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Clever Ideas

September- summer’s last kiss

Who doesn’t love fall time?  Cooler nights and milder days…. after 35 extremely hot days in the last three months; today is a blessing! With that in mind, it is time to get outside and get things done on a perfect September day.
*  Fall Planting can be enchanting- Yellows, purples and oranges.  These are the colors that compliment my coat the best.  To get the most of your fall gardening, amend, amend, amend.  Our Planters Mix is the perfect solution!  You can pick it up or we can send a truck.
* Maintain so you don’t strain – Deadhead your plants and shrubs. They will love you for it. The more you do now in this mild weather, the more your garden will continue to flourish. It will also help produce new growth and bloom.
* Harvest fest keeps you unstressed -When your veggies are finished producing, and as you begin to pull the garden out, don’t forget to add it to your compost pile.  And oh yeah, make some yummy fresh salsa for my master.
* Fire & Flame to watch the ball game- So now is the time to start that fire pit or fire place lounge area. I know how you humans love that fire.  We can help with the materials and design elements. Start with your measurements and go from there!
As you breathe in the fresh September air, don’t despair, just grab a chair and share….. Happy Digging!

 

Clever Ideas

I can smell late summer

Late August……It always has a particular scent in our Valley.  A little dryness.  You can almost smell the soil in need of replenishing.  I know because I like to lay in it to keep me cool. Here are a few tidbits as we relax on these warm dayz.
* Stay in the border- Now you may replant your beds with fall color. It is the perfect time to amend with our Planters Mix or Growers Blend.  And while you are digging (my favorite word), top off with one of our many ‘Barks”.
*Think outside the borders-The areas in front of your garden bed, or retaining wall may need some TLC.  By adding material, as small as Decomposed Granite or as large as Random Cobble, you can begin to expand your borders.  A little change in your landscape can make a big difference.
*Room with a view – So you have a smallish space?  Who cares…you can still make it your own.  By painting an exterior accent wall, adding a sitting area, fire pit area, or bar area; you have now extended your living environment.  And the best accessory is me, your faithful companion.
So if you change is large or small, all areas can be improved or modified.  And if you do stop by here @valleyrock, stop in for your free Paw-a-graph.  Happy Digging!

Clever Ideas

Eclipses, relationships, at your fingertips

All the talk of the Eclipse is making us dogs crazy… Does it really change the way we respond, act or feel?  The human experts say that the air temp will drop, birds will chirp uncontrollably, cows will return to their barns and whales will breach!!! That is a whole lot of activity in the animal kingdom.  But for you humans it may be a great time to get your creative juices flowing.
Start a new project – Either indoors or out.  Be inspired- the time is now.  This upcoming weekend is what we dogs call barking weather!  Just perfect.
Now my masters always love being outdoors with me.  How about a fire pit area?  Just a few tips to get you moving.
* Pick an area about 12′ x 12′ for your new entertainment area.  There are many options for the ground.  It can be as simple as adding 3/8 crush rock or decomposed granite 4″ deep- you would need less than two yards.  Now that sounds doable.
* Pick out one of my masters pre-packaged fire pit kits.  All the stones are wrapped on a pallet and can be loaded in your truck. So easy, it will surprise you.
* Pick out some firewood.  Both oak and almond firewood is readily available.  You can buy a little (small rack) or buy enough to start the season.
Now you are ready to sit and experience the eclipse.  Just be on alert Monday August 21 in the morning between 9 am and noon. They say yes animals may be going crazy!  Happy Digging!

 

New Product

For the Love of Fire

So I have a friend of mine named Wyatt, that knows a lot about fire.This young male human taught me many things…..including the love of the flame. Why the flame you ask?  Now my friend Wyatt seems to enjoy the color…but my masters love the function.

*  Qing and Smoking- now these cooking methods bring out the flavors of good ole meat.  Some prefer to use the Charcoal Briquets for the simplest method; or Lump Charcoal which is 100% hardwood and contains no chemicals…all natural and adds smokey flavor.  Wood Chunks can be combined while grilling with briquets and lump charcoal, creating the must yummiest of flavors.  All these Lazzari restaurant grade products are available at my masters yard.
*  Firewood- you could be a Oak Firewood fan or an Almond Firewood fan, both varieties are for sale in multiple quantities.  The firewood is sold by the full cord, 1/2 cord, 1/4 cord and a small rack.  You can pick firewood up (and pet me while you are here) or my masters can deliver to you!  Always seasoned, 16″ split and ready to burn.
*  FirePits – this is the my most  preferred item….a place to lounge by, visit with my master, feel the warmth and see the flame (as my friend Wyatt has taught me).  My masters have ready made firepits at their yard in STOCK!  Basalite ***Stonewall II, Compact and Grand FirePits are currently featured.  You can also create your own design with use of our Natural Stone selection.
What ever your fire flavor – lover, starter or cooker, my masters have the items for you!  Happy digging….and Qing!

New Product

BBQing Season

Now you know I love the smell of meat!  My masters now have a full line of BBQ charcoal, lump charcoal, and wood chunks.  Why not add your flavoring while it is Qing?  Just a few reasons why..

The original lump charcoal, 100% natural, the gourmet choice.
* Briquette Charcoal 20 lb.
* Oak Wood Lump Charcoal 20 lb.
* Mesquite Lump Charcoal 20 lb. or 40 lb.
* Apple , Cherry, Hickory or Mesquite Wood Chunks 50 lb.

Unbelievable Flavor
Lazzari Mesquite Charcoal infuses a  delicious flavor to grilled foods. Master chefs (and you) world-wide use mesquite charcoal because of its pure, natural wood smoke and high cooking temperature, which sears the outside of the food, retaining natural juices, aroma and succulence.  Yummy too!

Hotter and Lasts
Mesquite lump charcoal burns hotter than briquettes or gas fired grills (yes it is true). Gourmet chefs prefer mesquite for a cooking technique where certain foods, like fish and red meats, are cooked hot and fast. With intense heat, it seals in the juices as it it sears the food…..oh so succulent.

All Natural – 100%
Premium lump charcoal mesquite, is pure, charcoalized wood. With no coal, additives, fillers, recycled wood or chemicals, just 100% Natural Hardwood selected, packaged and weighed to ensure complete quality assurance.

We are Responsible
With ecology in mind to produce mesquite charcoal in a responsible manner, consistent with conservation of the earth’s natural resources and ecosystems, ecologically responsible harvest methods are utilized.

So keep digging and start smoking!

Clever Ideas

Stay-cation, Vacation,

Now Stay-cations are my form of relaxation…. Having my family home around the pool,  continually giving me treats and love..ahh that’s heaven.  But first my owners love to have the place looking spiffy.  Just a few easy ideas.
* Gator Liquid Stone Stabilizer- What a product!  After spreading and compacting  1.5″ or so of an aggregate base- like decomposed granite – compact the area and apply product. Then compact again.  It makes a great walkway.

* Gator Dust – This is a polymeric sand product – ideal between natural stone to create a solid surface.  This product will set up solid -with beige or gray to choose from, you can’t go wrong!

* Gator Super Sand – With all the rain we had this winter, did your pavers begin to seperate and moss begin to grow?  Although it looks great, moss between pavers is not great :(.  It causes the paver to become unstable.  This product is swept into the paver joints with a hard-bristle brush. And sets up and helps with the weeds between the joints.
Whether you utilize our Gator Products, add Mexican Pebble to give you that tropical feeling, or just touch it up with bark (my favorite word).  Make your summer stay-cation memories today!  Happy Digging!

Uncategorized

A tisket, a tasket, we need a basket

So you say you need a rock wall?  Maybe to define an area, or hold back a small amount of soil?  Short walls are also great for perching on to see my kingdom and keep watch over my owners. Just a few facts.
Moss Rock – This is the most common walls that you see in our area.  We have moss rocks in various sizes.  From minis (8″-12″), headsize, double headsize to large boulders.  Think winery and rolling hills.  Moss rock is also the most affordable option and most available product.  Moss rock is a courtesy of volcanic activity….
Granite- Now granite rock is a salt and pepper color.  With baskets (approximately headsize to double headsize in each); combine with our larger granite boulders, this makes a beautiful wall.  Think Tahoe shore line walls.   Granite rock is a dense rock and weighs more be cubic inch than moss rock.
General rules-Granite baskets weight averages about 3500 lbs and covers approximately 40 sqft (25 sqft per ton).  Moss rock baskets weight averages about 3100 lbs and covers approximately 40 sqft (25 sqft. per ton).
If you build a large wall or a small wall all accents look amazing!  And as always Happy Digging!

Uncategorized

Get your Grow On!

Yes…..the rains have stopped- who thought we would be saying that???  After the wettest year on record, our ground is moist and cravings nutrients.  So if your need some advice on soil, I’m your dog. Because he whom digs in it, knows it.

*Screened Topsoil – This is a screened soil (meaning rocks have been removed) excellent for mounding or filling holes prior to topdressing.
*Planters Mix – Also known as 50-50 mix.  A combination of screened topsoil and rich compost.  This is the most common choice for landscape plants and general planting.
*Growers Blend – Now this is my favorite.  It is OMRI certified dairy manure blended soil.  Now if you want a happy tummy filled with yummy veggies; this is the product.  And yes, it does have the rich smell that makes me want to roll in it!

So as you plant your garden, don’t forget to amend your soil.  And as always, Happy Digging!