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March 28, 2007
Shop Where the Pros Shop
Walking the aisles at a home improvement store last week, I noticed the marked difference between the quality of components and parts for irrigation systems and lights. While they may be cheaper, the parts aren't nearly the same quality as those we install in our landscapes.
Fortunately, the easy solution is to shop at an irrigation specialty store, such as Horizon or Ewing. Both have a comprehensive selection of irrigation, landscape and lighting equipment. They also have professional expertise to help with projects, which you won't find at a big box store. Both vendors also have great websites where you can browse and even shop online.
Posted by Michael O'Connell at 09:31 AM | Comments (0)
March 26, 2007
Spring Maintenance
Spring is officially upon us and that means it's time, for those inclined, to roll up your sleeves and dig into the garden. One of the biggest items that may need attention is irrigation systems that have been shut off for the winter. It's a good idea to check controller settings, watering frequency and duration. A good way to find problems is to run through each station manually to make sure everything is getting water and there are no leaks.
Sunset posts maintenance information each month online with tips on what to do in the garden.
Posted by Michael O'Connell at 12:44 PM | Comments (0)
March 15, 2007
Are Fancy Public Spaces Worth the Money?
Looking at some recent covers of Landscape Architecture magazine, it lead me to ponder an interesting series of questions regarding the cost of public projects-
Yes, these designs and public spaces are beautiful and interesting design-wise, but are they worth the money to construct? Is it worth the money at Union Square in San Francisco to use stone paving instead of concrete? Is it worth the money to incorporate custom designed elements into a park or public space that cost much more because of their unique or custom nature? Would the public be better served by spreading tax dollars or other park funding sources thinner over a wider area? Should there be better funding of future maintenance of parks, rather than spending all the money on a fancy new installation that weathers poorly? If the choice is to install ten nice small parks in a city, or one avant gard fancy park, which benefits the community more?
A lot of the answers to these questions are wrapped up in machinations of politics, the way public works projects (or semi- public projects) are funded, the type of projects designers want to design (award winning and new), and our general public curiosity with new and interesting designs. All this does not mean that it is the best use financially, that this money provides us the most benefit publicly for the money invested. Public projects might benefit if these questions were examined upon funding of new park or public works project. And yet, these questions are asked, and design projects are heavily value-engineered to strip out expensive elements and keep down costs. In the end, the goal should be, which park is going to be serve the public and benefit the community. A subjective and difficult question to answer- if this is the central question or focus, does a landmark the Golden Gate Bridge get built?
Are features, like this fountain in San Francisco's Yerba Buena Park, worth the high cost of installation and maintenance for the enhancements they provide to the park space?
Posted by Michael O'Connell at 12:46 PM | Comments (0)
March 12, 2007
Matching Contribution Program Donation
A current client took advantage of our Matching Contribution Program, we donated a $500 matching contribution to the Mount Tamalpais School. The school, a non-profit independent school in Mill Valley, offers instruction for grades K-8.
Posted by Michael O'Connell at 08:50 PM | Comments (0)
March 10, 2007
It's a Bloom Year
There has been quite a show this spring as fruit trees and other blooming trees are really blooming this year. This may have something to do with a fairly mild winter and not a lot of late winter rain. On a trip up I-5 the almonds and other fruit trees where ablaze with blooms.
A Beautiful Saucer Magnolia in Bloom
Taken in Larkspur, which seems to have great magnolias
A spectacular tree just leafing out
Posted by Michael O'Connell at 01:41 PM | Comments (0)
March 09, 2007
The Transformational Power of Sod
We are finishing up on a project in Sonoma and putting in a large sod lawn. No matter how many projects we do, it is always amazing the impact of a sod lawn. Clients almost always react once the sod is installed- this turf is a dwarf tall fescue, bluegrass blend.
During Grading
After installation
After installation
Posted by Michael O'Connell at 01:29 PM | Comments (0)
March 08, 2007
Intersting Garden Sculptures- Bruce Gray
We are working on a current project where the client found an interesting magenetic metal sculpture to be intregrated into the garden design. The sculpture, done by Los Angeles sculptor Bruce Gray, uses high powered magnets to suspend cables in a stainless steel hoop. Gray's work, featuring an assortment of metal creations is worth a look- it has appeared in various television shows and movies.
Image of Suspended Metal Sculpture from Bruce Gray Website
Posted by Michael O'Connell at 04:38 PM | Comments (0)
March 07, 2007
Current Project- Sonoma
We are getting close to wrapping up a current project in Sonoma. The plantings have been installed, mulch put out, and all the hardscape has been completed.
Posted by Michael O'Connell at 04:31 PM | Comments (0)
March 06, 2007
Current Project- Tiburon Clean up
From a current project in Tiburon, where we are clearing out an old concrete patio and trees to prepare for a new stone patio and retaining walls. The removal of the vegetation helped open up a great view.
View to Belvedere and San Francisco
Vegetation and Patio Removal
Posted by Michael O'Connell at 06:38 PM | Comments (0)
March 05, 2007
Native Plants That Are Tough
Currently we are working on a personal project to upgrade vegetation for stream corridors and create hedgerows for wildlife on a site in the Sacramento Valley. The installation consisted of Cottonwood, Buckeye, and Black Walnut trees, with Toyon and Creeping Rye grass planted as well. Taking a look at the site again recently after the cold winter weather, most of the plants are doing quite well. Retention on plantings of this type is typically pretty poor- most of the plants are not irrigated, and they are being planted from liner containers (just sprouted from cuttings).
While it is nice to see that the plantings have done well, with a 80-90% retention rate, the real test will be when the summer comes and the plants are exposed to 100+ degree temperatures without water. Fortunately, the plants were all chosen because they are native to the area and have adapted to such extremes of heat and cold. All the deciduous trees fared better than the Toyon, which was quite small and in some cases was frozen back in areas where it had less protection.
A California Buckeye (Aesculus californica) just leafing out
A dead Buckeye with Brown stem
A live Buckeye with green layer under bark. The scratch test is a simple way to test the condition of most plants.
Posted by Michael O'Connell at 10:27 AM | Comments (0)