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Clever Ideas

What a year it has been!

To think that it’s almost 23? How can that be? To me, it’s time to be free. I dig in the dirt and play ball everyday- I’m just a dog, what can I say.

Now to you humans life is very fleeting, you scurry you hurry- what is the meaning? But when it comes to your home, there is no need to roam. Just make it unique – Include our growers blend with your gardening technique. You may add a new patio with flagstone and pebbles- just make sure it levels. Add in some sod, to make some green space. Maybe a pathway, with crush or just fines. You will love it for sure and it is your design.
If you are thinking of bark (my favorite word) there are oodles of types; colors and shapes, it’s the best thing to use, make no mistake. Make it at least three inches thick, putting it down goes really quick. Bark will keep the weeds down and look really good. Your home will be the best in the neighborhood.

My best part of all is the two legged kind. You customers give my humans such great piece of mind. We are grateful for all of you, the homeowner and the contractor. We will load you by bag or with our big tractor. So thank you to all, the big and to small. We are just a rock yard, here on the corner. Helping our community one yard at a time. It’s been a good year, so we give you a cheer. Wish you good health and happiness too. We look forward to next year, let’s make all our homes look anew.
Just remember my phrase Happy Digging as the New Year’s bells are ringing.

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Sweaters n’ September

The hot weather is finally behind us, cool nights are creeping in. We have been cooped up inside for so long to avoid the heat, we are finally starting to make our way back outside. My humans have started planning for fall planting. They stopped by Valley Rock and picked up Grower’s blend to put some nutrients back into the soil from all the summer planting. They also got shredded cedar to mulch the top of the garden beds to help with moisture retention, insulating the roots of the plants, and to keep me from digging.  We live in Zone 9 for planting so all the goodies we are planting are Broccoli, Corn, Spinach, Lettuce, and Cabbage. It will be a real treat.  

HAPPY DIGGIN’

Clever Ideas

From May to June – Prune, Preserve and Party

Once Memorial Day comes around, our summer pattern begins to set in with longer days and warmer nights.  The end of May is also the time to hit what I call the 3 ‘Ps’.  Pruning, Preserving and of course Partying.  You can’t do the last one, till the 1st two are  complete!

Prune – Get your tools and green waste can out. Once your shrubs are done blooming, deadhead and trim. Next add a layer of top dressing. Our recommendation is to top dress with Grower’s Blend (it contains yummy organic manner).

Preserve – by preserve, I mean water.  Test and check your irrigation system.  Check for time of day, duration, broken lines and valves. The next best preservation step is to add a  layer of  bark 2″ to 3″. The bark will not all retain moisture, but also help with weed control.  The nice polished look of fresh bark is a bonus!

Party – Now this is my favorite PART of all.  Enjoy the fruits of your labor. Whether you are celebrating a graduation, Father’s Day,  or just another beautiful day, your yard will be ready. Your home will reward you, both visually and spiritually!
Happy Digging!

 

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On to the May flowers..

We always get the showers in April and the may flowers are bound to follow.

Here are a few key steps my masters do to make sure there are veggies o’ plenty for the year.

When it comes to gardening you need a plan, starting off with what you are going to be growing your garden in! My masters go to is using Tarter Stock tanks for a raised garden. They love how easy it is to start planting and there is way less prep work versus traditional garden boxes.

The next step and the most important is soil. Although I don’t think it was all that fair that they get to play in the dirt and when I do it, they don’t like it.  Every year we make sure our plants have the best nutrients in the soil. When we first started our raised garden beds my master brought in so Growers Blend (recommended for gardens) and for all the flowers they brought in Planters Mix (recommended for general planting). These days we normally just add extra nutrients soil with Organic compost (amendment).

The last step is making sure those veggies and flowers are protected. This can be done by adding a shredded bark on top. This helps with pests, weed, and retaining moisture to keep the plants cool all summer long.

As always the staff at Valley Rock is always there to help with finding the amount of product you need!

Clever Ideas

Has Spring Already Sprung?

It is only the beginning of February and I am already wanting to wade in water.  But what does this do to my friend Mother Earth and her plants?  According to my elder friend Farmer Almanac, he says that California will be mild and dry this winter.  So that’s what we are going with – mild and dry.

For the next 45 days my masters are focusing on two main items ~ which always begin with a PLAN!

Spend some time on your irrigation~ with water being such a precious product, we all want to make sure it is used to the utmost efficiency.  Broken lines, rerouting lines and testing your system should be key.  Draw your garden area out to include irrigation plans.  Set your timers and valves correctly. It will save you time (and $) in the long run.

Devising ways to hold back your soil ~ You know, a way to contain your moist fresh soil! You don’t want that good Growers Blend spilling out of it’s area.  Whether it is a full grown planter bed make with block or an edging made with moss rock, a method of retention is needed.  When you measure, allow for areas to walk, note where the sunny spots will be, and don’t forget about our friend irrigation.  And again it all plays back into your Plan. Most of all by defining planting areas, I will know where the good soil is to lay in!
Option B for planting ~ just purchase one of our Tarter Stock Tanks.  We have oval and round, with multiple sizes to choose from.  I know that it is not easy for me to dig in, but easier for my masters to manage.

Happy Digging!

 

New Product

It’s Raining, It’s Pouring…

I don’t really love the rain… my humans don’t like to take me on very many walks, my paws are always wet, and my favorite toys get covered in mud!

What I do love about the rain is my humans are home more (which means more belly rubs for me!) The rain always makes the house cold, so my humans use Black Walnut Hardwood to heat up the house! I LOVE curling up in my dog bed next to the fire, and this stuff really warms me up! The Black Walnut Hardwood burns so hot and for such a long time!

 My humans keep talking about how convenient it was to pick up since it was available in full pallets, half pallets and by the bundle! There is no dirt, no bark, which means less mess! (Although who doesn’t love to BARK) They even purchase the smaller pieces sometimes which I think makes for a rather great stick to chew on!

Clever Ideas

I’ll see you in September….

Ahhhhh September, cool nights and warm days- it’s the best.  My Owners love that pumpkin spice stuff, to me it’s just OK. Did you know that September is the 2nd most patriotic month of the year?
With Patriot Day (9/11), Constitution Day (9/17). International Peace Day (9/21) all happening this month, that’s a lot of honor in one month!  Not to mention that FALL begins.

So on to Fall projects-

Create defensible space ~  Any type of hardscape; rock, flagstone, pavers and walls.  This project is the most important of all. You can create a barrier and beautify your home.  Always start with measurements.  We can assist you with your ideas and dreams!

Clean up ~ All I can say is buy dirt.  Deadhead and trim.  Then top dress with fresh planters mix or growers blend.  Your plants will thank you with fresh foliage.  You can pick up a small amount or we can deliver a larger amount.

Invite Friends Over ~ Enjoy the space you have created!  Us dogs love company and affection.  Happy Digging!

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Creating Defensible Zones

As the main defender of my home, I know how important it is to keep my masters safe, but there’s one thing I can’t protect against…wildfires.

California now requires 100 feet of defensible space around the 8 million homes and business like mine that are in high risk burn areas. The most important defense zone is within 10 feet of the structure, walk with me and I’ll share my tips for a fire protected landscape. That’s where I hang out, and I love my tail!

Known as the ember resistant zone, it should be designed to keep embers from igniting fuel that can spread the fire to your home. Adding pavers to your walkways (I love Calstone products) and patio spaces are excellent hardscape options.

Lean, Green & Clean- Keeping your plants and trees trimmed, distanced, and healthy is vital in preventing a fire or embers from reaching your structures. Now is the perfect time of year to add an extra layer of soil to your planted areas to keep them green, (and me digging).

Imagine your side yard pathway flourishing with vegetable planted water wise stock tanks surrounded by a stylish and functional pebble. Please visit the official Cal Fire website (fire.ca.gov) to learn more about creating a defensible space.

-Happy Digging!