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New Product

The Time is Now

We have all heard this phrase “the time is now”, but really it is. The time is now to complete the things you want to complete.  If you have been putting off your home projects, because of time, maybe that priority has changed.  I know as a dog, my priority is always, sleep, eat and dig.  Maybe you could learn a little from “man’s best friend”.  These are my masters favorite projects in the Spring.

  • Starting the veggie garden – Soil, water, plants and sun.  Basic ingredients.  Now we can help you with the soil. Our Growers Blend is an organic product and the perfect choice for your vegetable garden.  With a combination of dairy manure, humus, and organic matter, it adds all the ingredients possible to make your garden amazing!  This is tried and true for my masters.  they always have plenty of veggies
  • Topping off under the plants – dressing up under the plants.  it not only looks good, but it will help with weed control and moisture retention.  The selection of bark is amazing, colored barks, nugget bark and shredded barks.  Take your pick.  Bark is light, so a yard to yard and a half will fit in a pick up truck.
  • Adding a little rock into the blend; under plants, next to the house, in a creek bed and for drainage.  My masters do have two new rocks this year.  First, is the 3″ Minus Slate – a flat slate rock with black, gray and tans.  This is a perfect choice for the modern look.  The second new product is 1″ minus Oroville Gold.  The Oroville Gold rock is a tan, gray and gold round rock.  This fits more into the Mediterranean home theme. These are only two of the dozen of rocks my masters have in stock.

So the time is now, for projects, gardens and up keep on your home – and we can help!  Happy digging…..

Clever Ideas, Uncategorized

When in March ~ Just Mulch and Plant

March is in full swing, flowers blooming (and weeds too).  Warm longer days, and still cool nights  Completing maintenance on your yard is a spring list item. Gardening, planting, weed control, pruning, and oh yeah, just getting some vitamin D is on my list for sure!

  • Redoing your Garden – If you are redoing your garden from last year, start by cleaning and clearing out.  Weed the area, and get the ground smooth.  Check your irrigation lines and timers. Now remeasure the area and the depth you will need to refill with #growersblend.  With our extra evening hour, it is the perfect time to work.  #wedeliver
  • New Garden Install – Location, Location, Location.  Sunshine, water, soil and love are the key ingredients.  Raised garden beds are always easier on the back, and look trendy too.  But my Grandpa always just planted in the good old Earth.  Both choices do require our #growersblend.  In your raised garden beds, measuring is more exact – just tell us square footage and the depth you require.  For planting in the Earth, turning the soil over, adding in new #growersblend. Create your rows and mound up with our soil.
  • The Area Around Your Garden – You know, that area you walk on? We have great choices- #rock #bark aka #mulch.  These products will keep the area more weed free, and clean too.  A crushed rock (not a round rock) will pack down better and have a tendency to stay in place.  We have many selections of rock to choose from; crushed, round and color variations.  Around the garden boxes, rock creates a clean edge that many people love.  For gardening with rows in the Earth, many gardeners do prefer bark (mulch).  It will decompose back into the Earth, while help with the weed issue between rows.  Our bark selection, we have color choice and styles too.  Bark, of course is a “lighter” weight material, thus easier on your back for install.
    Happy Digging!

 

Uncategorized

Our word for 2020 is Sanctuary

Sanctuary – such a calming word. To me it means a cozy spot and a nice treat.  To my owners it means their home.  2020 is the year we all make our homes, our sanctuaries.  But where to start?  Maybe just begin with one piece, one section, one area.

  •  The Front Entry ~ this is the gateway into your home.  What vibe to you want to feel as you enter your home? A new different walkway, an addition of a courtyard, fresh bark, new plants…..all great ideas.
    •   Today I will give you a few Courtyard Suggestions:
      •   One simple and easy to installation solution is a Deco Rock area. Create the shape with bend-a-board edging.  The edging will also contain the rock.  Lay down weed barrier fabric under the rock, and place the rock about 2″ to 3″ deep.
      •  Decomposed Granite (think California Winery style) with Stone Stabilizer added to harden the surface. This requires a little more effort in applying the stabilizer. Create the shape of the area, and dig down about 2″ to 3″.  Install the Decomposed Granite and tamp it as you go.  Apply the Stabilizer with a sprayer to harden the surface.
      •  #Calstone pavers will really elevate the area.  With the colors choices, style (paver finishes) and sizes, certainly one will fit your home.   This is your chance to change the movement of the walkway and entrance. You will need to remove 6″ of material.  Replace the area with 2″ of Road Base and 2″ of Plaster Sand, then install your pavers. Once installed you can add Super Sand to lock in the pavers.  And for a final touch spray on a sealer – you know to seal the deal!     Happy Digging!
Clever Ideas

How I Love the Sun

Every year is different for all of us. And 2020 is no exception!  We have been blessed with such beautiful days and cool nights.  For me as a dog, basking in the sun is my main objective.  And of course watching you humans labor along is my other.  So how about laboring in the garden?

  •  Time to plant and refresh.  Yes, I said plant!  The better the product, the better the return.  And yes it is true.  Just ask my humans.  Every year they use #growersblend for their garden, and by golly it does work.  This rich soil is a blessing, and to think it is available at #valleyrock.  The proof is in the pudding, but in this case, in the lemons, in the tomatoes, you get the message.
  • Did you say refresh……Refresh the soil under your plants, refresh the bark on the ground, refresh the rock around your home.  It all matters.  My humans are experts at figuring out what you need.  They love to help.  Help you with measurements, help you with product selection, help you with setting up deliveries.  Just reach a paw out….
  • Design? Yes we can help with that.  We love measurements, pictures, and drawings.  My humans love all this.  Just bring it in or email it over.  Oh yeah their is always facebook (or should it be dogbook?).
  • It starts with just a corner.  Happy Digging!

 

Clever Ideas

Sealers and Stabilizers

I do like a clean surface to lounge on.  With the landscaping stabilized and sealed it makes relaxing a lot more enjoyable!

Sealer ~ Why Seal?
Gator seal is an acrylic copolymer used to seal concrete pavers and sometime even walls. It penetrates deep into the concrete paver pores, thus reducing the oil and dirt penetration (yeah!).  It is low VOC, and comes in various gloss levels.  I like the zero gloss personally.  This product works best on a perfect day, not too hot or cold, and not too windy.
Signature Natural Stone sealers will enhance the color of natural stone and make the stone easier to maintain in your home.  Talk about giving it a “punch”.

Stabilize to Utilize
Stabilizer can be a binding agent, a stone stabilizer, or a bonding material.  A binding agent would be the Gator Dust that is used between gaps of natural stone.  Thus creating a “mortar” like effect.  Hardening up once it is wet.
Gator Super Sand is used between the joints of concrete pavers to seal, keep organic matter out of the joints, and to ensure the integrity of the paver.  Both products are available in gray or tan.
Stone Stabilizers are most popular when applied with our Decomposed Granite.  it is applied via a sprayer to a tamped surface creating a hardened area.  Always a hit at the local brewery or winery!
Gator Bonds are used to secure blocks (calstone roman stone) or caps on walls.  A bond binder kit can also secure together a rock that is 3/8″ minus.  Bond Binder would be mixed with the rocks and then installed.  A little more work, with a fantastic result.

Sealers or Stabilizers are usually something you do near the end of a project, or as a maintenance task for your home.  If it’s suggestions or advice you need, my owners are good at that.
Happy Digging!

News

Fire Safe = Neighbor Friendly

Fire Safety is a year round event for us Californians.  Fire Safety is not only smart, but will also increase the value of your property.  And that my fellow neighbors is good news for all.  As far as us dogs are concerned, what ever makes my owners happy, makes me even happier.
*  Prune, clean and clear your property year round.  Not only is it fire smart, but it will reduce the rodent and insect population.
* Create firebreaks with hardscaping.  Add a path made of flagstone, a patio or courtyard  installed with Calstone pavers or even design in a moss rock wall to add dimension.
* Install a water feature.  A pondless feature with a rock stream, a fountain accented by Mexican Pebble, or a full pond with fish.  It will cover more area up in your yard, provide a pleasant sound, and more importantly a drinking spot for me!
* Decrease soil erosion with installation of rock, stone or any other hardscape on all open ground areas.  This will also decrease water run off in the winter. And fire safety in our dry months.
* If you reside on a large piece of property, 30 feet of clearance is suggested.  Eliminate fire ladders by trimming the bottom of trees, mow frequently, group plants together and cover up the ground.  Fire fuel is not our friend.

But most of all be a good neighbor (I know I am).  What one home does (or does not do)  can effect all the others.  Happy Digging!

Clever Ideas, Uncategorized

The heat rises….then it drops!

What great valley weather, the heat comes in and all things bloom.  Then our delta breeze arrives and us humans (and dogs) are much happier.  Our plants and yards do sometimes suffer with our 45 degree swings.  Here are some suggestions for our plants friends, and to keep your yard looking and feeling cooler.

  •  Bark – This makes for great moisture retention around the roots.  It also keeps the blazing sun off my plant friends!  So many bark colors, textures and sizes to choose from.  A few yards of material, can make your home stand out!
  • Soil – Soil is a friend to my plants.  Our Growers Blend and Planters Mix will both replenish the depleted soils.  You will see a difference after you amend the soils by your plants.
  • Rock & Stone – Cover the bare areas with Weed Barrier.  Top weed barrier with Quartzite Flagstone, and add Black Mexican Pebble between the each flagstone.  This will cover up some bare spots, going from bare to flare!
  • Pavers – Now talk about choices!  This is a man-made concrete product that is 2 3/8″ thick.  It is laid on flat level surface, placed on a bed of sand.  The colors selections, paver sizes, and textured tops can create the look you (or your dog) desire. Then you can put my friends the plants, in colored pottery to increase the “cool” factor.

Happy Digging from your 4-legged friend!

Uncategorized

What is your yard decor?

We all love to decorate our homes.  But how about our outdoor portions of our homes?  Adding a different rock, a colored bark, a courtyard wall, or new paving stone patio.  Ahhh the possibilities that are available to you humans….

* Let’s start basic- Rock- The shape of the rock, do you want a round rock or a crushed (jagged) rock?  Next is the size.  Rock can be as large as Cobble Rock that is  2″ to 4″ or 5″ to 12″ in size.  And as small as a small as a path fines (1/4″ minus) or decomposed granite.  The size you choose mainly depends on it’s function.  A walkway requires a small size for safety reasons. A 3/8″, 3/4″ or 1/1/2″ makes for a great ground cover.  The larger cobble rocks are ideal for river beds. Now don’t even get me started on boulders….. and the colors of rocks!
* Bark aka Mulch – A Bark/Mulch can be a chip product, a fibrous product or a nugget shaped product.    The function of bark can be to keep your plants warm at night, moisture close to the soil and weed control.  It is light and easy to install.  It can add a pop of color and texture change to your decor. A win-win for my owners!
* Paving Stones- This can create an actual patio for my little paws to walk on.  Pavers come in a variety of sizes with the smallest one starting at a 4 1/2″x6″ and now the largest one is 24″x 24″.  Boy does this make a difference on the design.  You can go with a textured finish (Quarry Stone) that is multi colored for a Mediterranean flair.   Or if modern is your jam, look for the smooth finish of the Mission Paver.  The looks are incredible!
* Walls ~ I do love a nice wall to walk on and keep watch on what’s going on.  You can create a wall as a courtyard accent.  A wall is something to define a space and welcome you in.  If you need an actual retaining wall to hold back the earth, look at the Geo Wall or Allen Block series for this function.  And you can even customize a wall more, you can face a flat wall manufactured stone, thus adding an amazing flair!

Your decor is YOUR decor.  And as for color, we all see color different, (we dogs are color blind!) and we do have samples.  Maybe you need to take a sample baggie of material, a sample board of manufactured stone or look at our paver selection boards.  What ever your decor, we are here to explore.  Happy Digging!