Southern California’s warm climate and low rainfall make choosing the right grass essential for maintaining…
We hope you are all staying safe and healthy during this challenging time. Since construction is considered essential in our state, we are definitely still working. However, since some things have changed, we wanted to take a moment to let our clients know that we’re taking measures to keep you and our workers safe. More…
At first glance, the sight of a salad adorned with fresh flowers might appear attractive to you, yet unusual. You might wonder if anyone actually eats flowers… And the answer is yes! Not only are many types of flower edible; they can add a distinct and delicious touch to many dishes! It’s important to remember…
As spring arrives, you probably want to inspect your plants and begin making plans for your warm weather garden. If you notice something going wrong with your camellias at this time, it’s likely to be a fungal disease called camellia dieback. The fungus G. cingulata infects camellias via pruning wounds, grafts, or leaf scars. After…
The dinosaurs might have died out millions of years ago, but many of the plants alive during that time still survive today! Some are the sole surviving species of their genus or family, and remain virtually unchanged from prehistoric times. Current conservation efforts aim to preserve these species for many years to come. Moss. Believe…
Easter is soon to arrive, and spring will be in full swing along with it! You probably want to enjoy a little outdoor time with your family on this day, even if larger gatherings are cancelled at this time. The following ideas can get your yard looking its best in time for Easter weekend. Refresh…
If you’ve ever visited botanical gardens, or even Disneyland, you might have marveled at the beauty of topiaries. They do add a whimsical, striking effect to your landscape, and learning to make them yourself can be fun (plus help you save money). Basically, there are two ways to make topiaries: You can construct them from…
We often hear that the French live healthier lifestyles overall, so you might be interested in how exactly their diets and habits are different from our own. We know that the French incorporate more fresh fruits and vegetables into their diets, and in fact, 23 percent of the produce consumed by the average French person…
What if we told you a single project can add beauty to your landscape plus increase safety around your home? Low voltage lighting, when designed and installed thoughtfully, can accomplish both of these goals much more easily than you might believe. First, let’s review some of the basic types of lighting available. In most cases…
We call them houseplants, but of course you can use interior plants in an office, too! In fact, there are many solid reasons that you should liven up your office with some plant life, including… Aesthetic appeal Cleaner air Reduced noise levels Stress reduction Increased productivity Boosted creativity Fewer employee sick days Yes, these claims…
Bullet journals are all the rage right now, for both the organized and the organizationally challenged. And it just so happens that bullet journals and gardening go together like peanut butter and jelly! If the idea appeals to you, read on to discover how a bullet journal can help you organize your gardening tasks. What…
Common in many other countries, multigenerational living is just starting to catch on in the United States. Due to the cost of real estate, student loan debt, and considerations such as nursing care for the elderly, we see more and more parents moving in with their children, adult children returning home after college, and so…
No matter how much we love our houseplants, we love our kids and pets even more. To keep tiny humans, cats, dogs, and other creatures safe, it is important to learn about plant toxicity. Many common houseplants seem perfectly innocuous, but can actually pose a danger to your little two-legged or four-legged explorers. Avoid toxic…
For some of us, the backyard is a place to showcase our skills honed over many years of gardening. For others, it’s a place of recreation and relaxation. We say: Why not both? For those who recall the magic and wonder of their childhoods, we know that a backyard can provide hours of enjoyment and…
Get the Look, Part Four: Napa & NorCal With spring just around the corner, you will appreciate this fourth blog in our “Get the Look” series. The Napa Valley/Northern California style is all about outdoor living. Grab a few of these ideas for your own yard, and extend your living space to the great outdoors….
Get the Look, Part Three: Modern Farmhouse The Modern Farmhouse aesthetic is all the rage these days, so we’ve selected it for the third post in our “Get the Look” blog series. We can provide some jumping-off points for your landscape design, but keep in mind that the farmhouse style is heavy on repurposed items….