver soil locally.
Are your vegetables and fruit trees non-GMO and organic?
We do not use pesticides or synthetic fertilizers on the plants in our nursery.
Our Mission
Why are native, pollinator-firendly plants helpful?
Native, pollinator-friendly plants play a critical role in almost every one of our installs because:
- They attract pollinators and provide them with food.
- They provide habitat for pollinators to lay eggs and feed the caterpillars.
- They're a sure-fire way of ensuring a healthy, eco-friendly landscape.
What are the benefits of our low-mow eco-lawns?
Lawn alternatives provide a multitude of benefits over traditional turf grass lawns. Some of which include:
- Less frequent maintenance - no weekly mowing!
- Less input - less water, fertilizations, dethatching, aerating.
- More resilience: a polyculture of multiple species is less likely to die, fall, and leave bare patches.
- Provides a food habitat for wildlife; native plants and flowers provide more food and homes for bees, butterflies, and birds.
Simply put: we can help you save time, energy, and money by installing an eco-lawn for you!
Why should I utilize natural drainage systems?
Natural drainage allows stormwater to percolate into the earth the way nature intended. Living in Atlanta, we are very susceptible to flooding and our impervious surfaces are only increasing. Traditional techniques tend to flow stormwater into our over-burdened sewer systems OR displace stormwater to other properties, avoiding the overarching issue. Another plus side to natural systems is subterranean passive irrigation. By saturating soil in your landscape with stormwater you can irrigate your plants with zero labor involved! The underground plumes of groundwater will do the work for you.
Why should I opt for regular maintenance and invasive removal?
Invasive species can reproduce and grow rapidly since they lack any natural predators or pests in their new environment, which results in the displacement of native plants and animals. Our biggest invasive culprits in Atlanta (English ivy, kudzu, privet, etc.) can be found in almost every backyard in the city! We will help you maintain the space so that native species can come to fruition and thrive the way that nature had intended.
Our Services
What services do we not offer?
- Traditional Lawn Mowing
- Leaf Blowing
- Poison Ivy Removal (We can chemically treat it, but we don't manually remove it.)
- Pool/Pond installation
- No greenhouses
- No retaining walls higher than 36"
- No tree removals above 4" caliper size
I need someone to mow my grass lawn, and to leaf-blow - is this something you all provide?
We are happy to propose alternatives to conventional grass lawns which require less mowing, water, and fertilization - such as our low-mow seed mix and native meadow seed mix. Additionally, we provide maintenance that is oriented in land stewardship, rather than preservation of grass lawns - including invasive removal, restoring native species, pruning and fruit tree fungicide sprays, among other services. Please visit our monthly maintenance and invasive removal pages for more information.
I require ongoing maintenance of my landscape, but I'm not sure how frequently I will need your services. What do you recommend?
Our Maintenance and Restoration (M&R) team would be happy to visit your site! Our initial M&R visits are 30 minutes, during which Albert would work with you to determine frequency of maintenance. Albert will incorporate you into his regular maintenance schedule anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks after your initial visit.
What types of hardscapes installations do you provide?
We offer a wide array of hardscape installations, including small retaining walls, patios, walkways, steps, terraces, fire pits, and more!
I am experiencing some erosion on my property. Are you able to help with water management?
We specialize in water management solutions that help to restore the land - such as: rain gardens, dry creeks, rain barrels, swales and berms, and more! Our team is dedicated not only to a quality installation, but will also provide follow-up inspections and improvements, should they be necessary after heavy, sustained rainy periods. Check out our reviews from happy clients who hired us to solve their drainage/erosion issues.
I need some trees removed. Is this something you are able to help me with?
Depending on the type, height, and diameter of a tree, we may be able to help you remove them - for example, small saplings. If the trees are beyond our capabilities for removal (any tree six inches or more in diameter), our crew would readily refer you to a trustworthy partner who can help.
What is the timeframe for planting fall fruit trees and bushes?
November through March is the best shrub/tree planting season, although you can plant year-round as long as you water the plants weekly.
When should I begin a fruit tree spraying regimen with Community Foodscapes?
Our tree spraying regimen starts in the Fall, when trees go dormant, and can continue until trees flower. Once your trees flower, spraying must pause for pollinators to thrive. When trees have stopped flowering, tree spraying can resume if necessary. Each fungus/bacteria and tree species has different requirements.
Does CoFo provide seed sowing services?
We can, and do, plant things from seed, should this be an aspect of a larger installation, or recurring monthly maintenance.
Payment & Financing
What sort of payment types do you accept?
We accept all major credit cards through our secure payment platforms: Stripe, Jobber & Shop Pay. We also offer financing through Wisetack for large projects!
Do you offer financial assistance of any kind?
We have partnered with Wisetack, a user-friendly, paperless way for clients to pay for their projects over time by breaking up the cost of our services into easy monthly payments. Financing is available for jobs costing between $500 and $25,000.
Can we help you install the project to cut the project costs?
We certainly encourage homeowners to jump in and get dirty with us! However, because of the increased time required for us to give instructions and quality control, we are not able to give any labor discounts. If we are using heavy machinery or dangerous tools on the site, then all residents and pets must stay out of the work site.
Service Radius
I am out of your service radius for an in-person consultation, but am interested in seeking your design expertise to determine project next steps. Can you help me?
During our slower months in the winter and fall, we have design services available to all Georgia residents!
I am within your service radius for an in-person consultation, but want to "DIY" this project; I just want your help with a design.
All in-service range work (including design work) begins with a 1-hour on-site consultation. They will walk you through all of our options and analyze and record the lay of the land.