Well tomorrow the hours of the day equal the hours of the night. Not to worry, I like to dig in the day and in the night!  But it is a perfect time to plant and replant in your yard.  Put down fresh bark, add soil for fall plants, stock up on firewood and prepare for all the upcoming festivities. And such an amazing week we all have in front of us.  With the Autumn Equinox on September 23rd, to the Harvest moon full on the 27th of September.   It’s also apple season. Here is a few fun facts for you apple lovers out there:
1 Lb of apples is equal to 2 large, 3 medium or 4 small apples
1 Lb of apples equals 3 cups
The first apple tree was planted by a pilgrim
An apple tree can live for more than 100 years
Apples are grown in all 50 states
An Apple is not just a phone
So make a pie, a crisp, a puff or some cider and celebrate autumn under the harvest moon.
Happy Digging!

Wow!!! It’s almost fall and what a great time to create something beautiful for me in my backyard.  The leaves are on the verge of falling to the ground, and I do love to roll in them.  September is the perfect time for the fall planting season.  And Mid-September is the perfect time to start.
Before starting to plant, do prepare your soil.  Do shovel or rotary tiller your soil.  Mix it up and add some new humus or growers mix. Add four to five inches of soil, then you will really see results. Along with your fall vegetables (cabbage, lettuce, spinach), add some fall color.  Your garden will change, just as I do!
We are so blessed to live in a region with a wonderful fall season.
Happy Digging!

Thirty days hath September, so my master tells me.   And so many holidays to celebrate.  We start with Labor Day (founded in 1882) on the 7th, celebrating the achievements of working dogs and humans a like.
California Admissions day falls on the 9th, our states’s 165th birthday!  So make some cake and have a party.
Patriot’s day comes on 9/11, many men, woman and dogs lost their lives.  But our resilience is still strong, and we carry on!
My favorite day is the 13th, Grandparents day.  A wonderful day to bless the ones that come before us.
What ever day you celebrate with your family and friends, make it an amazing day!

My owners actually love me so much they are making a dog friendly yard for me and my partner in crime, “Lucy Bell”.
Here are a few items they are implementing at my place:
I love a good running path…create a border along the fence line so I can patrol the area thoroughly.  Use crushed rock with stone, enclosed in bend-a-board to make a great running surface, and a patrol route for me!
I dig a good boulder or two…Give a me boulder that I can climb on and use as a lookout. A nice moss rock will do. I also need a smaller boulder for my marker spot.  That’s quite important to us male doggies.  Place it at the edge of my patrol area, that’s where I like it.
I do enjoy my comforts….Give me some comfy bark to walk on, and some decomposed granite to run through.  Both feel great on my paws.  Don’t forget my access to water with a pond less water feature.  That way I can have a sip and get my paws wet.  By all means, give me some shade.  Place my shade in the cooler side of my yard, because I’m going to dig there anyhow!
Happy Digging!

With the end of August, all my little humans leave and go back to school.  How I miss my play time with them (sigh). Now my owner says, it’s back to project time (two paws up to that).  Here is a project that can be completed in a weekend or two- so let’s get digging!

Connecting your backyard areas – We all have that open space from the patio to the shed, or the patio to the pool, or the patio to the side yard or the patio to the fire pit.  Why not connect the two areas together?  Making it functional and cohesive, in one shot.
Create a column entry point, using roman stone or courtyard block (both Calstone products).  Either block with give you symmetric columns, with a finished look.  If you want something less formal, utilize larger moss rocks (2×2 size) slightly mounded in topsoil. It will give it height and presence.  Accent the base of the rocks or columns with plants and bark to finish .
Now that you have an entrance established, how about finishing the pathway?  Edge with bend-a-board, making the path  at least 30″ wide, wider if your space allows for it.  Fill the path with 3″ of product, such as 3/8″ crushed rock, decomposed granite, black and white path fines, 3/8″ sonoma gold, or 3/8″ black lava.  If you wish to add natural stone as stepping stones, place them in the pathway prior to adding your pathway product.  Have some fill sand on hand to level the stones in the path.
You don’t care for bend-a-board?  How about; roman stone turned on it’s side, cobble rock lined on the path line, oregon eagle ledge stone stacked, or moss rock minis as an alternative edging?
Schedule your backyard update on your calendar, the weather is perfect, my master’s landscape products are at hand, and my little human kiddos are depending on you.  Happy digging!

When designing or redesigning your yard, always think about stimulating all 5 senses.  For me, I like the taste and smell of the earth, the sound of the birds, and the sight of squirrels running from me.  I feel of bark on my paws, what a glorious feeling that is when digging into it.  But for you humans, your 5 senses come in many different avenues.  Here are a few ways you can sitimulate your human brain right at your home:

*  I SEE you-  So many options.  From the color of the plants, to elevation changes in your design.  By adding a mound of soil with seasonal color or a low Roman Stone Wall to sit on; these changes direct your sight to the area you want to emphasize.  The more layers of color, the better.  Have the greens bloom in the spring, and the yellow and oranges bloom in the fall.  Even with my color blindness, I do enjoy the shade variations in my corner of the world.
*  What’s that I HEAR? – A calming sound of a water feature as I doze off on my doggie bed sure makes a canine smile.  The rustling of leaves in a tree, and the chirping of birds, all add to your sensations.  If you are installing a water feature, do pondless.  It uses less water and is easier to install.  With the positioning of rocks in your water feature, you can effect the sounds. Doze off with the lull of water running,  you will never go back!
*  What is that I SMELL – Sometimes a smell can bring a fond memory from a time gone by.  Remember that smell that of a tree or plant that bloomed near your childhood (or puppyhood) window?  Or the fragrance of your mother’s favorite rose bush?  Add some of your own memories in garden scents.  And don’t forget my favorite smell – GROWERS MIX!  Scents will entice you to stay out in your yard more, and just enjoy every moment.
*  Boy did that TASTE good – Edible gardening is really the way to go.  Maybe all our grandparents knew what they were doing when they planted the spring and winter garden.  If it’s a lot for you to do, start small.  Add a lemon or lime tree, or some basil and rosemary.  The harvest you get from your own yard really does taste better!
*  How do you FEEL today?  Have you ever walked on soft ground cover and felt the coolness on your paws?  Or brushed against a lavender brush and enjoyed the bonus of the smell?   The “feel” of your garden can hook you into doing more in your yard.
So the next time you feel a little lethargic, just go home, the answer may be in your own yard just waiting for you to discover….Happy Digging!