Your landscaper spots a plant with a problem on a regular walk around the property. Its leaves are black, sooty, and sticky. Unsightly. She prescribes a strategy that includes releasing beneficial insects. It’s one of many natural tools that will help. In the green industry, we call that problem a pest. Pests can refer to […]
Trends to entice workers back to SF Bay Area offices COVID gave remote employees a fresh perspective on the workplace. The verdict wasn’t pretty. A survey by Essity, a global health and hygiene company, found that most workers felt they had a healthier lifestyle working from home than in the office. 58 percent felt their […]
Why tree care planning is critical It’s the best thing you can do to ensure a tree’s survival in the drought. Huge, mature trees. Whether you have one or a hundred, I’ve heard many stories about drought-stressed trees whose symptoms weren’t apparent to the average person. But ultimately, they became infected and had to be […]
Fire Fuel Reduction is more important now than ever. Some people refer to it as Vegetation Management. They mean the same thing – reducing and eliminating any hazardous vegetation that poses the risk of wildfire. Weed abatement is a part of this process. What you need to know is – that now is the time […]
Marin Water, reporting that reservoirs are higher than they have been in years, (95% full in fact!) voted unanimously to ease the ban on irrigation. The district serves both Central and Southern Marin County, except for Novato and West Marin. See the next section for NMWD updates. This update means that residents in this district […]
Temporary solutions that will prevent erosion on your slope If you have your property has a slope – taking quick action now could prevent damage from erosion. We will probably have more rain before the end of the season and if your slope is not stable read our post. It explains erosion in the landscape, […]
Delivering joy in red, white, and red glitter! We will deliver Poinsettias to your office in San Francisco or Marin County. If you are back in the office, treat yourself to some well-deserved cheer. In Italian they are called Stella di Natale; in German, Weihnachtsstern. They come to you in a decorative foil sleeve. We […]
Recycled Water Delivery in Marin County Do you have drought-stressed trees or plants? If so, and you live in the County or its surrounding areas you could have recycled water delivered to your door! Marin Water’s website explains some of its benefits. “Using recycled water for irrigation saves our drinking water supply and benefits the […]
Employees want more nature in the workplace How do employees envision the post-pandemic workplace? I’ve combed the web to find out. Studies have been trickling in – starting last year. This post is a compilation from a myriad of sources. A trend is taking shape. Nature is a common denominator. A note about the process. […]
Adapting Your Landscape We’re going to help you adapt your landscape to the drought. Yes – you can adapt. We see it as a combination of being well-informed, horticultural best practices, and creative reimagining. Beautiful landscapes can and will prevail. They may look different. How we use plants and water will change, and we […]
Prevention and Control of Top 7 Invasive Weeds The top 7 invasive weeds that we highlight this month are predators that will leach water and nutrients from your desired plants. Some of them are highly flammable. Our treatment recommendations for getting rid of the top 7 emphasize the least toxic practices. Getting rid of these […]
Landscape drainage problems like standing water in your yard, deck, hardscape, and around your building or house can be a nightmare! Let’s talk about it. There are some great solutions for drainage issues. Ones that work best with Mother Nature, whether you have a yard or a commercial property. Signs of a Landscape Drainage […]
Joy comes in red, white, burgundy, and pink! You’ve had a tough year. Let some fresh Poinsettias help you celebrate the holidays with well-deserved cheer. These classic Poinsettias arrive in a decorative foil sleeve. If you like, we will maintain them through the holidays, or you can maintain them yourself. Limited quantities are available. Order […]
In these uncertain times, more people are finding solace in the garden. Growing edibles surging in popularity. Plants and seeds are flying off the shelves of garden centers. That leads us to water. SF Bay Area Water Districts are eager to help you save money on water-saving irrigation equipment, drought-tolerant plants, and lawn conversion. How […]
We are well into May – the official start of fire season. It may be hiding behind the coattails of COVID-19, but we know it’s here. In spite of recent rains (which we are grateful for), temperatures will heat up and dry weather will prevail for the next several months. Like clockwork the call volume […]
San Francisco’s oldest retirement community, called Heritage on the Marina, is a historic building, designed by California’s first woman architect and owned by one of the city’s oldest philanthropic organizations. Located in San Francisco’s Marina district, a neighborhood recognized for its iconic architecture. Looking at the northeast corner of the property, you will see a […]
Gardeners’ Guild will deliver Poinsettias to your SF Bay Area office Having Poinsettias delivered will put a smile on your face. Your office mates will thank you. Our interior division services San Francisco and the East Bay as well as Marin, Sonoma and Napa Counties. Limited quantities available. Order today. Your poinsettia order options* Either […]
What’s Unique about Gardening for Pollinators in the Bay Area Most important is plant types. Because of the bay area microclimates, planting in the right environment is critical. Plant vigor will be impacted by sun exposure, fog, heat, soil type and wind. Learn about pollination in a stunning video (below) that catches them in the […]
Why your weeds keep coming back Have you noticed an abundant crop of weeds this spring? One reason – the heavy rains of last fall and winter may have awakened long-dormant seeds. Does it feel like the long rainy winter just erased all the backbreaking work you did last year? Our guide to weeds includes […]
2 Reasons this Urban Multifamily Community Garden is Thriving People are growing their own food in bigger number than ever before. In urban areas this trend is surging, particularly in multifamily communities. These communities include apartments and condominium associations. It enhances the sense of community and increases property values. An NYU study in 2006 (the […]
Primary Landscape Trends for 2019 We notice some landscape trends return year after year. They remain on the list because their popularity is still soaring. Like edible and community gardens. These two are big – and encouraging. More people are embracing plants – indoors and out. Millennials are spending a lot of money on plants. […]
Rose Pruning is Easier Than You Think! Our tips and tools give you all the basics to make it easy. We tell you when and how. Plus advise you on the best tools to make it safe. And, easy. Straight from the experts. Including a video. The Goal of Rose Pruning We call it the […]
Gardeners’ Guild will deliver Poinsettias to your SF Bay Area office Having Poinsettias delivered will put a smile on your face. Your office mates will thank you. Our interior division services San Francisco and the East Bay as well as Marin, Sonoma and Napa Counties. Limited quantities available. Order today. Your poinsettia order options* Either […]
Prevention and Control of Top 7 Invasive Weeds Using the Least Toxic Practices Our report on the top 7 invasive weeds in the SF Bay Area was re-worked from one I posted in 2016 weeds typical in the San Francisco Bay Area including the most invasive weeds. The top 7 invasive weeds is focused on […]
Sifting through a long list of 2018 trends in landscaping and gardening, we extracted ones more closely pertaining to the San Francisco Bay Area. These important trends reflect our changing climate and how/ what people are planting this year. Plus there’s a brief, but inspiring case study about an old-fashioned practice made new again. […]
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They probably will need water. We tell you what to look for – and how – so you know for sure if your plants need water. A Typical Winter Irrigation is normally turned off in the winter. Why? Plants need less water during that time. The soil is cool and moisture evaporates more slowly Moreover, […]
A Rebirth for Waldo Point’s Houseboat Community Still standing after over one hundred years, Sausalito’s Waldo Point Harbor sits proudly on the San Francisco Bay. It is located off Bridgeway at the north end of Sausalito. Yesterday’s exposed electrical wires and other safety hazards is being replaced with beauty and order. Waldo Point’s Houseboat Community […]
I’ve updated our post about drainage from March of this year. We talk again about solutions to landscape drainage problems. There is additional detail added including graphics that describe the drainage problems and solutions. One of the solutions described below is a dry creek bed. It was a project of Gardeners’ Guild at Spring Lake […]
San Francisco Street Tree Maintenance Implementation Schedule The passage of Proposition E last November, was welcome news for San Francisco property owners. There is, however, a lengthy start up period as San Francisco’s street tree maintenance implementation doesn’t begin until 2019. Depending on the type, health or age of the tree, waiting until that time […]
Order Poinsettias help North Bay fire victims Gardeners’ Guild is launching this campaign for the 2017 holiday season because of the catastrophic effects the wildfires have had on San Francisco North Bay residents. It will take a lot of support for survivors to rebuild their lives. And, Gardeners’ Guild wants to help. The “how” of […]
Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by the north bay wildfires. Massive swaths of Santa Rosa decimated within hours. Countless numbers of residents now homeless. Other evacuees, anxiously praying for a home to return to. October, with its notorious Santa Ana winds, is upon us. Below are tips for keeping your property and family […]
The photo above is breathtaking reminder of the toll our rainy season has taken on San Francisco Bay Area residents. El Niño surprised us with a ferocious encore performance. Many of our properties, roads and highways are still recovering. Highway 37 is an extreme example of what happens when drainage fails. Five feet of water […]
Interior plants are good for your health! A ton of research proves it. Interior plants help improve air quality, and office productivity. Research published by NASA explains how plants clean toxic chemicals from the air such as: benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene. These chemicals are emitted by paint, computers, carpeting, cleaning fluids, etc. A few […]
About Bamboo Adorning the perimeter of many commercial buildings, the willowy Bamboo stands, in containers and planter beds, providing screens and landscape focal points. Its reputation as a renewable resource for flooring to furniture and even fabric, make it emblematic of the sustainability movement. We maintain several sites in San Francisco with Bamboo plants and […]
What’s new in landscape and gardening? Every year there are numerous reports on the latest trends in plants, hardscape, irrigation and even color. From technology to outdoor living. Designers, Landscape Architects and Green Industry pundits weigh in on what’s hot. There are several sources for this article. The people at Gardeners’ Guild have chimed in […]
Forest Pathologist with UC Berkeley and expert in Sudden Oak Death Matteo Garbelotto reported that the number of Bay Laurels infected by Sudden Oak (SOD) has increased by 30% in Marin County in the past year. They anticipate that percentages in all bay area counties will be similar. Some experts say that the drought is […]
How A Neighborhood Drainage Problem Was Solved I live in a semi-rural unincorporated neighborhood in North Marin. Our houses are built on a steep hillside. When it rains the water runs down the north side of the street and into a gutter with an underground pipe. No sewers. When the water flows unobstructed all […]
The holidays are coming! Now is the time to order your Poinsettias from Gardeners’ Guild. Get your commercial building in the holiday spirit. Our interior division services San Francisco, East Bay including Richmond, Emeryville, Berkeley, Oakland; as well as Marin, Sonoma and Napa Counties. Our nurseries grow limited quantities so order by second week in […]
Summer May be Over but Fall’s Bounty is Upon Us. A profusion of colorful fall plants both annuals and perennials are now available from our suppliers! Their brilliant colors will make an impact on the landscape of your residential or commercial property. They come in bright colors like pink, red, purple, white and yellow. 10 […]
Whether you own or manage a commercial property, an association or a residence, healthy trees add value to your property and community They can increase a property’s value by 20%. They break the cold winds to lower your heating costs The net cooling effect of a young, healthy tree is equivalent to ten room-size air […]
SFPUC Local Regulations 10% voluntary reduction in water use compared to 2013 – all SFPUC customers. 25% reduction of landscape watering lifted as of July 1, 2016 Revert wastewater flow factors back to their original adjustments, effective July 1, 2016. Prohibited water activities (State Requirements) Watering outdoor landscapes that causes runoff to sidewalks, streets, and hardscapes […]
If you are a Property Manager, you are likely knee-deep in budget season Remember that landscaping can increase the value of a house from 5% to 12.7%. On a $400,000 home 5.5% is $22,000; 12.7% adds $50,800.* Conversely, a degraded or disorganized collection of plants detracts from a home or commercial building’s value. Bob Vila says that […]
Firespinner Iceplant “Delosperma” There are a number of resources for firesafe landscaping. This post summarizes some of the best practices, plus links for more information. Tip 1: Create Defensible Space Defensible space is the clearance created between a structure and the grass, shrubs, trees or any natural area that surrounds it. State of California says […]
The Difference Between Landscapers From mom and pop operations to large national companies, there are a million different types of landscapers. Because education and training is not a prerequisite the degree of knowledge and professionalism varies from company to company. A landscape installation is a major investment and the new landscape’s lifespan depends on how […]
Imagine for a minute. You go to the store to buy strawberries. There you discover that strawberries are not available – ever. It could happen. Not likely, but it could. Not just berries, but apples, oranges, lemons, limes, carrots, avocados, cantaloupes, cucumbers, alfalfa and almonds – all gone. No more guacamole. Goodbye apple pie. How […]
The State Water Resources Control Board, responding to pressure to relax water rationing from June 2015, is allowing water districts to set their own conservation targets based a projected additional three-year dry spell. An important caveat: the state will have oversight and each district will be required to submit a monthly water use report. And, […]
It’s called pervious (concrete) paving and it’s got the attention of an increasing number of designers and property developers. Why? Because it can save money and it’s better for the environment than standard concrete paving. In fact, it’s among the EPA’s Best Management Practices. What it is An innovative technology that consists of a porous […]
Simple Irrigation Fixes That Can Save $$$$ Consider this first: 80% of plant problems are due to over-watering. (Source Sunset Magazine) Gardeners’ Guild saved a residential community client 53% off their water bill by rigorous monitoring of their system and simple repairs. Fixing Irrigation Leaks and Breaks* Capping irrigation in places that didn’t require watering […]
State of California – late April news The state water board held an informational workshop on urban water conservation measures to discuss potential adjustments to the drought emergency regulation extension. Possible action to adjust the conservation requirements would likely be taken in May 2016. They considered whether any elements of these measures could be modified. […]
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