April begins with all the April’s Fool jokes….humans hiding my bones, (it’s not funny to me); and ends with Arbor Day on April 29th, (go plant a tree!) And there are so many things going on in between.  With me digging up fresh growers blend, to me lounging on fresh Delta Blue Grass sod.I truly enjoy watching you humans work feverishly in your yards. Here are some of the projects I see happening…
*  Gardens going in.  Our OMRI Growers Blend which consists of dairy manure, forestry humus, calcium and potash is my choice for the veggies.  Do you need help figuring out how much you need? Just call my humans, they are really smart like that.
*  Flower beds being revitalized.  The Planters Mix, which is humus and topsoil aka “50-50″; works wonders.  If you fill the area with planters mix, you will have color all season.
*  Sod installations.  Now for this topic make sure you put a good layer of planter mix (2″ to 3″) for best results.  And to ensure you have the freshest product, plan ahead.  Order your sod 48 hours (2 days) in advance, our vendor will cut the sod when you order it.  Now that’s service!
* Bark Bark Bark…Nothing looks better than fresh bark.  Bark is my favorite; it’s lighter to move, it’s cost effective, and I love the way it smells.  One cubic yard of bark will cover 100 sqft 3” deep. What ever variety you choose, my owners would love to assist you.
* Connecting pathways, always a plus for us dogs.  Why not connect some areas together in your yard?  You can create a walkway with decomposed granite, 3/8 crushed rock, 3/8 black and white path fines or 3/8 pea gravel.  Just edge it with bend -a-board (a flexible edging) and fill in.  To add more dimension, set in the path natural stone.  I really like Arizona flagstone, it’s a great color against my fur…
So no matter what project you want to tackle this week, Valley Rock is here to advise and plan with you.  Happy Digging!

Mexican Pebbles, such a nice smooth rock to dig up, and it blends with so many landscape styles.  Here are just a few suggestions my master and I have for you.
*  For a mid-century modern (think Frank Lloyd Wright) look, make a square pattern walk way with 3″ gaps.  Fill gaps with ½ to 1 black Mexican pebble. The contrast with the gray shades will achieve this smashing look.
* In our warm valley, many of us dogs love water.  So if you have a water feature and want to update it, try mixing in some Mexican pebble.  It’s probably time to clean the feature out, and while you are doing that, remove some of the existing cobble.  Replace it with 2×3 Mexican pebble.  If you are really adventurous, mix the red Mexican pebble in as well.
* We all love resort living….why not mimic that feel in your yard?  Plant some palms, along with other heat loving plants and dress the earth with 1×2 black Mexican pebbles.  You can tie in additional Mexican pebble in other planting areas in your yard to give it that cohesive relax feel.
* Namaste….can you say zen? Mexican pebble can create a Japanese garden, or a meditation zone. Add a red japanese maple, some green variegated grasses and statement piece of statuary, then cover the ground with all mexican pebble.  As a plus, it is also a low maintenance area.
*  You don’t have any large projects planned?  How about just dressing up your pots?  You can give you potted plants a punch with Mexican pebbles along the base.  It will contrast the pot color, and assist with drainage.
What ever project you tackle, just remember….Happy Digging!

Easter week, Spring Break and Holy Week, it is all about renew, rebirth and regrowth.  Whether you enjoy chocolate bunnies, colored eggs, Easter bunnies or chasing baby chicks (like I do), this first week of spring is about new beginnings. When starting your garden I always think of my senses…dig, sniff and bark.
*  Now to dig is one of my favorite forms of entertainment.  By digging or amending of your soil in your garden, you are performing the most important task.  This does take a bit of paw labor, from purchasing the soil, to moving it to your area, to working it into the garden space, it’s all paws on deck.  A depth of 24″ (or my height) is a good rule for how deep does your garden soil needs to be to produce a hearty harvest.
*  Sniff, sniff, sniff, I can always tell a great soil just by using my nose! Choose our Growers Blend soil, which is OMRI listed dairy manure, forestry humus, calcium and potash; and the scent is heavenly.  The better soil will yield better results.
*  To bark, is to be happy.  Now to make your veggies happy, place bark around the base of each plant.  My owners have multiple bark options in stock to pick from. Bark will hold the moisture in the soil and keep the plants less dirty.
So, renew, regrow, replenish and arise.  Spring is here, go get it done and Happy Digging!

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We all know that March came in like a lion, with consecutive days of rain, we all experienced it!  Our March miracle has ensured that it will go out like a lamb with sunny days and frost free nights.  This brings my thought to digging…particularly in my garden.
* Amending is the ticket to a bountiful outcome.  Dig up that soil (with your paws or a shovel) and add in some humus, growers blend, worm castings or planters mix.  We all need some extra nutrients after a long winters nap.
* The better quality your soil, the less water required.  In your amended quality soil, you will be able to place garden veggies closer together. Sharing the water and the nutrients.  Thus more space for me to hide my bones
* Unused space can be your new vegetable garden.  An urban garden can be created in small courtyard or patio.  Containers, pots hanging on a fence, or small garden boxes can be transformed.  Just make sure the sunshine hits your garden.
* Do the math…Soil can be purchased by the cubic yard or in bags.  One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, and will cover 100 square feet 3″ deep.  My humans are really good at calculations and can assist you!
Most importantly just tend to the garden areas, we all grow in different ways.  Or in my case dig in different ways.  Happy Digging!  

To sit and gaze at my dog-nation surroundings on a freshly sodded area is one of my favorite things.  With sod blends developed right here in Northern California, focusing on drought and disease resistance along with excellent color and texture. Here are a few tips when installing sod.

• Remove and kill existing lawn.  Make sure you have your irrigation marked to eliminate damage.
• Mix (rototill) in new soil, my owners recommend planters mix. Figure out your soil based on square footage at 4 inches deep.
• If you irrigation is installed, mark it to avoid damage.  Test it and make any necessary repairs.
• Rake soil till smooth; make the soil level one inch below sidewalk level.  Use a roller to ensure all low and high spots are smoothed out. Once soil is amended and leveled, add Mission Grow Fertilizer (granulated) on top.
• ORDER YOUR SOD 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE FROM MY OWNERS – YOU WANT IT FRESH!
•  Start laying your sod from the back at the longest straight line, work forward and try not to step on sod.Trim to fit edges, but avoid cutting small pieces to fit in spots.
• Use the roller again to help with sod contact with the soil.  Once completed try to stay off for two weeks.  Set your timer for watering (between midnight and 5am). Your first mowing will be approximately two weeks later.
  Enjoy your lush green surrounds, Happy digging!

Dirt vs Soil?   Which one wins this battle?  Well in the arena of gardening, soil will always be the victor.  But why asks a curious dog….the same reasons us dogs love soil, are the same reasons that soil is marvelous for your garden.

*  Organisms build structure, structure holds moisture; growers blend, planters mix, compost and humus all contain organisms. Dirt does not have organisms and will not hold moisture.
* When soil has structure, the nutrients remain longer in the soil.  Water is retained and moves slowly in soil; in dirt, water moves through causing leaching and run off.
* And oh the smell…the richer the soil, the stronger the smell.   The lovely fragrance originates from organic plant matter or dairy bi-products. One of the easiest ways to improve our clay soil is to amend. Humus is compost that is broken down.   Planters mix and growers blend are amended and ready for you to plant and sow.
* Even though I can not see colors as well as you humans, the colors of the soils are also a factor.  Black soils often have a stronger structure, which is what you want for planting and great for digging.  Red soils are often deficient in nutrients and need to be amended.
As we all strive to have better tomatoes than last year, remember the soil is the key.  Happy Digging!

“Whether or not we are together”…or “what great weather we are having”; either way, both statements a makes a dog happy.  February has so much to cheer about; Mardi Gras, Chinese New Year (Hello Mr. Monkey), Valentine’s Day (Miss you Lucy Bell), and mostly importantly honoring our Presidents.  In the garden here are some things all our paws can be doing.
*  Prune your roses.  Put those long sleeves and gloves on, grab your clippers and go at it.
* Start amending your garden beds.  Fresh soil, such as Growers Blend is an excellent choice.  Turn and rotate that soil, and mix in the fresh new soil.  I can’t wait to smell the fresh flowers and taste the yummy veggies.  Not only does it smell bark-ili-ous, but the plants love it too!
* Check on your equipment.  Clean your lawn mower, garden tools, modify landscape lighting times, and inspect your irrigation system.  Good preparation makes dogs and people happy.

As our days get warmer and the sun stays out just a little bit longer, every creature begins to feel renewed.  Tend to that yard and give my master a call at Valley Rock.  All paws are on deck and ready to help.  And as always Happy Digging!

It rains, then the sun comes out.  Pretty soon we will have more sunny days and less rainy days. But Plan-u-ary is a perfect time to get organized and ready for your projects!  And that excites me, I am always up for changing my surroundings. My master tells me that planning is the largest portion of any project.  But I disagree, I believe it is the digging.

* Start with a scale drawing – Note which way your home/project faces (north, south, east or west).  Don’t forget to note the scale (1″=5 feet, etc).
*Site Analysis does not mean site paralysis… Include drainage, house location, trees, driveway, exits and entrances.
* Needs vs. Wants- This is always the most difficult one for me.  I want people food; but I need dog food…ugh.  So we must prioritize which chunk to bite off (no pun intended), for our project.
* How will my master ever maintain this? – Always consider how to keep it all looking good once completed.  If you want low maintenance, do more hardscape, pavers, sitting walls, trees and shrubs.  Regularly replenish your bark (4″ deep) around perennials to keep weeds down.
* Establish the budget- We all need to know how many bones we have to work with.  My master can help you with estimates on products…just call or go to the webiste.
* Define Spaces and don’t forget mine-What is the public space, the area you see from the street and the vision for it.  And your private spaces, your back door patio and my dog house.  Are your private spaces accessible from the house?  Now is the time to make that happen!
So take the time to plan, February is right around the corner.  And remember, we are your provider for life, here to help you…Happy Digging!