Tag Archives: #plan #landscape

Spring is Around The Corner!

With all the storms and rain we have had hit this winter its hard to not be hopeful for spring to show up! I know in California we can all appreciate that we had a pretty mild “Fire season” and that we always need the rain, but its okay to want sunshine too! Our paws getting muddy just walking out the front door is only fun for so long, right?

Get yourself ready for some spring planting, replanting, and total yard makeovers! There are designers ready to help you out to plan your revamp too if you hit a loss of what would work or even simply just look pawtastic. Cindy at Blooming Gardens or Margaret, with A Wylder Design is mighty handy with turning a boring backyard into a picturesque space to make all your neighbors envious! Whether you want a balance between hardscape and keeping it natural, they will bring your imagination to life! Nothing makes new landscape happy than good soil, like the Planter’s Mix. This soil is your all around and go to planting mix. Whether you are putting down seed for your lawn, a full replace of sod, fresh plants/trees/flowers, this soil won’t disappoint! It is a sandy loam, which will be perfect to get my paws in and help you dig out any old plants or soil you want to remove.

Remember to make a big woofing note about your soils too! Plants will utilize the nutrients within whatever soil you plant them in, which in turn means they can take a nice rich soil into something that has a hard time letting plants thrive in. Adding Organic Compost to your existing soil will act as an amendment to what I have already buried bones in, to a thriving soil once again! Nothing will bark “healthy plants!” like good, fresh, nutritional soil.

Are you wanting to build a pathway around your new thriving garden or yard? Take your paws no further than Decomposed Granite (DG)! Not only does the tan/gold color mix well with greenery or even hardscapes, but it will compact and almost harden under all of our paws with a little water and time! Don’t bark up the wrong tree and think its like cement or concrete though! It will chip and crumble like any compacted ground would if you dig into it. All that woofing about it though is not for nothing! A level walking path or even open space for a little sitting area in your yard would be the perfect accent with DG. Easy to maintain, and I won’t be able to get my teeth into it like I might try with a bark path. You can even take this bone one step further and place flagstone on top to make a stone pathway or even just stepping stone style.

Boulders might just be the new chew toy to talk about! They make great accents around your garden or even your pathway. Want to be even more of a bone-a-fied trend setter? Try and find one that has a flat enough surface to place a pot on top! I’ve gotten my paws on some pots that have a center drain hole on the bottom as well as smaller ones around that, and that center hole can be utilized with a bolt and a washer to secure that pot to a post/boulder or stand too! No worrying about those wild winds like we have had so far this February.

Get a Jump on FUN!

We all can appreciate a little rain here in California, but we definitely love having our sunshine to put our paws up in too! This type of weather is the pawfict time to dig up all my bones in the backyard to do a handful of projects! From getting the old soil refreshed with some more nutrients, getting ready for some fresh bark, laying down a paver or concrete pad/patio, or even adding an outdoor living kit.

There are so many ways to get our backyard to become the prime hangout spot for all of our friends, both human and dog! The most common backyard designs listed for this year are outdoor living and “gothic”. This really means, people and pets want to have an enjoyable backyard that is both great to dig in and look at but also comfortable! Too many family members with dogs for your small house? Set up the backyard as an extension, if not a standalone, to your dining/living rooms! Basalite offers many different options to build kits to set up your area to be the perfect host! Whether you want a standalone fireplace to add to your yard, or if you want a whole kitchen set up, they have options for every kind of backyard. One of their pieces will definitely give your friends and family something to bark about!

The gothic style of landscaping really means a lot of dark plants, flowers, and accents! Think of those old Victorian movies who have blood red flowers out front and dark leaved plants accented with thick shrubbery. This kind of landscaping gives me plenty of bone hiding places as well as gives a ethereal look to your property! There are plenty of tall flowering bushes too that can be used as privacy walls if you’ve got those no good nosey neighbors keeping tabs on all my dig spots too! Adding an archway wrapped in vines is a great statement piece, or even some casual lighting to help me keep my paws on the right tack at night! You definitely want to let me help you dig some holes in our existing soil and for sure let me get my paws on mixing in some new soil to make the job go by faster! Nothing says “good dog!” like putting in some hours digging up soil!

Whatever you chose to do with your backyard, make sure you check plants out for being pet safe so I don’t have to pick a bone with you later! Adding statement pieces, whether that’s with planets or fixtures, will always help to make the yard a much more pleasant place to spend your time and disconnect a bit. All of us dogs know how hard it is for you humans to unplug sometimes, but take 5 minutes enjoying the sunlight and plants to recoup from all the screen time. I know I will definitely be enjoying my time more if I got to bark around with you in the yard more often!

Cheers to the New Year!

Who can believe we are already onto a new year?! I can’t wait to get my paws on some new projects in the yard. Digging up old plants, burying bones, and having a barking good time sound like great New Years plans to me! Whether we are just improving on what’s there, or starting a whole new project, there’s a huge selection to choose from! Is our BARK looking a little ruff for wear? Are the plants ready for some new nutrients? What about a nice flagstone pad with a firepit for these paw chilling nights? The options are endless!

Quartzite Silver and Gold adds a great sparkle to the yard while remaining subtle enough for any level of landscaping! Sizes range so much, you are bound to find pieces that will make any size area look pawrific! Wanting to get your paws on something a little more muted? Arizona Buckskin and Rosa are great for that desert or creamy look! With the Arizona’s being sandstone they have a unique richness you can match to any style of yard, plus it’s super easy on my paws just like the Quartzites!

Want to give your neighbors something to really BARK about? Oregon Eagle Patio and boulder pieces make a great pond or waterfall stone! Build them and stack them in all sorts of shapes or designs for a natural look that will make you feel like you’ve found it in the forest. Adding a mix of our Cobble Stone or Drain Rock at the ponds bottom to keep the natural look going for a realistic riverbed. Loose round rock at the bottom means I am less likely to bring any muddy paws back through the house after I inspect your work. Adding in some standard Moss Rock could give you great accent points in your tail waggin’ design too!

All muddy paws aside, we should definitely take the time to enjoy our yards no matter how put together they are or not! Just getting outside to hang out with our paws up or even to run around for some tail wagging and barktacular fun is a great way to spend any time of day! The New Year means new adventures, but don’t forget! We have all year to get our paws dirty!

Oh, The Puddles!

Along with the holiday season being right at our doorstep, so is the rain! Like any good dog, we love to splash and play just as much as the next pup! Though, sometimes we want to make sure our yards stay as dry as they can too.

If you have a gravel driveway Road Base is a great choice to lay down. Road base will compact and get almost too hard for my paws to get through, BUT you won’t be walking in puddles either! It also won’t shift too much, if at all, under my weight or even your car! You will want me to help dig out any water that’s there already though, standing water and the Road Base don’t work very well together, but it doesn’t need to be totally dry either! If you’ve got some DEEP holes of mine to fill, or a culvert to repair the 4″ Cool Cave is a great base layer and erosion control for those kind of areas. Did you know a lot of the Park systems use it on their trails? I get my paws on some every time I go to the Sterling Point Trail around Folsom Lake on high erosion zones! They might be a little too big for a normal dog like me to get their mouth around, but that’s why it works so well. The Cool Cave can also be topped off with Road Base or even the Crushed Fines to fill in the gaps to make it more solid of a surface too. Then you won’t have to worry about my paws getting in the cracks or any little humans tripping either!

Did you know we have a bark-taskular Cool Cave Base? It’s just similar Road Base but its BLUE! It’s also the same type of rock as the 4″ Cool Cave, so if we want to get our paws matching colors we can! On some of my walks in the neighborhoods I see people using it for functional use but also for decorative purposes! It looks absolutely tail wagging as a color accent in your yards.

Hillsides are so much fun for me to stretch my paws running on, but did you know that BARK can help prevent or lessen the likelihood of any of my play space from washing away? Redwood Ground cover (or commonly referred to as Gorilla Hair) is great for steeper hillsides since it mats together just like my hair might after playing! It is a great accent to add to your yard with a vibrant red/brown color that just BARKS against any plant life I haven’t dug up yet. If you’re looking for one that’s easier to walk on, the Walk-on Bark is a great choice too! Both of these are easy on the paws and easy on your yard.

You know those old towels you use to dry me off? Or the bed sheets I have left too many pawprints on to wash off? They make great frost covers for your more sensitive plants with going into the cold season! Just a little extra protection for your sensitive plants will go a long way to getting them through our furry weather! I have my coat and you have your gloves, but do your plants have their blankets?

Summer Fun

Summer has always been my favorite.  My kid friends are out of school and my days consist of swimming, eating and sleeping.  Now as far as the garden goes, there is always work to be done.

Plan & Plant – We are always planning.  but now is the time to plan your spring bulbs.  And at the same time plant your summer color (marigolds and zinnias are some of my favs).  Our Planters Mix is the best choice for your summer color.  To add art to your yard, with a stock tank container (I love the round one).  It is easy to move and place in your design.

Maintain – Mulch/Bark your area around your garden ( I prefer walk-on bark for my paws).  This will keep moisture in, roots cool and dust down.  Plus it will look amazing.  We have many varieties and colors to choose from.
Be sure to check your watering schedule as our temperature creeps up. And don’t forget your hand watering containers.
Pinch off your herbs so they will keep producing.  Check your feeding schedule for your strawberries.  We all love shortcake!

Harvest – It is about that time.  Morning is the best time to pick that yummy food.  Keep your eye out for rodents and the pesky snakes, they may like the morning too.  Clean up any fallen fruit to avoid the rodent and squirrel issue.  Make up a feast with your tomatoes, peppers and basil – my mouth is drooling already.
And as always – Happy Digging!

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!

 

I know I should be planning….

January is here, all my masters Christmas presents have been unwrapped.  And my master has been frantically cleaning.  But why?  They said January is a planning month.  So why not start time-lining your 2018 projects?  For us dogs it’s all about treats.  But for you humans it’s about your humble abode…
What to do in January:
* Gather Ideas -Use Pintrest, your neighbor, home shows, etc.  Make sure your ideas are products that are available.  For example, don’t pin a rock found in New Zealand that you want to put in Northern California – think freight costs.
* Gather Numbers – Measure, measure, measure.  Know the square footage you are working with.  Draw your project up with measurements. Allow for lighting, plants, hardscapes, plants, accent rocks, walkways, pathways & entertaining areas.
* Gather Samples – visit your local supply (online or in person) store  (Valley Rock) and take some samples and or pictures. Grab a brochure or two, determine your color scheme, decide on your style (beach, craftsman, fixer-upper), make a budget.
* Make Decisions – Once you have an idea what you want, decide on what you will do; and what you want a professional to handle.  Schedule appointments with Landscape Contractors once you know what you want.  Don’t go in blind, you will waste your time and theirs.
I always plan where I am burying my bone before I dig that hole.  And I know you humans do the same!  Happy Digging!