LIQUIDAMBAR Garden Design

SALVAGE SOURCES

2011-07-09T15:49:00.001-07:00

Recycle - Reuse - Repurpose: words we’re all familiar with these days. Repurpose is to find a useful purpose for something you were going to discard. Better still is to Upcycle – the practice of using something disposable as an object with greater use or value. Typical example is the use of containers as homes, offices, or shelters for the homeless. See examples here:

http://upcycleliving.com/; http://upcycle-products.com/;

For San Francisco Bay Area residents, here are some local sources to help you reduce waste, divert tons of materials from landfills and pick up some practical or whimsical items.

The ReUse People - www.thereusepeople.org

2100 Ferry Point, No. 150, Alameda; 510.522.0767

This nonprofit does whole house deconstruction and maintains an extensive warehouse of used building supplies.

Building Resources - www.buildingresources.org

701 Amador St, San Francisco; 415.285.7814

Part old-fashion junk yard, part art installation, Building REsources has lots of funky materials at great prices if you search among the rubble. Also sells tumbled recycled glass in all colors.

Scrap - www.scrap-sf.org

801 Toland St, San Francisco; 415.647.1746;

A non-profit, Scrap breathes new life into old objects by reusing materials such as textiles, buttons, paper, craft and office supplies, plastics and wood collected from businesses, institutions and individuals. Teachers, parents, artists and organizations depend on SCRAP as the place to find all manner of materials for projects and classrooms.

Ohmega Salvage - www.ohmegasalvage.com;

2407 & 2400 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley; 510.204.0767

Restoration materials and furniture from older, mostly pre-1950s buildings.

Urban Ore - www.shopinberkeley.com/urbanore

900 Murray St, Berkeley; 510.841.7283;

Everything and lots of it. Also a showcase for sustainable building materials and design features.

Whole House Building Supply - www.driftwoodsalvage.com

1955 Pulgas Rd, East Palo Alto; 650.328.8731;

Wood, doors, windows, also some tubs, cabinets, mantels, sinks and appliances.

Caldwell’s Building Salvage - www.caldwell-bldg-salvage.com

195 Bayshore Blvd, San Francisco; 415.550.6777

Mostly lumber, windows, doors – with a great affordable door shop to build frames for old doors. Also windows, hardwood, the occasional claw-foot tub – plus a showroom with new flooring, bathrooms, etc.

Water Water

2011-03-25T14:44:00.000-07:00

Conserve Water is the 4th of 7 Bay Friendly practices. Even with the wonderful winter rains, water is and will always be a scarce and valuable resource in California. Of all urban water use, landscapes consume 1/3 and most residential properties are over-watered by 30-40%. By 2020, the state will require all residents to reduce water consumption by 20%.

Water-wise landscaping includes more than water recycling and conservation. We also need to improve the water retention capacity of the soil, in addition to installing the latest irrigation technology.

To begin, follow procedures below for nurturing the soil - the 3rd Bay Friendly principle. Then continue to build on these principles to create a thriving, living soil with enough organic content to hold water and increase permeability.

Soil: first, know your soil texture – clay, silt, sandy.
o Incorporate 2-4” compost into top 6-12” of soil to reach a soil organic matter of 3.5% under turf and 5% in planting beds.
o In spring and fall, top-dress with compost around shrubs and trees and on turf/lawn;
o Regularly apply mulch as needed to all exposed surfaces to reduce evaporation.

Plants: install drought-tolerant California natives, Mediterranean plants and succulents:
o Not all native plants are drought-tolerant so be wary and match plant requirements with your soil type and microclimate;
o Select plants from Mediterranean climates; these are Chile, South Africa, Australia & New Zealand and of course Mediterranean countries that share our long dry summer seasons;
o Minimize high water use plants.
o Plant in fall to take advantage of winter rains that help roots become established;
o When planting, remember to leave enough space to allow plants to grow to their natural size… and adjust the irrigation as plants mature.

Minimize the Lawn:
During the long dry summer season, lawns require frequent watering, cutting with machinery, pesticides to remove weeds, etc. So where lawn is desirable for kids or pets, minimize its size and/or plant low ground-covers…
o Replace lawns with water conserving native groundcovers or perennial ornamental grasses;
o Avoid turf in areas less than 8 ft. wide to accommodate efficient irrigation;
o Avoid planting turf on slopes greater than 10% or in irregular shapes.

Hydrozone your Plants - Group Plants by Water Needs:
Basically this means grouping plants by their low, medium or high water requirements and sun/shade needs;
o Locate thirsty plants in smaller, more visible areas and where possible, in spots that naturally collect water;
o Plant drought tolerant species in larger planting beds;
o Discontinue irrigation for California natives once they’re established, and be sure to continue irrigating those that need ongoing water;
o Use separate irrigation valves and circuits for each hydrozone; lawn should have its own valve.

Harvest Rainwater, Recycle Water & Graywater:
Harvesting: redirect rainwater from your downspouts and gutters into a storage barrel to use for irrigation.
Recycling: refers to water treated at a regional facility that can be used for irrigation – but not for consumption.
Graywater (not suitable for drinking): wastewater from sinks, showers, bathtubs and washing machines can be reused for subsurface irrigation of roots of trees and shrubs (as it’s not contaminated by human waste).

The simplest way to get started is to harvest rainwater from your roof. For other means, check your local building codes.

Install High-Efficiency Irrigation System:
Irrigation systems are becoming more efficient and sophisticated. Weather-based self-adjusting controllers now have soil moisture and rain sensor shutoffs. For all your irrigation needs and materials, an excellent resource is

http://www.urbanfarmerstore.com/. If you plan to install the system yourself, bring them your planting plan and they can design it for you. Otherwise, to optimize water conservation, best to have a professional to it.

Once your system is up and running, be sure to maintain it properly; have a landscape professional check it once a year for leaks, broken tubes, blocked sprinkler heads, etc. For mature systems, check whether your local water district or utility company will provide a free irrigation audit.

How to Prepare for Spring Growing Season

2011-03-04T09:33:00.000-08:00

Time to put on the gloves and get outside in the sun; or if, like me, you prefer to have someone else do the 'heavy lifting,' e-mail me for referrals to good maintenance gardeners.

BULBS: plant your summer blooming bulbs now, before the garden center runs out of the best varieties; or shop on-line to include some of the more exotic lilies… one source is www.dutchgardens.com

PERENNIALS: Add fragrance to your garden with Artemesias such as ‘Powis Castle;’ oreganos and salvias; almost all sages are scented and most are well suited to the Bay Area climate. This is a good time also to install Coreopsis, Gaillardia, Gaura, penstemons, santa Barbara daisies… these are available in economical 6-packs, 4” pots, or 1 gallon sizes for more punch.

EDIBLES: being planning for your berries, strawberries, blueberries and fruit trees. See below for composting and slug prevention.

VEGGIES: lettuce, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower can be planted now. Select some potato tubers in the more exotic varieties and flavors now available. And ensure a continuous veggie crop by successively planting beets, carrots, radishes, spinach and turnips every 2 weeks apart.

LAWN: lawns like to be richly fed so top-dress now with a good organic compost, available at most garden centers. Follow directions on the bag. Top-dressing simply means to lay compost on top of the lawn and let the organisms do the work of incorporating it into the soil. This works also for your planting beds.

IRRIGATION: turn on the water and check that all emitters are dripping water; clean or replace any clogged emitters you find. Watch for leaks and repair broken tubes. If this sounds like too much technical labor, contact Urban Farmer Store where you’ll get expert advice as well as any supplies you need: http://www.urbanfarmerstore.com/.

SLUGS, BUGS & APHIDS: lots of slugs around now due to the rain. To control slugs and snails, spread Sluggo around the perimeter of your planting areas after you’ve removed all visible intruders; as extra protection, spread around vegetable, flower and berry plots; and to minimize future invasions, spread around the perimeter of your garden.

Check new growth on plants for aphids; spray first with water, under the leaves as well, every 7-10 days or so. If aphids persist, try spraying with horticulture oil, available at garden centers.

Weather Alert... February 25 - 28

2011-02-25T16:49:00.000-08:00

A freeze warning has been issued for the San Francisco Bay Area, starting tonight through the weekend. If you have any new young tender plants, here’s how you can protect them; these include succulents, citrus, bougainvillea, and most tropical-style plants

Cover trees and plants with burlap or similar fabric or plastic
Bring tender potted plants indoors;
Insulate the plant roots with lots of mulch;

Wait until new growth begins in spring before removing dead or damaged material. Cutting frost-damaged plants too soon could stimulate new growth that could be damaged with later frosts.

Tips for the Lazy (and Smart) Gardener

2010-10-11T14:57:00.000-07:00

If you're about to prep your garden for fall, either to plant your veggies or to retard weed growth, this New York Times article shows you how. Here's a brief excerpt:

First, pluck the weeds; next, lay 4 sheets of newspaper and wet the paper; top off with compost or mulch. If you're installing plants, compost is best; to suppress weeds, lay mulch at least 2" deep.

If you’re starting a new garden the no-till way - which basically means using newspapers to smother the grass and weeds without resorting to herbicides - just add a few inches of compost and plant right through it.

The advantages of not tilling are many. Weed seeds are not brought to the surface of the soil, where they readily sprout and grow. You don’t churn up earthworms and countless other organisms that will aerate and enrich the soil just fine if you feed them compost and leave them alone. And since gas-powered tillers not only pour hydrocarbons into the air, they also release CO2 when they churn up the soil, leaving them in the garage is a good way to minimize your carbon footprint.

When weeds do grow — as they inevitably will, blowing in on the wind, or sprouting from less-than-perfect compost — the article suggests spritzing them, while they are still sprouts, with a homemade solution: a gallon of vinegar mixed with 2 tablespoons canola oil (other oils will gum up) and 1 tablespoon liquid Ivory dish detergent. Spray on a regular basis: 'You have to starve out the roots, so don’t wait and let the weeds get big.' Read article here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/09/garden/09garden.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&hpw.

WATER in the garden

2010-10-01T14:34:00.000-07:00

Gardens in the old days typically contained a water source from which gardeners could draw water to irrigate plants. Farmers also captured rainwater for this and other domestic uses. In classic Japanese gardens water often is simulated with raking techniques in patterns that suggest waves and rippling water. Other features also evoke water… dry streams of smooth river rock or tumbled glass create the impression of imminent cascading water.

Ponds or pools that reflect the sky and surrounding landscape visually expand a garden far beyond its physical boundaries. The tiniest stone basin or dish adds great mystery and dimension while also attracting birds to feed and bathe. Even the smallest gardens benefit from a water source.

Many inexpensive features are available today readymade and as long as the water is flowing, moved by low-voltage pumps, mosquitoes will not breed. When considering a water element, select a feature that will compliment the style, character and scale of your landscape … here are some examples:

pavers appear to float across the pond

babbling brook rambles through English-style country garden

beautiful Italian ceramic pot recycles gurgling water

cranes quench their thirst in Asian-style garden

framed by robust arbor, wall fountain screens imposing wall

Quan Yin soothes the senses

existing hillside provides perfect backdrop

industrial size & strength metal compliments contemporary style

water bowl nestles in Zen space

rippling water from polished granite fountain is replicated in surrounding plants

Speedy New Service

2010-09-23T15:48:00.000-07:00

Speedy Garden Make-Over... some samples included at:
http://www.liquidambar.biz/portfolio2.php;

This is suitable for small, simple spaces such as typical urban front or back gardens measuring approx. 25 x 30 feet or similar that don’t require complex or multi-level retaining elements or other major structures. Appropriate also for curb appeal upgrades, intimate spaces within large gardens, replacing thirsty lawns with drought-tolerant plants, installing water feature to buffer street noises and more. Here’s how it works:

 Your complete a questionnaire, describing your needs and how you wish to use the space

 Based on your needs we develop your design concept on site or in our studio during 1 or 2 design consultations;

 Includes layout plan drawn to scale indicating location of built elements such as patios, walls, decks, arbors, etc;

 Locates primary plants and planting beds along with list of plants and materials;

 Provides referrals to reputable landscape contractors, gardeners and suppliers

Once completed, you can then decide whether to coordinate the installation yourself or engage us to implement it for you. (The size & location of the garden determines exact hours & cost)

Of course we still provide our
Fully Developed, Documented Design Concepts … suitable for large, challenging or complex Bay Area sites that often require retaining walls, terracing, multi-level patios or decks, custom water features and more. Consequently, design development may involve more thorough site investigation and design consideration, take longer and cost more.

To discuss your garden contact katey@liquidambar.biz;

For more information, see www.liquidambar.biz/services.php;
and www.liquidambar.biz/resources.php;

Visit us on facebook..
http://www.facebook.com/pages/San-Francisco-CA/LIQUIDAMBAR-Garden-Design/104796105886

Bay Friendly Practices

2010-09-21T11:08:00.000-07:00

Nurture the Soil is the third principle and a cornerstone of Bay Friendly practices… based on the theory that feeding the soil, not the plant, encourages a thriving food-web of microorganism, worms and other beneficial creatures. Healthy, living soil teems with all kinds of bacteria, worms and other organisms that carry out these crucial actions:

Build soil structure;
Store and cycle nutrients;
Protect plants from pests;
Improve water infiltration and storage;
Filter out urban pollutants.

Before and during any construction or garden renovations, always follow these procedures:

1 - Protect the topsoil, typically the first few inches of soil, which nurtures a plants ‘feeder roots.’ Topsoil is a valuable resource that often is removed or mixed with subsoil during construction; conserving it can reduce many problems over the long run and minimize fertilizer and irrigation requirements.

2 - Protect soil from compaction: heavy equipment can compact soil down to 2 feet below the surface. Compacted soils don’t have adequate space for air or water; avoid walking on and working in soil that is too wet or too dry.

3 – Defend against erosion: during construction, prevent loss of soil by storm-water runoff or wind … stock-pile and cover topsoil for reuse. On steep slopes, create terraces; and don’t remove valuable trees or shrubs, which help to prevent erosion, and protect them with fencing.

4 – Amend soil with compost before planting: Compost improves problem soils, especially those that are compacted, heavy clay or sandy, or lead contaminated. For trees and shrubs, amend the entire planting bed or dig planting holes no deeper than the root ball and a minimum of 3 times the size of the new plant’s root ball. Rough up the sides of the hole and mix soil compost into soil, then backfill. If possible use compost made from local green and food waste.

5 – Grasscycle: if you still have lawn, leave the clippings on the lawn after mowing, except when grass is too wet or too long. Clippings can meet some of the lawn’s nitrogen needs and supply other nutrients as well.

6 – Mulch regularly: organic materials - bark chips, composted green waste, leaves, etc – supply nutrients. Maintain 2-4 inches of organic mulch over the soil surface at all times; this helps to conserve water, suppress weed growth, provide nutrients that enhance growth and make the garden look clean and fresh!
• See article below ‘ Sheet Mulching.

7 – Aerate compacted soils: one easy way is to use power augers or water jets to create holes in compacted soil around trees and shrubs and fill with compost. For turf/sod, top-dressing with compost after aerating in spring is best.

8 – Naturally feed soil: Apply compost each spring and fall either with compost tea (see links following) or by top-dressing; this means spreading compost around the base of the plant and letting it work its way into the planting bed, then replace the mulch. For information on compost tea, check www.composttea.org or www.soilfoodweb.com.

9 – Avoid synthetic, quick release fertilizers: a plant’s nutrient requirements are best met with compost, naturally derived fertilizers or slow-release fertilizer – only if your plant really needs nourishing.

10 – Avoid or at least Minimize Chemical Pesticides: some can be toxic to soil dwelling creatures such as earthworms. Minimizing pesticides reduces water pollution and helps support soil life.

Next time, we’ll focus on conserving water, a huge issue throughout California.

Bay Friendly Practices

2010-08-05T13:16:00.000-07:00

Bay Friendly landscape guidelines were written for landscape professionals to provide an integrated, common-sense approach to sustainable practices. If you’re a handy DIY person who enjoys working in your garden, these guidelines will help you get started. They’re organized around 7 principles, the first of which I outlined below – landscape locally.

The second principle of Bay Friendly sustainable landscaping practices is: Landscape for Less in the Landfill. This means reducing waste or more correctly, not producing waste in the first place.

Start with the plants: select the right plant for the right place, irrigate properly without overwatering, fertilize appropriately, and you will significantly reduce your green waste.

To help guide your research, two excellent plant references are:
Plants and Landscapes for Summer-Dry Climates published by East Bay Municipal Utility District-EBMUD; and Sunset’s Western Garden Book

• Choose plants that thrive in your microclimate and soil conditions; see Sunset’s West Coast Climate Zones used in both above noted references

• Space plants so they grow to the natural size without regular pruning and trimming; these silvery Junipers will keep their narrow upright girth and create a dynamic screen or wind-break as well

• Replace hedges that need shearing with informal shrubs that don’t; this Ligustrum (privet) hedge below could look more natural and attractive if left un-sheared; rosemary shrubs (bottom) also make a lovely fragrant hedge

• Avoid invasive plants; these are listed at www.cal-ipc.org

• Grass-cycle: this means leaving lawn clippings on the ground after mowing to decompose and release nutrients

• Use plant debris for mulch: clipped, chipped, then spread over the soil

• Compost plant debris: allow your green waste to decompose and use it as soil amendment

• Prune selectively only to enhance the plant’s natural shape; you can avoid most pruning by giving plants the space they need to grow to their optimum size

• Water appropriately with drip irrigation… more on this later; over-watering can kill more plants than drought!

• Rent goats to control weeds and create firebreaks, especially on larger spaces

• Reuse, re-purpose, recycle; see previous article on this blog for list of local salvage yards

• Reduce and recycle waste; an example is to use excavated soil to create raised planting berms or mounds instead of sending it to the dump; return plant pots to the nursery, donate them to your local city college horticulture program, or in San Francisco, recycle them

• Separate plant debris for clean green – read why this is necessary in article on green waste

The San Francisco Bay Area has more than 30 microclimates. Selecting plants that are compatible with the exposure, temperature, moisture and soil in your garden and your microclimate produces healthier, more robust plants. Not only will you lower your maintenance, you also will minimize the waste that over-burdens landfill.

Next installment… Nuture the Soil!

Bay Friendly Practices

2010-07-10T16:34:00.000-07:00

Bay Friendly landscape guidelines were written for landscape professionals to provide an integrated, common-sense approach to sustainability. If you’re a handy DIY person, these guidelines will help you get started. They’re organized around 7 principles, the first of which I’ll briefly outline here.

Watch this space for future installments and the second principle: Landscape for Less to the Landfill.

First principle – landscape locally: Respect the natural attributes of the region in which you are landscaping. This doesn’t mean we have to return to the wild, uncontrolled landscape that once prevailed; instead we can contribute to the health, diversity and sustainability of the existing ecosystem.

How can we apply this? When planning your landscape, first, analyze the site carefully and on the site map, identify these areas:

• Sunny, shady and part shady areas
• Hot spots along south facing walls and fences
• Wet or dry spots
• Windy or exposed areas and direction of prevailing winds
• Slopes
• Frost pockets
• Shape and size of planting areas
• Zones with difficult access
• Water flow

This information determines everything you need to apply all other principles, especially when selecting plants that are drought tolerant, low water and climate appropriate.

Left: one of many Ceanothus varieties-the California wild lilac; right is Lupinus (lupine) hybrid.

2. Assess the soil and drainage:
Is the soil sandy, loamy or heavy clay. This determines which and how much amendment to add, the correct plants to select to thrive in that soil, and whether we need to address drainage or compaction problems. In some instances a soil analysis may be necessary, depending on the extent of problem and the planned construction.

3. Survey and protect flora and fauna:
• Identify and protect existing plants, especially California natives, endangered species and wetlands
• Learn what wildlife inhabits the site and plant to shelter and sustain them and to restore the site
• Know your local tree ordinances and endangered species; many local or regional ordinances prevent the removal of certain trees such as native oaks
• Plan to preserve existing trees; engage a certified arborist to create your plan
• Avoid invasive species, see below

4. Consider the fire potential of plants and plant debris:
In fire-prone areas, most fire departments have guidelines to help you plan for this. Remember also to construct your deck with fire-retardant material such as ipe, redwood or cedar.

5. Use local, natural plant communities:
Examples in California include Redwood Forests, hot inland Valley Grasslands and Coastal Prairies. Large areas of Oakland and Berkeley hills once were Coastal Prairie that due to urbanization, are now converted to woodland. Using these plant communities to guide your plant selection gives your landscape a sense of place and context; plus your plants are more likely to thrive with minimum water and maintenance.

Consider also where your materials, furnishings and accessories come from: Are the boulders, flagstone or slate you select quarried locally or shipped from China or Africa? Is your furniture made locally with local materials? Your choice may significantly impact your carbon footprint.

Next time… Landscape for Less in the Landscape!

Voted 1 of Top 5 Landscape Designers

2010-06-29T17:07:00.000-07:00

We are thrilled to have finished in the Top 5 - Best Landscape Designers in the San Francisco Bay Area. Thank you to all who voted for us! We appreciate your lovely comments.

Car Idling

2010-05-15T17:52:00.000-07:00

Should I Shut Off the Motor When I'm Idling my Car?
Here's the rule of thumb: If you're in a drive-through restaurant/business line or waiting for someone and you'll be parked and sitting for 10 seconds or longer... turn off your car's engine.

Why? For every two minutes a car is idling, it uses about the same amount of fuel it takes to go about one mile. Research indicates that the average person idles their car five to 10 minutes a day. People usually idle their cars more in the winter than in the summer. But even in winter, you don't need to let your car sit and idle for five minutes to "warm it up" when 30 seconds will do just fine.

But you're not going anywhere. Idling gets ZERO miles per gallon.

The recommendation is: If you are going to be parked for more than 30 seconds, turn off the engine. Ten seconds of idling can use more fuel than turning off the engine and restarting it. And when you start your engine, don't step down on the accelerator, just simply turn the key to start.

An alternative to idling is to park your car, walk inside, do your business and then go back to your car.

Here are some other Myths associated with idling.

Myth #1: The engine should be warmed up before driving. Reality: Idling is not an effective way to warm up your vehicle, even in cold weather. The best way to do this is to drive the vehicle. With today's modern engines, you need no more than 30 seconds of idling on winter days before driving away.

Myth #2: Idling is good for your engine. Reality: Excessive idling can actually damage your engine components, including cylinders, spark plugs, and exhaust systems. Fuel is only partially combusted when idling because an engine does not operate at its peak temperature. This leads to the build up of fuel residues on cylinder walls that can damage engine components and increase fuel consumption.

Myth #3: Shutting off and restarting your vehicle is hard on the engine and uses more gas than if you leave it running. Reality: Frequent restarting has little impact on engine components like the battery and the starter motor. Component wear caused by restarting the engine is estimated to add $10 per year to the cost of driving, money that will likely be recovered several times over in fuel savings from reduced idling. The bottom line is that more than ten seconds of idling uses more fuel than restarting the engine.

Courtesy of: http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/myths/idling.html

Tour With Us

2010-05-08T15:54:00.000-07:00

If you live in or around San Francisco, join us for a tour of private gardens in Noe Valley on Saturday 12 June. A Liquidambar-designed garden is one of 8 that will be open to the public. Called 'Spirit of China,' the garden is a tribute to one of the owners who grew up in Shanghai.

Friends of Noe Valley sponsor the tour and proceeds benefit a neighborhood greening project. For details call May at 415.298.2344. See photo at the ShortTakes column of the May issue of Noe Valley Voice.

Water Water ... Everywhere?

2010-05-02T11:52:00.000-07:00

Recent rain storms might have you thinking we’re now over the three-year drought. Snow-pack is above normal for this time of year, reservoirs are filling up. But like the skeptics who believe the east coast snow storms disprove the ‘inconvenient truth’ of climate change, our water shortages are not replenished with just one wet winter. Without immediate action, California residents by 2015 will be consuming more water at current usage rates than will be available, regardless of future rains.

Effective January 2010, new state water regulations seriously impact the allowable use of water for landscaping (see link below: CA State AB 1881 - WELO - Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance). While these regulations may not directly affect many small urban gardens, they do provide a useful guide for people trying to plan for future conservation, because by 2020, California will require all residents to reduce overall water use by 20 percent. And in case this is not obvious, this legislation is telling us we face tighter supplies, and consequently, significantly higher water costs. It makes sense to start with this reality.

So what can we do now to prepare. One simple way to reduce water consumption is to harvest rainwater. Rainwater is harvested by redirecting down-spouts and gutters into water-tight barrels to which your irrigation system can be attached to run exactly as it would from your tap. In addition to watering your garden, rainwater also can be used for bathing, flushing toilets and washing laundry. Salvaging rainwater protects the environment as well as minimizing waste and costly treatment systems: Runoff water is a major source of pollution in San Francisco Bay, as it makes its way over toxic rooftop materials and oily streets into storm drainage systems.

Numerous resources are available on-line to demonstrate rain-barrel installations for the do-it-yourselfer (see links below). For the not-so-handy, rain barrels can be discretely designed into your new landscape (hidden under decks, screened with plants or trellis); or they can be added later as part of on-going maintenance. And if your budget prevents purchasing high-end designer tanks, other options are available for the resourceful homeowner. Some garden centers and hardware stores also sell barrels. Be aware: all rainwater storage units need to have a first flush diverter (literally, to clear debris from the initial water flow); a strainer to prevent dirt getting into your container; an overflow devise when the barrels fill up. And for functionality, containers are best elevated on concrete blocks or similar. It is critical they be water-tight and screened to dispel mosquitoes.

If properly harvested and stored, rainwater also is drinkable, but only if the containers are food grade (think earthquake preparedness!) As long as your roofing material is non-toxic, rainwater flowing off it is drinkable.

An alternative or adjunct to harvesting rainwater is to reclaim household ‘grey-water’ from the clothes washer, shower and/or dishwasher. This is more complex and may require the services of a plumber and in some areas, a permit. If these options are not viable for your space or the footprint of your home, another way to minimize waste while promoting healthier soil is to create a ‘rain garden.’ Essentially a retention basin, this shallow depression initially contains rainwater that is directed from gutters and down-spouts. As it percolates into the soil, the water is filtered of impurities, thus preventing polluted runoff from entering the municipal water system and the Bay. Properly designed, these areas can be incorporated into your new or existing garden and planted with appropriate trees, shrubs and perennials. Where space allows, they can be designed to look like wet/dry streams, swales or water-features.

As with rain gardens, the issue for most San Francisco Bay Area homeowners typically is space, or lack of space to store the rain barrels. Even if you have space for just one or two containers, these can be replenished in the dry season with water salvaged from the shower as it runs ‘till it’s hot. Possibly the simplest water-conserving method is to plant drought-tolerant natives, succulents and climate-appropriate plants that require minimal or no water once they become established. A responsible plant selection can produce a lush, luxuriant garden, as green as the once-favored lawn without the consequent hazards of pesticide use, oil-powered mowers and wasted water.

http://www.harvestingrainwater.com/drop-in-a-bucket-blog/;

http://www.greywaterguerrillas.com/;
http://www.water.ca.gov/wateruseefficiency/landscapeordinance/]

Greening San Francisco

2010-04-29T10:04:00.000-07:00

San Francisco Passes Landscaping Law

Edited from Rachel Gordon, SFChronicle Staff Writer

The continued quest by San Francisco officials to green the streets moved forward with final passage of legislation that will require developers to use landscaping to beautify the city and keep excess rainwater out of the sewers.

The Green Landscaping Ordinance, proposed by Mayor Gavin Newsom and approved unanimously by the Board of Supervisors, primarily will affect new development, but also will apply to owners who make significant alterations to their properties.

The legislation, which Newsom still must sign into law, will require that 50 percent of the surface area in new front yards be permeable, either with in-ground plantings, porous asphalt or interlocking bricks or pavers that will allow more rainwater to soak into the ground. The goal is to divert rainwater from the storm drains and reduce the burden on San Francisco's aging sewer system.

In addition, the legislation calls for parking lots, gas stations, car washes and other automobile-dense uses to be planted with more trees. Trees or ornamental fencing, or a combination of the two, will have to be used to screen larger lots from public view. Garage doors or solid walls can be used on smaller lots.

The new ordinance "will help San Francisco move forward with our environmental and aesthetic goals," said Supervisor Carmen Chu, lead sponsor of the proposal. "You will start to see a change over time.” Once existing properties were largely removed from the legislation's reach, no significant opposition emerged.

The new landscape ordinance builds on efforts over the last couple of years in San Francisco to create areas known as pocket parks on blocked-off streets, to plant median strips, and to rip out sections of sidewalk to make room for cafe tables and plants.

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/04/14/BA1P1CUBG8.DTL
This article appeared April 14 on page C - 1 of the San Francisco Chronicle

Sheet Mulching

2010-04-24T13:05:00.000-07:00

The Hows, Whys and…What?

Sheet mulching is one organic soil amending technique we can use very effectively in our gardens. This technique replicates what happens in nature by recreating the thick layer of decaying leaf litter that drops from trees. As this material breaks down, it improves and enriches the soil, creating a healthy soil structure that is essential for robust plant growth. You can use this technique to improve soil around existing plants or if you’re installing a new garden.

For details and photos, follow this link (thank you Susan!) to: blueplanetgardening.com/art-mulch.

Salvage Sources

2010-04-22T17:15:00.000-07:00

Recycle - Reuse - Repurpose: below are some local sources where you can reduce waste, divert tons of materials from landfills and pick up some useful or whimsical materials.

The ReUse People - www.thereusepeople.org
2100 Ferry Point, No. 150, Alameda; 510.522.0767
This nonprofit does whole house deconstruction and maintains an extensive warehouse of used building supplies.

Building Resources - www.buildingresources.org
701 Amador St, San Francisco; 415.285.7814
Part old-fashion junk yard, part art installation, Building REsources has lots of funky materials at great prices if you search among the rubble. Also sells tumbled recycled glass in all colors.

Scrap - www.scrap-sf.org
801 Toland St, San Francisco; 415.647.1746;
A non-profit, Scrap breathes new life into old objects by reusing materials such as textiles, buttons, paper, craft and office supplies, plastics and wood collected from businesses, institutions and individuals. Teachers, parents, artists and organizations depend on SCRAP as the place to find all manner of materials for projects and classrooms.

Ohmega Salvage - www.ohmegasalvage.com;
2407 & 2400 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley; 510.204.0767
Restoration materials and furniture from older, mostly pre-1950s buildings.

Urban Ore - www.shopinberkeley.com/urbanore
900 Murray St, Berkeley; 510.841.7283;
Everything and lots of it. Also a showcase for sustainable building materials and design features.

Whole House Building Supply - www.driftwoodsalvage.com
1955 Pulgas Rd, East Palo Alto; 650.328.8731;
Sign up for pre-demolition sale e-mails or call the hot line at 650.328.8732.
Wood, doors, windows, also some tubs, cabinets, mantels, sinks and appliances.

Caldwell’s Building Salvage - www.caldwell-bldg-salvage.com
195 Bayshore Blvd, San Francisco; 415.550.6777
Mostly lumber, windows, doors – with a great affordable door shop to build frames for old doors. Also windows, hardwood, the occasional claw-foot tub – plus a showroom with new flooring, bathrooms, etc.

Spring Tips

2010-04-19T20:31:00.000-07:00

The San Francisco Examiner recently interviewed me to get some 'Tips from a Pro' on what to do and see in the garden this time of year. Following is the edited version published 4 March 2010:

What special growing conditions are unique to our region?
We’re fortunate to have a Mediterranean climate. This means we have long dry summers with rain only in our short winter season. The area also has more than 30 microclimates.

What plants are in bloom now? What’s coming up, and how can we keep them looking good?
Plants from the southern hemisphere — South Africa, Chile, Australia, New Zealand — bloom during our winter, so these are good options. Most also tolerate drought. Plants that do well in more temperate climates also can thrive here. These include late-season and early-spring bloomers such as camellias, rhododendrons, azaleas and other acid-lovers typical of Asian or woodland gardens.

What other plants will soon be in season?
Many native California plants are early spring bloomers, like ceanothus, the wild lilac, available in a wide range of groundcovers, shrubs, and some that can be trained as small trees. You’ll see the California poppy and lupinus popping up. Ribes are the native currant, and gooseberry shrubs with gorgeous delicate blossoms. Arctostaphylos, the manzanitas, one of my favorites, offer some robust groundcovers, shrubs, and small trees with beautiful bronze bark.

Are there long-range steps we should take now to help our garden later?
Good soil structure produces healthy, robust plants. Most soils benefit from a good organic amendment that, over time, greatly enriches the soil. These are available at most good garden centers and can be applied in spring and fall. For mature gardens, top dressing works well — lay the amendment around the base of the plant and let the organisms in the soil do the work. In new gardens, mix amendment into the native soil when plants are being installed.

How about trimming and fertilizing?
It’s usually best to prune deciduous trees when they’re not in leaf. Hire a professional who can see the tree’s structure and trim appropriately for aesthetic value as well as tree health and leaf growth. Carefully select fertilizers and follow directions to fertilize roses, fruit trees and vegetables.

Special secrets for this time of year?
Foliage plants outperform many bloomers. Excellent examples include banksia, protea and leucadendron. One favorite is the “Safari Sunset” variety. Phormiums are tough flax that come in numerous colors as well as dwarf sizes for small spaces. Tree bark can shine in winter gardens: examples are coral bark Japanese maple, white bark birch, golden bronze of evergreen arbutus.

What are trends for gardens for 2010?
Water is the major concern, regardless of recent rains. Lawn substitutes, native and no-mow grasses will prevail. People also are planning vegetable gardens. Hopefully, more people will come to love succulents, which add enormous sculptural value to landscapes with well-draining soils, and they’re excellent in pots.

Read more at the San Francisco Examiner

4:34:00 PM by LIQUIDAMBAR Garden Design Delete