So everyone is having a party, so that means lots of treats for me! Whenever my owners have a party, they clean up MY area (the back yard) to entertain in.  Now they have been working on the landscape all year, converting it to drought tolerant California style, but here are a few tips from my snot to yours:
*Create your center pieces out of elements from your yard; flowers, branch clippings, interesting rocks, etc.
*Use your home grown herbs and veggies to prepare the meal (talk about a personal touch!).
*Short on seating?  Bring out the house chairs and pillows.  Make a cozy inviting setting even a dog would love.
*Everyone needs a drink.  Keep my bowl full of water, and use your pottery for an ice bucket.  It’s a nice touch.
*Light it up!  Candles, tiki torches, an outdoor fire, it adds that glow I so look good next to.  Besides, I do like a nice warm spot to sleep….
*ADD SOME BARK – bark one of my favorite actions.  Every thing looks better with fresh bark.  Just visit my owners and pick up a yard or so.
And most of all do what I do, sit close and listen.  Happy Digging!

Container gardening can add an aesthetic touch to your home; or be a great place to plant those tomatoes! Container gardening can be used in small places, places with little light, and spots with lots of light.  Here are some steps to get every dog or human started:  1.  Pick you container.  Have the container reflect you and your home.  An elegant pot, a modern container or an old cowboy boot.  Have fun with it, just make sure it has a hole for drainage.
2.  Use good soil (my owners have organic potting soil), it will retain more water and make your plants happy.
3.  Have all your plants be friends.  If it is a full sun area, make sure all plants are full sun.  Use the three amigos, Thrill, Fill and Spill brothers.  The Thrill is the eye catching larger plant; the Fill are the plants that fill in the area; and the Spill are the plants that spill over the containers edge.
4.  With our drought concerns, make sure you water before 8 am and after 9 pm.  And if you are a smart dog, you will choose plants that are heat tolerant and require low water.
5.  If you are planting your boxes for vegetables, you can also add ornamental plants to dress up the look of your garden. Pretty and functional, I dig it. Speaking of digging, garden boxes are usually big enough for me to get into and dig, dig, dig.
Happy Digging!

We all need to follow a path, whether it be to your favorite lookout point or an entrance to a patio area.  So how about using Gator Stone stabilizer on your next path?   Gator Stone is a one-coat procees that creates a strong bond that resists surface erosion So you ask, what do I do? Start by marking your vision, with a rope or paint.
Outline it, make sure it is wide enough to walk on, and has some shape. Next, measure the area, length times width, now you have your square footage.  Be sure you allow extra amount for curves in your design.
Select your product…do you like decomposed granite?  This will give you the look of beautiful day wine tasting….Or do you prefer a classy sonoma gold path fines that gleams in the sun?  Our website has fantastic pictures of products, or you can drive on down to make your selection.
Begin excavating (digging, that’s my favorite part), dig down about four inches.  Line each side with bend-a-board, staking it about every 12″, you will use more stakes where the curves reside.  The bend-a-board comes in 1x4x20 pieces so plan accordingly.
Lay down a layer of our weed barrier, we have it in stock.
Put down 1.5″ deep of your selected material (decomposed granite, etc.), rake and compact (down to 1″).  Repeat this process till you reach the top of the bend-a-board.
Spray on the Gator Stone evenly to your pathway.  While the surface is still wet, compact again.  Allow 24 to 48 hours for surface to cure.
Now find your path and ignore fear!  And remember, my owners are always here to help.  Happy Digging!

The June swoon is here…just a bid cooler than average with a slight breeze.  That’s my kind of day and I do enjoy watching these humans remove their lawns.  But the really good ones always start with a plan.
Step One – Measure your area (even I can walk it off with my four paws) and make a sketch with correct measurements.
Step Two – Nail down the function; courtyard, additional walkway, planting beds, fire pit, and just low water! Pick your style,   mediterranean, tropical, rustic, cottage etc.
Step Three-Determine what materials are needed for your design; topsoil for mounding, planters mix for plants, road base & plaster sand for paver install and so on. Use your measurements to determine the correct amounts.
Step Four – Contact my owners- believe me, they can help…especially if you have a plan.  Product suggestions, calculations, brochures, product lists, and scheduling of deliveries.
Step Five – START!!!! That way I can roll in your fresh dirt.
Happy Digging!