nathansmithdesign

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts

May 1, 2018

Drought Tolerant Landscaping, Garden Philosphy, Garden Style/Design, Landscape Tips

At Groundswell Landsacping we provide the complete range of services from initial design through construction to continuing landscape maintenance and development. Our collective experience in each project phase informs subsequent phases and future projects. We are a plant savvy company, and believe in the value and beauty that plants bring to projects. Young gardens can be vibrant and colorful, attracting birds and butterflies, providing seasons of astonishment and surprise as plants burst into color and flower. Planted landscapes are not…

End of the drought?

April 20, 2017

nathansmithdesign

Be Water Wise, Drought Tolerant Landscaping, Landscape Tips, Uncategorized

I’ve had several folks ask me how business has been affected by the “end of the drought” brought about by this past rainy season. While the landscapes we’ve developed benefitted greatly from true rainfall and new gardens are looking better than ever our approach hasn’t changed a bit. I don’t think sensible, sensitively designed, regionally appropriate, drought tolerant landscaping will go out of style, washed off in one winter’s rain. The rain hasn’t changed our approach except perhaps to inspire us…

Front yard living transformation.

January 26, 2017

nathansmithdesign

Be Water Wise, Drought Tolerant Landscaping, Front Yard Landscapes, Garden Style/Design, Projects

We transformed this Carlsbad front yard from the traditional developer front lawn to a drought tolerant dynamic and inviting front yard living area. Creating an enclosed front patio allowed the owner to leave the front door open and have her dogs out front without having to worry about them running off. Check out the photos below.

Show Stoppers & Focal Points

May 27, 2016

nathansmithdesign

Drought Tolerant Landscaping, Front Yard Landscapes, Garden Style/Design, Landscape Tips, Projects

Landscape scenes read better and have more impact if there is a focal point, a singular place where the eye goes to. Sometimes focal plants can make a statement with a big exclamation point as in the case of this pictured Nolina nelsoni. The plant has been in this particular Solana Beach garden for a good six years now and is fulfilling (exceeding!) the role that I had envisioned for it in this landscape at its inception. As it is with so many…

Focus on front yard drought tolerant landscaping

May 18, 2016

nathansmithdesign

Be Water Wise, Drought Tolerant Landscaping, Front Yard Landscapes, Garden Philosphy, Garden Style/Design, Landscape Tips, Projects, Uncategorized

Re-doing your front yard with drought tolerant landscaping yields more value than you might imagine. A well executed front yard landscape can have positive effects on your home value, your neighborhood, the broader environment, your social interactions and your quality of life. A new front landscape can significantly improve the curb appeal of your home. Very often the outside of the house sells the inside. Make a good first impression of your home by making the approach to the front…

Water Conservation Tools: Grading & Soil Preparation

February 29, 2016

nathansmithdesign

Be Water Wise

This winter’s El Niño rainfall hasn’t exactly lived up to expectations thus far and our recent warm temperatures are a reminder that the dry season is coming. Making the best use of our water resources is definitely on our mind whenever we take on a new landscape project. We believe the most cost effective, efficient and sensible way to capture water is through grading and soil preparation. The land on your property is a watershed resource where you can capture whatever rain…

February Plant Pick: Ceanothus

February 6, 2016

nathansmithdesign

Plant Picks, Uncategorized

Ceanothus are easy care, pest free native garden subjects. There are more than 40 species of Ceanothus native to California from varied habitats and ranging in size from ground covers to small trees. One of our favorites is a hybrid called ‘Concha’ that grows quickly to 6-8 feet and has medium blue flowers. Many nurseries now carry native plants including. All Ceanothus appreciate full sun and well-drained soils. Most are drought tolerant once established but they do need regular watering to…

Planting Season!

November 5, 2015

nathansmithdesign

Landscape Tips

Right now is a great time to plant. We have been busy preparing soils for new plantings and following up with replacement plants in established landscapes. If you’re thinking about taking on a landscape project, now is a great time to consider it, get your landscaping in the ground and let mother nature take care of the first months of watering for you. Establishing new plantings is a great deal easier during the cool season!

Fall Back

November 5, 2015

nathansmithdesign

Uncategorized

Daylight savings time has ended, clocks have been set back and the first rains have fallen. Now is a good time fall back on your watering schedule too! Days are shorter and cooler reducing evaporative pressure on your landscape. With any luck we’ll have some good rains and the irrigation can be shut off altogether. Irrigation scheduling is often an iterative process as water needs can be affected by landscape maturity, exposure, soil type, plant type, slope, and density of planting. There…

Irrigate efficiently for water savings in landscape

September 12, 2015

nathansmithdesign

Be Water Wise, Drought Tolerant Landscaping, Landscape Tips, Uncategorized

Irrigate efficiently for water saving in the landscape. Keep in mind the following statements as we work to make efficient use of our limited water resources. 1. It’s better to water your landscape deeply and infrequently, as opposed to frequently and shallowly. 2. Runoff and waste are undesirable (obviously!). It would seem that these two principles are at odds with one another, but if you have a reasonably current irrigation controller the solution is straightforward. Generally speaking sprinklers put out water…

Water Conservation Tools: Mulch

June 23, 2015

nathansmithdesign

Landscape Tips

A thick layer of organic mulch works as a water conservation tool in a few different ways. The organic layer acts like an insulating blanket moderating soil temperatures and reducing evaporation from the soil surface. Naked soil exposed to the sun will heat up tremendously, whereas the soil under the mulch will remain much cooler, preserving the water that is in the soil so that it is available to your plants. On the other side of the equation a layer of mulch can…

Removing your turf to install drought tolerant landscaping

June 11, 2015

nathansmithdesign

Be Water Wise, Drought Tolerant Landscaping, Landscape Tips, Projects

A bit over two years ago we were called in to help a client, who was interested in drought tolerant landscaping, and was struggling with a poorly performing lawn. We had a clear solution for them, and advised to… “remove your turf”! Now instead of a thirsty and marginal grass area these folks enjoy an extended outdoor living space with lush drought tolerant plantings and a useful flagstone patio. We were called back to check in. The garden had filled in beautifully and…