Waterwise, or, increase the oxygen level???

There is a new buzz going around every supplier we use lately offering artificial turf as an add on to our existing business. And, with the water issues the enviro-mentals contributed to (if you will recall, they reduced the amounts of water we can draw in San Diego from the Sacramento river to save some little fish which can easily be relocated in the many hatcheries throughout the California delta) there are many of our clients looking to conserve water first, without considering the benefits that real turf grass provides.

First, let us weigh the cost. Artificial grass is going to cost you as much if not more as brick pavers, as it is installed in a similar fashion with the sub base. Real grass will cost you a fraction of that.

You don't need to water artificial grass, or at least I hope not. A standing joke at my suppliers yards is that they need to water the fake grass...And to make sure it is installed green side up.

Artificial grass does not offer any oxygen for the environment, real grass cared for properly, offers up to 10 times the amounts of oxygen that a plant bed of similar size can offer.

Artificial grass does not need cutting, well at least not until some bird poops a weed seed which was pre germinated in his digestive system that will grow through the webbing and be impossible to remove.

Real grass can be maintained very easily.

Before you decide to drop big bucks on fake grass, remember there is nothing like the real thing, figure cost, with properly regulated water. Don't trust your illegal alien gardener to tell you how to water, as most of them only know how to cut, then trim, then add water. There are numerous web sites that you can obtain free information on the benefits of real grass vs the fake stuff.

If you have any questions, please call us at 858-794-8444, or you can E-mail at uniscaper@cox.net, or info@naturescapelandscape.com

Happy growing!

Pavers and Patios

Six short years ago in Encintas, Carlsbad, Rancho Santa Fe, and La Jolla, if I even mentioned brick pavers when planning a landscape I may have well suggested moon dust. Now, it appears our competition have become self proclaimed brick paving experts. Let me share with you a secret that few will admit to. Installing brick pavers is not rocket science, but it is something that requires certain steps that one must not deviate from if the work is to look as good as new 10 years after the installation.

Naturescape Landscape Company began in the midwest, where at least a foot more of rain falls each year, and freeze and thaws effect when we could work, and when we could not work.

The weather affected how our work was designed, just as it should out here. Just because we have temperate climates does not mean brick paving installers can skip important steps on pavers should be installed.

I personally have been installing pavers for over 20 years, soon after the Unilock Corporation brought them into the public eye. I am going to walk you through how Naturescape Landscape Company builds it's paver jobs.

Most places we install have an existing surface, and that is most likely concrete. The first part of the work will be removing the concrete using hydraulic hammers. Since we own all of our equipment, we never need to wait for some sub contractor to do our demolition for us. Along with concrete driveways, in the center of the pour, is usually rebar set on some type of grid pattern that was used as reinforcement. Since we recycle every load of broken concrete, we have to separate the steel from the rock, which can get time consuming. Class 2 road base is made from the concrete when it is placed into a huge machine and ground up. That steel we had set aside is taken to the recycle yard as soon as time permits us to do so.

Next thing we do is check the grades with a laser level to make sure the sub grade is where it needs to be when installing the base. Typically, we like to see no less than 6" of base on every job we do, and in commercial applications we recommend 12"-18" of base.

This is the part where those who skimp leave out, as there is only so much latitude in price, and the only way cheaters can get away without getting caught is to skimp on base and excavation.

Excavation on a typical residential driveway will be 10-11" below where the top of the concrete was. There are yet a few more issues that must be looked at, the first being soil types. San Diego North County can have as many as 4 different types of soil, Sandy Silt, Expansible Clay, Decomposed Granite, and Sand. The two you need to take particular care with are the first two, as both do not drain well, nor will they offer any structure to support weight, particularly when they are wet. The Class 2 Base applied at the 6" thickness and compacted to 90% proctor scale, will strengthen the pavers on top by adding support, and cohesion when all the granule of gravel bind together. In extreme cases, we use a landscape fabric under where the gravel is installed, which helps bind it in place, and, we can also add a multi directional Strata-Grid, installed right down the middle at 3".

Further, there are codes that prohibit any hardscape to be installed higher than 2" below the stucco vents on the side of the house. Many older homes have concrete poured over these vents, which, help drain the stucco when water soaks in. If they do not drain properly, mold can form, and your entire family can get sick.

After the gravel is smoothed to the subgrade we need it to be (every job is different) a 1" layer of Torpedo Sand, or C-mix is used to level the pavers. The pavers are installed in the pattern and color fo your choice, and any edge not adjacent to a house or structure is wet set in a 6" beam of concrete to lock them. Sand is swept into the joints, and vibrated in.

The project is now ready to enjoy for the next 40 years.

If anyone offers paver installation and does not use these steps, in the thicknesses I mentioned, stop the job and have them correct it before going any farther or eventually, your hard earned money will have gone to waste.

If any questions, please call Naturescape Landscape Company

858-794-8444
www.naturescapelandscape.com
www.paversnow.com

Backyard Fireplace

One of the most warming welcome accessories you can add to your backyard landscape is a fireplace. Much like cars come in different shapes and colors, so do fireplaces. Essentially, the inside, is the inside, and the outside is whatever we can help you dream up.

In the example pictured, the owner loves the Gothic architecture of Chile, and South America. We made this beauty to capture much of that style. The stucco was Santa Barbara, and left with blotches on the surface to give an antique feel. To authenticate the look we achieved, we took a mini grinder and cut in a crack along the chimney then used a darker coloring to blotch and accentuate the color.

After it was all finished, something was still missing. In conversation, I mentioned that I could imagine seeing a Gargoyle climb up the sides to the roof. Next thing you know, we were attaching these beauties to the fireplace.

Gothic is not for everyone, matter of fact, it is for fewer people than one may think. What is for everyone, is what they can dream, and there are no limits when one puts their mind through the process of planning.

What are your dreams? If you closed your eyes right now, and imagined what your backyard landscape might look like, what would it look like? You may want to jot that thought down on paper and file it for a future date, or you may just want to give Naturescape Landscape Company a call right now. 858-794-8444, or check out our amazing work at www.naturescapelandscape.com

We make your dirt worth more than you paid for it!

Green Landscape Green Irrigation

In this day and age, it seems every time we turn on the radio, there are more and more commercials incorporating the term "green" in their message. Personally, I think this name is a misnomer in the respect that many products listed within what is considered as "Green" spec building are anything but green. To a landscape contractor, or a backyard landscape, green means just that, "green".

A correct example of green is when I jokingly tell our hard working employees laying sod, "Hey guys, remember, Green side up!" Don't laugh, a friend of mine from Illinois who is in the landscape industry had a crew lay 4 pallets of sod green side down.....Don't ask, just laugh and take it for what it is, then learn and move on like he did!

We call recycled door and window products "green". We say that if a building is within a certain distance from public transportation depots, it is located in a "green" zone, and the list goes on and on. Green and recycling, in the sense of the word, makes perfect sense, if it is done correctly, in a sensible manor, and free of politics and the need to create jobs in exchange for votes.
My example, is, that when I got out of school, I worked for a disposal company while building Naturescape Landscape Company. The recycling movement came on very strong in the late 80's and early 90's, and there was this need to create work, so, everyone jumped on board without seeing the whole picture. Rather than have programs where participants such as homeowners and tenants separate recyclables in various colored plastic bags, thousands of recycle bins were distributed. A special use truck body was designed just for curbside separation. Further, by keeping "green" waste (this time the term is used correctly) such as lawn clippings from landfills, we created a yard waste truck to carry the waste to the compost site to be recycled into compost and fertilizers. We then expanded the recycle program into appliances. Rather than placing everything into one truck which would take the items to a facility where they would be sorted, we now have 4 trucks driving on roads, (most are diesel powered) using fuel, and employing a 300% larger workforce, for less collected revenue than what one truck used to do the entire job for. We still can recycle, we simply don't need 4 trucks on the roads, let alone the amount of employees running up costs.

Saving resources is a great thing, if for two reasons standing side by side before all things, that being to first, save money, while at the same time, saving resources.

This brings me to the topic of the thread, Green Landscape, Green irrigation. We have found ourselves made wiser not only by choice, rather from legislation, and everyone knows that anytime Uncle Sam places his nose in the affairs of private enterprise how much more efficient and cost effective operations are right? I think not...Remember, oh, about 15 years or so ago, when the water district that served Encinitas placed a huge water scare on everyone, passing the word though very effective marketing that we would run out of water if we all did not conserve? And, thankfully, everyone listened, water usage was cut back by I have forgotten what percentage now...Remember that? Well, if you remember that, you also remember that the same water district that published the literature, rewarded all who followed their request by increasing the water rates by a little more than the percentage of usage that had now not been used. That's right, rather than laying people off and finding ways to downsize their overhead, they just bumped the rates to compensate as all government has done.

You may ask, "does mean I feel that saving resources is a bad thing?" Absolutely not. Does this mean Naturescape will not be installing smart watering systems? Nope. We now offer a full line of water wise (correct term used here) "green" spec equipment (incorrect term used there) to tend your properties needs. I simply thought that before I entered the topic I wanted to write about, that the proper stage be set for you all.

With all that was just said, I am very proud to announce that Naturescape Landscape Company was just awarded a contract for a mixed usage (commercial-residential) in Solana Beach, California, that is "Green Certified" weather the name is correct for the type of building or not. Sorry, I had to throw that in there. We will be installing a water wise irrigation system using a rain sensor and moisture control system, and incorporate low water drought resisitant plants.

The building will take full advantage of being located within the morning fog layer of the ocean, and that fog, waters plants very effectively. We have designed the system around shade and sun zones, taken into consideration that plant beds near hardscape surfaces will dry faster and need more accurately directed water. The controller or clock as some irrigation techs call it, has the ability to start and stop water 48 times per day for as little as one minute per interval. Using so many time intervals allows water the soak into the ground where it benefits the plants, and not run down the sidewalk where as it carries dirt from the street, pollutes the ocean.

To credit the builder, he has made almost every requirement to allow this building to be called "green". He even went as far as to use brick pavers in his parking lot to help prevent water run off and allow it to enter the ground. Building green makes perfect sense, and there is allot more in it for you than just helping the environment. That makes it a win-win!

If you or someone you know wants to make a water wise "green" landscape, have them give us a call at 858-794-8444, or you can check us out on the web at www.naturescapelandscape.com

Backyard landscape

Some people are blessed with large yards, natural rock, and were lucky enough to find a landscape contractor like Naturescape, whose designers had enough foresight to have the manufacturer custom blend the stone to match the natural rock in the landscape.

In this scenario, the owner entrusted us to create a landscape based off budgetary guidelines per item ( Barbecue, Retaining wall, Brick pavers, Spa) and stage it where we could fit it in. We installed the work you see before you with no plan, because we knew taking the time to design one would be a waste of time, not knowing where the rocks you see were located beneath the dirt.

We brought our tractor to the site and began cutting dirt away from the slope until we hit rock.

After we exposed a significant amount of rock, we then jetted the rest away with a high pressure water hose until we were down to the sub-grade we needed to be at.
We let the pad sit over the weekend to dry, and allowed the owners to see what room we have available to place their ideal backyard landscape. Once we knew where each item in the backyard was going to go, we began installing the infrastructure, such as drains, electric, and gas.

The barbecue, spa, retaining walls and stairs were then created, and we planted Flower Carpet Roses over the wall to dazzle the eye with rich, vibrant color. This backyard landscape and the owners were incredible to work with, and to date, this project was one of the most fun we have ever done by using the techniques we had used.

If you want to see more backyard landscape ideas, check out our website at www.naturescapelandscape.com. Until next time, enjoy your back yard.

Attitude

Everywhere I have been this week, it seems everyone has been belly aching about the economy, they are slow, etc. etc. When they ask me how Naturescape is doing, my usual reply is outstanding! I pick up the supplies for the jobs we are on and behind the windshield my brain works overtime. I write down thoughts of various things I have, and implement the ideas we need to make happen to prosper. I learned a long time ago that that if your ship has not come in, you had best jump in the water and swim to it, no matter how cold, deep or shark infested the waters are. Standing on the shore will get you nothing but wind and sun burned. About 5 years ago, when things were so booming in Socal, I saw this slow down occur in my mind. So, we decided, rather than go for the quick easy work on new houses with nothing on the ground, we entered the landscape redo market. It is so rewarding to take a dated landscape, or one with issues, and recreate it to the perfection that will satisfy our clients.

Said all that, there has never been a better time in California to add those items to your landscape you either did not think of, or could not afford. I'll give you a case in point.

We typically meet with a client the first time and conduct the meeting as an interview. At Naturescape, we are in the business of solving problems. If no problem is presented, it is impossible to solve it, and, we would have a not happy client.

I rolled up on this 5 year old higher end tract home with a 180° view of the deep blue
Pacific. As with most tractile environments, there is a fence separating lots, and a wall stopping the owner from going down the slope into the canyon. Directly ahead in view, and about 50' down, were a cluster of roof tops with ocean poking through where nothing blocked the view. To each side of the center, unimpaired views of the ocean. The problem at hand is/was that even on an 80° day, it is so clod from canyon and ocean breezes that it is unbearable. The challenge, is to somehow stop or divert that wind.

After an hour or so of questioning, the owners and I concluded that if we lowered the patio/deck space near the pool, then installed some seat benches and a wind wall of tempered glass, much of the problem would be diverted over the top. An outdoor gas fired fireplace was added to the mix. The shape is going to be convex, to roll along the line and block wind, and offer heat for the couple and their kids. Decking will be redone with Quartzite stone, hand cut in large pieces so it is not so rough on the feet. The spa and planters and going to be redone with the same flagstone. Some genius installed faux stone ( man made) around the spa, and the water pours out the face and mold was forming badly in the joints.

To assimilate the wind wall, we used plywood, haphazardly nailed together to act as how the glass would work. After sitting on a colder day, the problem's solution was created, or at least worked into a test drive before the couple invested allot of money on something that did not work for them.

As we excavate and form this site, the couple took an hour off work to help us, and them visualize how they ideally wanted the walls to look. This way, the potential problem of building something that functioned, but did not meet the aesthetic requirements of the owner would not be built. This is a win from the gate.

The method described is typically how we at Naturescape operate. The time to make field adjustments was included in the cost, and we avoid a project that the owners would not be happy with. I will be posting complete progress shots next time.

We build it your way at our company, we turn your dreams into reality, within most realistic budgets.

Let us come solve any landscape problems you may be having. Take the time to make that call, it will be the most rewarding call you ever make.

Until the next post, have an awesome time in your yard!!!!

Irrigation systems and gardeners

There is a huge misconception in Encinitas and San Diego that the gardener you hire is qualified to do the work he claims he says he will do. The typical M.O. for most gardeners is that when something looks a little off color just add more water and anything your garden need will cure itself.

Such was the case over at one of our client's homes, where they called me over to check out a leak, or supposed leak. I've been in this game a long time, and experience told me that since I did not see any craters blown open in the dirt, the chances of a leak in the proportions they told me was not going to be there. So, after my visual inspection, the next thing I wanted to see is the irrigation controller. It is a Hunter control, made right over in San Marcos. All I series controllers use a remote access device called a "Smart Port", and it was never installed. This device, if put on the outside of the house gives anyone who has a radio control the ability to set, check, and run the system without ever entering the home. (Naturescape Landscape Company carries those radios in every service truck we have) The clock appeared normal, until I got to two stations that were set for 2 hours of watering in the middle of the night. This was the flooding problem, as ground does not absorb water the same way as in places where it freezes over winter and gets allot more rain.

The gardener assured the client the system was properly set. Gardeners, are not, I repeat, are not licensed landscape contracting firms. Most have little more knowledge than to cut, and trim, and at best, they make obscure geometric shapes, urban assault balls, and cork screws out of perfectly healthy plants. The damage they do to irrigation systems just by qualifying themselves in the eyes of the public goes far beyond a simple goof here and there.

This is all the more reason to hire an irrigation professional when you have issues with your system. If we can ever be off service, please call 858-794-8444.

Until next time, have a great day!