Turned Earth: July 2006 Archives

From the Drawing Board-Planting Concepts

By Michael O'Connell on July 19, 2006 7:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

How do planting plans evolve from initial client preferences to final installation? Usually through a sequence of steps.

First, we talk with the client about the style of plantings they prefer and how this relates to the overall design style for the project. Next, we create a plant booklet that outlines recommendations (includes a photo and characteristics) based on our initial conversations and the realities of the site where the plants are to be installed. The booklet might contain anywhere from 25-100 different plant varieties. Clients may be more or less horticulturally inclined, but usually we ask them to select plants that they either love or hate, and then we work to fill out the rest of the palette.

After we have a general idea for plant selection and style we usually create a massing plan. This sets the relationships and geometries of the plantings (usually based on size, and the location of any specimen plants). We then assign plant varieties, moving, modifying, and tweaking things as we go. At this stage, we may lead the clients on a tour to the local nursery to view the plants 'in the round,' as this is usually much more informative than viewing pictures alone. For big trees, we may go to a tree nursery and select specimens with the client.

After we assign varieties, we usually present the plan to the client for final approval. Any final changes are made, and the plan is ready for construction. This usually is not the end of the process however. In the field we do a preliminary layout of the plants prior to installation, to make sure the client likes the overall layout and positioning of the plants. We have found this process to be very effective as it is much harder to move plants after they have been planted. Once the client has approved the field layout we start planting. Remember, green side up!

Customer Service Observations

By Michael O'Connell on July 13, 2006 9:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

After recently having a delightful experience with Southwest Airlines Customer Service in the terminal, and because we are doing quite a bit of flying lately, we were going to sign up for a Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card for our business. However, after getting run around in circles with Southwest's credit card company, Chase, we gave up on the idea (we only would have saved a couple hundred bucks anyway). It just goes to show that even when your business does a great job at service, there can still be issues with associates. In contracting this frequently occurs with subcontractors.

Shamrock Goes Upscale
Shamrock Materials has recently gone upscale, with a new remodeled stone showroom and phone tree for their San Rafael store. Hopefully, these changes will resonate throughout the customer service experience. Shamrock can get pretty busy, and getting good service over the phone can sometimes be a headache.

Completed Project- Tiburon

By Michael O'Connell on July 6, 2006 9:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here are some final images from a project we have just completed in Tiburon. It is interesting to see the pieces fit together, as the landscape was installed at the same time the custom home construction was being completed.

Flagstone Steps descending from Main Patio Level to Lawn