Landscaping Project Spotlight

Partnering for Sustainability & Beauty With a Black Mountain HOA

B.B. Barns Builds and Maintains Community Pride for Jacobs Cottages’ Residents

Going Beyond Curb Appeal With Full-Service Landscape Care

Since 2021, B.B. Barns has been providing weekly landscape maintenance for both the common areas and a number of individual cottages. The work is collaborative, detail-oriented, and often custom-tailored to each homeowner’s goals.

A typical week looks like:

• Two gardeners managing beds and borders.
• Two turf maintenance pros keeping the lawns lush and tidy.
• Andrew Stepp, Landscape Consultant with B.B. Barns, on-site almost weekly, talking with residents, checking progress, and coordinating new installations.

And there’s a reason for that level of involvement… Jacobs Cottages had previously worked with another landscaping company, one that lacked follow-through and personal attention. Residents felt the difference right away with B.B. Barns.

“They told us straight up,” Andrew shares. “We might cost a bit more, but the value is in the service and the detail. They know we’re going to show up, we’re going to care, and we’re going to follow through.”

Design that Matches the Place and the People

Jacobs Cottages isn’t just any mountain neighborhood. The architecture carries an Arts and Crafts-inspired design sensibility, and the landscape has to speak the same language. That means carefully-chosen plants, natural stone, and thoughtful transitions between public and private space.

Plant Selections with a Purpose

Nearly all the planting—whether for the HOA or for individual cottages—leans heavily on knowing what works well in our WNC region, as well as beauty, seasonal interest, and maintenance and water needs.

“We’re not just planting what looks good. We’re choosing what thrives here, what works with the style, and what supports the long-term health of the landscape,” he says.

Hardscaping That Feels Handcrafted

Alongside the lush plantings, B.B. Barns has also installed a number of hardscape features—from patios to curbing to steppers—using locally sourced Nolichucky gravel, river rock, and natural stone. Many of these projects help create small garden retreats or provide functional space.
Everything is designed to feel like it belongs, blending clean craftsmanship with a natural mountain aesthetic.

From Trusted Landscape Partner to Clean-Up Crew

But then the remnants of Hurricane Helene hit the area, and it didn’t just bring heavy rain, it triggered a landslide. What followed was mud, debris, and a community shaken by the disruption.

“We don’t usually do tree work or storm cleanup,” says Andrew. “But this was one of those situations where we couldn’t just stand by. We cleared out debris, re-sodded greenspaces, and made sure people could access their homes again.”

That sense of urgency and care didn’t go unnoticed. What began as a practical response turned into the strengthening of our already trusted relationship.

Reliability and Communication at the Core

The partnership between B.B. Barns and Jacobs Cottages isn’t just built on mulch and mowers, but on relationships. Whether it’s picking up yard waste from the community garden without being asked, or responding to a text from a board member, the B.B. Barns team is always in close communication.

One homeowner in particular, Jean C., stands out. As a member of the HOA board, she’s been a consistent advocate for B.B. Barns.

“She always tells us she appreciates what we do, how we show up, and how we communicate,” says Andrew.

And that’s not just a compliment. It’s confirmation that the community wants B.B. Barns around for the long haul.

A Community Effort, Rooted in Care

Perhaps the most compelling part of this ongoing project is the way B.B. Barns stepped up in a time of crisis. After Hurricane Helene, there was no playbook. Just a neighborhood in need. And our team said yes… To cleanups, to recovery, and to restoring beauty where there had been chaos.
As Andrew puts it: “It wasn’t something we normally do. But we weren’t going to leave people stranded. We just did what we could to get folks back to livable situations.

That mindset—of rolling up our sleeves when it matters, of being part of the solution even when it’s outside the norm—has defined our work at Jacobs Cottages.

Looking Ahead

As Jacobs Cottages continues to grow, evolve, and mature, B.B. Barns remains a dedicated partner, planting with intention, building with care, and being there, no matter what.

This isn’t just about maintaining a landscape. It’s about stewarding a place where people live, connect, and thrive.

And we’re proud to be part of that story.