nathansmithdesign

Terrain Is Hiring

May 22, 2015

We are looking for landscape laborers. Candidates who demonstrate competence will have opportunities to advance. Please see below for a job description. For further information please contact nathan@terrainlandscape. net. Landscape Laborer I- Installation and Maintenance SUMMARY: Under close supervision, performs a variety of unskilled tasks in the installation, and maintenance of landscaping projects; and performs related duties as assigned. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Labor assistant for installing, maintaining and cultivating landscaping DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Performs general landscape tasks as directed by crew…

Turf Removal Rebates

March 12, 2015

nathansmithdesign

Be Water Wise, Landscape Tips

Do you want to make sustainable landscape improvements while reducing your out of pocket expenses? The county water authority and the metropolitan water district have great rebate programs that encourage you to do just that! Front yard landscapes are especially good candidates for turf replacement. In the last six months four of our clients have been approved for rebates ranging from $700 to $2,000. The funds for these programs are exhausted rapidly, but periodically replenished so it’s worth monitoring their websites to…

Terrain talks drought tolerant landscape design

February 6, 2015

nathansmithdesign

Garden Philosphy, Garden Style/Design, Landscape Tips

Questions of sustainability swirl in our heads daily as we go about the business of improving residential landscapes during the drought. At Terrain we’re constantly reevaluating our approach and refining our techniques with an eye toward superior results. Lance and I sat down to chat about some of the things that have popped up in recent weeks and I’ve transcribed our conversation below. Lance: Hey Nate, I have more and more people asking me each day if replacing their front lawn with artificial turf is a wise…

December Plant Pick- Toyon

January 21, 2015

nathansmithdesign

Uncategorized

Really Toyon should be featured earlier in the year, but with the weather being what it has been I’ve been noticing beautiful Toyon in full fruit in the last few weeks. Toyon Heteromeles arbutifolia is widespread in California in general and San Diego in particular. It’s a forgiving and useful landscape shrub with evergreen leathery leaves. It makes a good screening shrub, and can be pruned up to function like a small shade tree. Perfect for patios. Toyon is relatively fast growing…

January Plant Pick: Aloes

January 13, 2015

nathansmithdesign

Garden Style/Design, Landscape Tips, Plant Picks

Aloes…Succulent, structural, striking, sexy! Many species are at their peak this time of year and can be outstanding additions to any garden! Attached is a recent photo from Terrain partner Nathan Smith’s garden. Looking fab! [fb_button]

Keep the rain coming!

December 18, 2014

nathansmithdesign

Be Water Wise, Landscape Tips

We at Terrain sure are glad to see the recent rains. Natural rainfall has an effect on landscapes that irrigation cannot reproduce. We’ve had enough rain in the last few weeks to actually penetrate and moisten the soil thoroughly. Consider shutting of your irrigation for a while if you have an established landscape and let Mother Nature take over the task. Cheers!

Modern Del Mar Landscape

December 18, 2014

nathansmithdesign

Projects

In early June we completed planting a new garden in Del Mar. Even in the last four months the landscape has really started to fill in. These photos were taken in late October. Enjoy.

Fall Back

October 30, 2014

nathansmithdesign

Landscape Tips

Daylight savings time ends this weekend. It’s a good time to have a look at your irrigation controller and consider falling back on that too! The days are getting shorter and cooler and your garden needs less water. Consider removing a watering day or allowing a longer period between watering events. For established, moderately drought tolerant gardens that are mulched and drip irrigated we recommend irrigating once a week or less this time of year. Some gardens could go with…

La Jolla Cottage Native Landscape Complete

October 30, 2014

nathansmithdesign

Projects

We are just wrapping up planting on the landscape I posted pictures of a month ago. We planted a generous spread of native dune sedge which will spreads by rhizomes to form a fairly drought tolerant lawn substitute. A redwood pergola houses a bronze bas-relief sculpture. Mature toyon and lemonade berry screen the backyard from the adjacent open space. We created a new walkway to the front door marked by a redwood arbor. A permeable gravel driveway replaced a degraded combination…

Native Landscape for Historic La Jolla Cottage

September 24, 2014

nathansmithdesign

Projects

Rocks are in and plants are arriving! Lots of natives, Ceanothus, Toyon, Salvias mixed with select exotics to fulfill the program. The landscape will feature a native sedge lawn area that serves the some of the functions of a traditional lawn while using less water and requiring less mowing. In addition to all the great planting we’ve already built new perimeter fencing and getting ready to install a new permeable driveway, two concrete patios, a simple arbor and pergola on…

Laguna Beach Modern Retreat

September 2, 2014

nathansmithdesign

Projects

In early August we completed a new modern/asian inspired garden. Photos of newly planted gardens are seldom flattering but I’m pleased with the way this one looks even though it’s less than a month old. The patio and garden were designed to look compelling from above, enticing guests down into the shaded and secluded garden. The cool and private garden provide a marked contrast from the exposure and expansive views above. The owners enjoy entertaining on the decks of…

Steel, Plants and Wood

May 24, 2014

nathansmithdesign

Garden Style/Design

Rusted steel planters look nice. We recently did these planters for a small project down in Hilcrest. Love the red flowered Russellia spilling over the edge. The Phormium cultivar ‘Black Licorice’ exceptional black foliage which reads nicely too! Here’s another view of this project in the late afternoon light. Freshly planted. It will grow in nicely!