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July 26, 2006
New Developments- No Topsoil
There was an interesting feature in a recent issue of Landscape Architecture Magazine, describing how plants and trees in new developments don't grow very well. The culprit- the construction process. Typically, when new homes are built, the builder scrapes the site clean of topsoil during cleaning and grading. Even if new soil is added to the site later, it often does not replicate the endemic soil. Often in new developments, especially in our area, the housing isn't build on the greatest soil to begin with (the California Central Valley, doesn't have this problem, but that raises a whole slate of other issues).
Add to the soil factor the fact that builders typically don't do a great job installing shrubs and trees for new houses, and the problem is compounded further. Still sometimes trees do grow well. In one new development where we are currently working, there are some beautiful Sycamore trees that are about 5 years old and 25-30' tall. This issue underscores the fact of the importance of soil preparation when installing plantings, especially in new developments.
Posted by Michael O'Connell at 05:24 PM | Comments (0)
July 19, 2006
From the Drawing Board-Planting Concepts
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!
Posted by Michael O'Connell at 05:35 PM | Comments (0)
Matching Old Brick Pavers
While working on a current project we are trying to match some brick pavers that were installed for a project probably 20 years ago. This has proven to be somewhat of a challenge. The old paver bricks could have come from any number of brick yards, and those brick yards may not make that exact color any more. Websites like Paver Depot, specializing in pavers help, but in our case the material is true brick, not interlocking pavers. Just another challenge in retrofitting older landscape projects.
No Exact Match- The old paver is seen in the middle, with a variety of similar, but different new alternatives
Posted by Michael O'Connell at 06:45 AM | Comments (0)
July 14, 2006
Summer Weather & Better Irrigation Controllers
There was an article in the Marin IJ yesterday on the amount of water used by lawns in the summer months. This is going to become more and more of an issue as building continues in California, and water supplies are tight. Alternatives to lawns range from synthetic turf, to alternative lawns, or low water use plantings.
One aspect that struck me was the amount water districts are paying local schools to replace natural turf with synthetic- $15,000 per acre. That is $.35 per square foot, which wouldn't begin to pay for the sand underneath the new synthetic turf, let alone the cost of all the materials and installation. It is a small step in the right direction though. School fields tend to be difficult and poorly maintained. Those schools with synthetic turf such as Marin Academy, which was one of the first high schools in Marin to install synthetic turf, look pretty realistic aesthetically.
There are a host of new technologies on the market which aim at water conservation. Smarter controllers are one way to improve water use. WeatherTrak Controllers, produced by Hydropoint, a local company out of Petaluma, use innovative weather tracking systems, to monitor and adjust watering. With a subscription service, data is downloaded to the controller and adjustments to the watering schedule are made automatically. These new controllers are the wave of the future, as water districts are starting to clamp down on water use and make mandatory these new technologies.
Controller Image from the WeatherTrak Website
For More:
Past blog posts on- Synthetic Greens & Lawns, Alternative Lawns
Posted by Michael O'Connell at 05:23 PM | Comments (0)
July 13, 2006
Customer Service Observations
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.
Posted by Michael O'Connell at 04:39 PM | Comments (0)
July 12, 2006
From the Drawing Board- Color Planting Plan
Here is a color planting plan from a recent project. We use colored planting plans with common plant names for illustrative communication with clients. Over the years we have found that these type of plans are much more effective and easier for clients to understand than black and white wireframe plans with Latin names, number systems, or abbreviations.
Posted by Michael O'Connell at 11:16 AM | Comments (0)
July 11, 2006
When it Needs to Last
I was out in the field today looking at an institutional project that had heavy usage and a low maintenance budget. In these types of situations it can be difficult to establish a successful installation. For planting projects the design and selection of plants and irrigation system are of critical importance in high traffic areas (parking lots, apartment buildings, public areas, residences with active dogs or children come to mind).
Selection of plants is critical; what we typically call Cast Iron plants. These plants establish quickly and take little water or maintenance, such as: Junipers, Agapanthus, Escallonia, Dietes, Photinea, Ivy, Day Lilies, Society Garlic- plants that are frequently used in commercial and dense residential settings.
Irrigation is also critical- it must combine both automation and durability to be as low maintenance as possible. Above ground drip systems are often not as suited to these applications because of traffic over them, and follow-up maintenance required.
For projects where little or no maintenance is to be performed, it is always good to have these elements in mind going into the planning and implementation of the project. Most plantings fail because they are not designed to withstand the environment where they are installed and they do not receive the maintenance and care required to flourish.
Anticpated maintenance schedule is a key factor to keep in mind for both residential and commercial projects. Want a garden like the Butchart Gardens? Be prepared to garden on the weekends or pay for a good professional maintenance service (not just mow, blow, and go)
Posted by Michael O'Connell at 02:14 PM | Comments (0)
July 06, 2006
Completed Project- Tiburon
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
Rear view of the house and landscape
Side Patio, Flagstone Path, Cedar Perimeter Fence, Plantings
Rear Lawn and Cable Fence
Front Entry Path, Lawn, and Large Box Mayten Trees
Reverse view of Front Yard
Posted by Michael O'Connell at 12:55 PM | Comments (0)