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August 29, 2006
Watering Roses in Shady Areas
We received this question regarding watering roses in more shady areas from a client recently:
Q: We have several varieties of Rose Bushes in our garden. The sun is indirect there and there are trees doing their best to take over. We have been watering these roses every day ... in what seems like hours the water has been running.
What would be your recommendation. The soil is rather sandy and tight, but moist.
A: Here is some advice from Berkeley Horticultural Nursery on ‘Growing Roses in the Bay Area:’ “Watering – in the ground: Water established plants deeply at least once a week) more often in hot or windy weather, less often during cool foggy spells). Soaker hoses snaked between the plants will make watering less of a chore and they can be hidden with mulch. Adding 2 in. or more of mulch around roses will reduce the need for water by preventing evaporation.”
Or, Sunset Garden Book recommends basin flooding if you don’t have drip irrigation and are watering by hand -- in other words, creating a thick walled basin via a soil berm around the rose bush, about 3 – 4 ft. in diameter, then adding water by the hose to fill the basin. The idea is to deep water with enough water to wet the entire root zone of the rose. In hot weather, you might be filling the basin every other day. In general, by any method of watering, the object is not to get water on the leaves of the rose because it can contribute to mildew.
Posted by Michael O'Connell at 04:02 PM | Comments (0)
August 25, 2006
Work in Progress- Greenbrae Project
We are getting ready to pour a concrete slab for the patio terrace for this project in Greenbrae. Good concrete preparation always has a stable bed of compacted base rock gravel, suitable rebar reinforcement for the slab, and well defined and constructed formwork.
Posted by Michael O'Connell at 04:41 PM | Comments (0)
August 24, 2006
Sources of Inspiration- Great Bay Area Gardens
Having a good idea of design style for a new landscape project can take the project to a new level of design and make a very special garden space. Books are a good place to start to get inspiration. What style of garden, features, and materials should the garden include- modern, Asian, Mediterranean, xeriscape, California native? While garden books are a good starting place, it is often better to draw inspiration from other gardens to get ideas on plants, materials and design solutions. Fortunately, the Bay Area has several interesting gardens throughout the region to lend inspiration.
Good Bay Area Gardens for Design Inspiration:
Marin Art & Garden Center in Ross
Cornerstone Gardens in Sonoma
Sunset Display Garden in Menlo Park
San Francisco Botanical Garden at Strybing Arboretum, Golden Gate Park
San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers- Don't miss the Japanese Gardens, De Young Museum and others in Golden Gate Park
Hakone Japanese Gardens in Saratoga
Elizabeth Gamble Garden in Palo Alto
Ruth Bancroft Gardens in Walnut Creek
Filoli Estate in San Carlos
UC Berkeley Botanical Gardens
Quarry Hill Botanical Garden in Glen Ellen
The Gardens at Heather Farm in Walnut Creek
(thanks to Ruth Bancroft Gardens links page)
In addition to these gardens, another good source of inspiration can be outstanding residential gardens in your neighborhood. Or, if touring gardens sounds a bit boring, combine a search for garden inspiration with a trip wine tasting. There are many interesting gardens in Napa and Sonoma Counties, see the post, "Find Ideas for your Landscape at the Local Winery", for more.
Posted by Michael O'Connell at 06:18 PM | Comments (0)
August 23, 2006
Ornamental Metal Fencing
We are currently working on a project with Ornamental metal fencing around the perimeter of the property. Metal fencing is typically done by fencing contractors because it requires welding that is typically out of the purview of landscape contractors.
Ameristar is one of the larger manufacturers of modular ornamental fencing. This fencing comes in a variety of heights (3,4 and 6 feet) and styles- multiple rails, different ornamental posts and caps. It is frequently used for perimeter, pool and front frontage/entry fencing. The fencing comes in 3 or 4 colors per style and typically powder-coated at the factory.
Digital Mock-up of Ornamental Metal Fence in Proposed Location
Posted by Michael O'Connell at 02:08 PM | Comments (0)
August 21, 2006
Novato Project & Seeded Concrete Finishes
We just finished pouring a concrete walkway and pad for a project in Novato. The concrete finish we used we a seeded aggregate. There are several different options for seeded aggregate, both in terms of the stone that is seeded, and the size of the stone seeded.
Example of stone on pathway we just completed- 3/4" Red River aggregate
Seeding in progress- stones are broadcast and then embedded into the surface of the concrete. The concrete is washed away to reveal the packed stones at the surface.
Seeding completed- 3/8" smaller Pami Pebble aggregate
Example of another aggregate stone- Salmon 3/4"
Posted by Michael O'Connell at 07:03 PM | Comments (0)
August 15, 2006
Interesting Garden Water Features
Doing some browsing recently through some of our links, I found some additional interesting resources of prefabricated water features. Premanifactured water features come in all shapes, sizes, design types and materials.
Trevi, a manufacturer based in Las Vegas, has some interesting designs that depart from your classic Italian fare that you see at most garden centers.
Stonesmith Garden Vessels (SVG), out of Cambria, California, has unique modern designs.
A. Silvestri & Co., out of San Francisco, has a wide array of classical Italian and Spanish inspired designs.
Stone Forest, out of Santa Fe, has unique Granite and Stone Custom Fountains.
View our Materials Guide for more Water Feature resources and information
Posted by Michael O'Connell at 01:10 PM | Comments (0)
August 14, 2006
Newly Updated Portfolio
Our project portfolio is newly updated with current featured projects. Each feature includes a project description, design schematics and details on project installation in construction. The regular work examples galleries have also been updated to reflect our most current work.
Featured Projects:
Kent Woodlands: Entrance Gate, large deck around swimming pool, and flagstone entry
Larkspur: Terraced stucco walls and mediterranean plantings
San Rafael: Outdoor kitchen, space reclaiming retaining wall, and bluestone patio
Tiburon: Landscape with new home construction, plantings, large lawn and fencing
Sonoma: New entrance with flagstone approach and multi-tiered deck, newly articulated entertaining spaces and pool remodel
Posted by Michael O'Connell at 08:45 PM | Comments (0)
August 09, 2006
From the Drawing Board- Access Stairs
Here is a basic design element, a detail for wood stairs with railings to provide access for an area above an existing retaining wall. The exposed area underneath the steps is screened in with lattice to provide a storage area.
Plan View
Elevation View
Posted by Michael O'Connell at 05:18 PM | Comments (0)
August 08, 2006
Blog References Around the World
In looking at some other blog pages that link to our blog, it is amazing to see the global reach of the internet and blogs. Two interesting links to note- one came from a site in the UK, Real Oasis, referencing our post about Current Cutting Technology on the peninsula. The other item of interest, a reference to our post on glass mulch from Portugal. I was surprised how easy it was to the read Portuguese posting (as a Spanish speaker it read like misspelled Spanish).
Posted by Michael O'Connell at 04:01 PM | Comments (0)
August 07, 2006
Turned Earth Turns 200!
200 Blog posts in just over a year! Thanks to all our readers, next stop 300...
Posted by Michael O'Connell at 03:59 PM | Comments (0)
August 04, 2006
Progress Images- Greenbrae Project
Here are some continuing photos of a new landscape project in Greenbrae. The excavation, forms and footings have been completed and the block walls are under construction for a new patio terrace.
Posted by Michael O'Connell at 02:05 PM | Comments (0)
August 03, 2006
Progress Images- Novato Project
Here are some progress images from a project under construction in Novato. We are taking an existing retaining wall and pushing it back into the hillside to create more space in a compact backyard.
Posted by Michael O'Connell at 02:08 PM | Comments (0)