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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!

Uncategorized

And OH what a Spring it is!

I think this was the longest winter I have ever seen in my doggie life.  Don’t get me wrong, I love rolling in the mud, and sitting by the fire.  But what I really love is a beautiful spring day, and digging up rocks :).  My favorite rock is Mexican Pebble.

* Mexican Pebble is a very smooth round rock off the beaches of Mexico.  My owners supply this product in multiple colors and sizes.
* Color is a power which influences our souls. The most popular by far is Black Mexican Pebble;  to me it looks more gray/black.   The Red Mexican Pebble; has a purple reddish hue.  And the Buff Mexican Pebble is a golden beige with specks of black and red.  Every choice is unique.
* Size, it’s not the size of the dog, but the size of the fight in the dog!  But our sizes for Mexican Pebble are 1/2″x 1″  1″x 2″  2″x 3″.  The 2″x 3″ is ideal for accenting river beds (and mix with cobble).  The 1″x2″ is most popular of all, plants, ground cover, water features.  The 1/2″x 1″ is a great solution between pavers or flagstone and ground cover.
* Do you want to go smaller?  We do have a Mexican  La Paz (3/8″x 5/8″)  and a Mexican Criva (1/8″ x 1/4″).  Both products are 90% black, with the remainder of red and buff mixed in.  Visualize the the pebbles smoothed and washed down naturally to become these smaller sizes. This would great as an elegant pathway for me to run on!
What ever product you choose, just remember, Happy Digging!

Uncategorized

Time to “March” on?

Yes!!! Spring, daylight savings and the month of March is just around the corner.  Can you believe that?  It sure has been a long COLD winter, as far as California standards go.  But, we all know the sun will come out tomorrow!  With gardening on everyone’s list, I’d love to share my soil knowledge with you.  For me, as a dog, the smellier the better with soils.
This product is a new one for us!  Nufiber® provides an all in one soil building amendment. Treated through biological and thermal process, which produces a pathogen free, organic soil amendment that can be used in lawn/garden and a variety of horticultural markets.
Growers Blend is our Veggie Gold Standard. With organic dairy manure and humus mixed together to create the perfect blend for your tomatoes.  Superior soil for superior results.
Planters Mix is our “wonderful” blend. With organic dairy manure, sand, humus, potash, calcium and potassium designed for both residential and commercial gardens.
Topsoil is a screened “sandy loam” product. This product is great for filling in holes; used under planters mix or growers blend for mounting; or bringing up the level of soil.
If help is what you need, that’s what we are here for!  My owners are always happy to help.  Happy Digging!

Clever Ideas

Start with a Plan

So you want that “amazing” backyard, but you are not quite sure what that exactly is? For me it is an area to sleep and bury my bones…..In order to make a plan from which to work from, you need to figure out “exactly” what you want! Here is a great list of questions to guide you.

  • Kickoff your plan with measuring your area. Front to back and side to side.  This will determine the square footage you want to touch. Do you have CC&Rs that effect your measurements? In your schematic list the direction of sun light, and any area you want to highlight.
  •  What is your style of your home inside and out. California Mediterranean, Contemporary, Fixer-Upper, Eclectic.  That way your style can flow all the way to your backyard area.
  • How to use is used.  Do you use the area for large entertainment; mediation;  multiple gardening options; activities – putting green, pickle ball, basketball?
  • Set the budget on your plan.  Elements in your plan may also include irrigation needs, lighting, hardscaping, gas and electrical.
    It seems like a lot to put down to begin your project, but in that process you may discover a new place to hide your “bones”.  As always Happy Digging!

 

Clever Ideas

Maybe a #firepit is in order?

All I hear lately is fire pit…what is it with you humans, and your obsession with feeling cozy?  Just think about the options available to create such a space….
*  I’m a formal dog – For this look, install a  paving stone area (such as #calstone) with a natural gas firepit.  Add a small courtyard wall to define the area. No smoke, no wood, no fuss.  It is clean, straight lines and becomes an outdoor extension of your home.
* I’m a casual dog – My idea of a #firepit is real wood, but still cozy.  This dog likes a solid surface for the ground, maybe #flagstone with #gatordust joints.  The fire pit is a #Stonewall II, two row fire pit kit.  Nice and circular allowing for conversation (or barking) with your guests.

* I’m a country dog –  I like the spaces open and free.  My fire pit area is made of compacted #DecomposedGranite with #gatorstonestabilzer.  And my fire pit kit is the Stonewall II, 3 row kit.  A little higher kit, with room for a roaring real wood bonfire!

No matter what taste your dog has, #valleyrock is the place to start.  With #firewood available, along with all the pieces to your new project.  As always……Happy Digging!

Clever Ideas, News

Dry-Scaping

Well we live in California, and yes is it dry, warm and sometimes hazy.  I usually get comfortable by lying low in the soil or lounging in the A/C.  My masters are concerned with water use with their landscaping (and all dogs need water), so a few suggestions for your outdoor living area.
*  Create areas using more hardscape ~ increase the size of your patio area~ add a #calstsone paver walkway; #decomposedgranite #firepit lounge area. Mix #flagstone with #crushed rock creating that zen feel garden. Or add a #drycreekbed made of cobble and #mexicanpebble.
* Refer to the Low-Water Garden guide produced by the state of California (tax dollars at work).  The plants listed will thrive in our environments and you will love all of them!
* Top your plants with great soil like #plantersmix or #compost.  The soil will allow the plant to retain and absorb water more efficiently.  Then topdress plants with fresh  #Bark (mulch), adding another layer of moisture – and it looks great too!  My master has many sizes, colors and types of bark (my favorite word).
* Check, check and recheck the efficiency of your irrigation system.  Check the length of time the water runs and the time of day the water is running.  Every plant has water requirements; high, medium or low.
And most of all Happy Digging!