Time to turn your irrigation system on again Coming up for air after one monstrous storm after another. And now it’s spring. Your plants have had a good drenching for months. But suddenly, it’s heating up outside, and it’s time to check and see if your irrigation system still works. The damage from our record-breaking […]
Our downloadable landscape activities guide for the year We’re featuring a downloadable infographic/calendar of landscape activities in response to the requests of many of our clients. (See link below). Broken out by month, we recommend three to five seasonal activities for each. Check out our sample activities for the first quarter of the year. Dormant […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Water saving trends, tools and tips for your SF Bay Area landscape Irrigation technology is becoming more efficient. Our post lists trends and tips you can use to irrigation more efficiently. Smart Irrigation Controller Trends What you need to know about trends in Smart Irrigation Controllers It’s about accessibility! And, cloud storage. Controlling your system […]
California’s New Permanent Water Regulations Explained We explain California’s new permanent water regulations, in plain language. Why it was passed. Its effect on you. Below there is a link to resources that will help you conserve. And, we squish one ridiculous myth flying around the web! Freshly signed into law by Governor Brown, the bills […]
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 […]
This confirms what we expected after a ferocious rainy season that wreaked havoc throughout much the state. Key facts: Just one year ago only 5% of the state was drought free Sierra snowpack stands at 179% of its historic average (the biggest in 22 years) San Joaquin Valley and most of Southern California remains in […]
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 […]
San Francisco Bay Area – The California Department of Water Resources reminds us that it’s time to turn off your irrigation! The rains we have had and forecasts for more are sufficient in the short term. Remember that trees, shrubs and flowers use less water in the winter. One inch of rain is enough moisture […]
Gardeners’ Guild is obsessed with weather. Well – we are a landscape contracting company and we must adapt on a moment’s notice to rain, high winds and unseasonable heat or frost. We also stay on top of long term forecasting because our clients depend on us to help them manage their resources. I personally […]
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 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. […]
Much of my weather wisdom is gathered from Daniel Swain from his blog weatherwest.com. The Climate Scientist and Phd. candidate for Stanford’s Department of Environmental Earth Science coined the term – “Ridiculously Resilient Ridge” after the obstinate high pressure system that ushered in much of our drought. His most recent post summarizes El Niño’s impact […]
Every year journalists in the industry forecast what is new for the next year. What I saw when digging around (no pun intended) were subtle offshoots of similar themes over the past few years. This post tries to make sense of what experts are forecasting and why homeowners and property managers should be interested. Trends […]
I heard a report this week on KQED about the drought outlook going forward into spring, 2016. The good news is Northern California had a lot of rain. Bay area residents can attest to the high winds, torrential rains and ensuing tree falls; power outages typical of heavy winter weather. Many of us were sighing […]
Their Place in Nature Weeds are not all bad. They provide some benefits (listed below). The definition for weeds is “a plant out of place”. But considering most people welcome weeds as much as they do taxes, this definition seems more fitting: “plants whose undesirable qualities outweigh their good points.” (Taken from Penn State’s website) […]
Your trees can suffer a lot of damage and can also do serious damage to your home or vehicle. They can also knock out power. Drought stressed trees are more vulnerable to the high winds and heavy rain of an El Niño winter. Limbs can break off and go flying. The bigger the tree, […]
Tuesday, August 12th Both utilities met and unanimously approved mandatory restrictions for outdoor water use. EBMUD restrictions include: using potable water for decorative ponds or fountains, washing cars or boats is prohibited unless the hose has a shutoff nozzle. Washing sidewalks or driveways, irrigating lawns or gardens with potable water more than two days per […]
We’re aware that California is in a drought. This information is nothing new – except – that the maps below illustrate the progression of our drought since 2011. Click on illustration below to see in more depth. Those of us in the bay area are insulated from the most severely affected which unfortunately are in […]
The California State Water Resources Control Board is submitting a proposal to Sacramento Tuesday, July 15th, designed to impose strict penalties to residents who overuse water. It would require local officials to monitor usage and levy fines up to $500. Chairwoman Felicia Marcus says “we are trying to ring a bell and get people’s attention. […]
The increase was approved in 2013 but it is now in effect. The 9.5% increase is the second highest increase in two years. EBMUD (East Bay Municipal Utility District) says the reason for the increase is for pipe and equipment maintenance that has been deferred since 2008. Many of the districts pipes are more than […]
We are especially proud of our construction division this year. Gardeners’ Guild received three awards for a construction project in Mill Valley. National, State and Regional landscape trade organizations have recognized our exceptional work! The National Recognition was first place. The property is situated on a steep slope overlooking the Mt Tam. The homeowners wanted […]
The Village at Corte Madera is taking steps toward more sustainable practices in their landscaping! We recently performed some landscape renovation work to planter beds on the east and west sides (against the buildings) of the shopping center. Drought resistant plantings including Ornamental grass (Fescue), Limonium, Phormium (New Zealand Flax), Cistus (Rock Rose) and Alstroemeria […]
For those of you who have lawns, you know they are time consuming to care for in terms of water, fertilization and weed abatement. Does the grass feel spongy under your feet? Do you notice it has brown patches? The brown patches can be an irrigation problem, pest or a cultural issue. Or – it […]
Gardeners’ Guild’s January newsletter I wrote about the California Delta Project – known as the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP). Since it effects a large portion of the state and has to do with water I was curious about the why, how and how much. About the project – Governor is proposing that […]
Below are photos of our sheet mulching project on Carlson Blvd, Richmond Annex! Located between San Pablo Avenue/El Cerrito to the east, Carlson Boulevard is the main thoroughfare through what is referred to as the the annex, connecting downtown Richmond with downtown El Cerrito. Some sheet […]
Richmond Annex is a neighborhood in southeast Richmond. It is mostly residential and located between San Pablo Avenue/El Cerrito to the east. Carlson Boulevard is the main thoroughfare through the annex, connecting downtown Richmond with downtown El Cerrito. This corridor is experiencing a rebirth and Gardeners’ Guild won the bid to install the landscape into […]
This is Phase 1 of a complete landscape renovation project in Emeryville, for a condominium association. It is being done in conjunction with a building renovation This phase includes an irrigation upgrade, excavating all the soil in planter beds, new shrubs, trees and ground cover. It is scheduled for completion around the end of February […]
This was an article written by one of our managers and was recently printed in an industry trade journal. It speaks volumes about our company’s irrigation know-how. By Paul Thunstrom As an irrigation technician, you will be viewed by your clients and colleagues as a technically advanced problem solver. You will be expected to […]
Recently I drove along with our President and Director of Business Development to one of our current landscape installation projects in the East Bay. It’s the West Gate Cherry Tree Project in Berkeley. In fact, it is right outside of the west entrance to UC Berkeley. The purpose of the project is to recognize the […]
An irrigation audit – essentially – is an evaluation of an irrigation system’s performance. The results provide a road map on how to improve irrigation performance. It takes a trained professional, knowledgeable in irrigation and the audit process, to develop an effective irrigation audit. There are three steps in developing an irrigation system […]
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