Groundswell Landscaping

February Plant Pick: Ceanothus

February 6, 2016

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…

Terrain Is Hiring

May 22, 2015

nathansmithdesign

Uncategorized

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!

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