TUSTIN GARDEN REVISITED

I recently revisited a garden that I had designed and was installed in 2013 for a lovely husband and wife in Tustin.  They wanted to loose their grass and replace it with California native plants, a path that leads from the front door to the street and an area to chill out.  I was please to see that the garden was doing well.  Below are some pictures of the garden.

SUSTAINABLE GARDEN MAKEOVER IN MISSION VIEJO

I was contacted last year by a husband and wife in Mission Viejo who had a front and back yard that they wanted to renovate.  They had done the landscape 30 years ago when they bought the house and what they had was perfect for their growing family.  But now the kids have fled the nest and they wanted something a bit more adult suited.   What we did was overhaul 90% of the garden.

In the front yard we redid the drive way with concrete and a flagstone banding.  We repeated that same flagstone (called butternut from resource building materials) as the main path to the front door. Some of the grass in the front was kept (yes they still wanted to keep a bit of grass) and added California native plants in the other planting areas.

In the back yard we replaced what was a small broken concrete pad with the same flagstone that we used in the front yard.   We made it into a half circle shape to add interest.  We also added a gravel path that leads to the shed.  Some existing trees and shrubs were kept but a descent amount of California native plants were added.

In both the front and the back we used bark mulch and re-used some concrete things as the edging between the hardscape and the softscape.  The last remaining item is to furnish the back with nice table and chairs but for now we are going to hold off until winter when they have had a chance to financially breath.  You can see images of this project here.

EARTH FRIENDLY MISSION VIEJO GARDEN

I was hired by a lovely husband and wife in Mission Viejo to design their compact front yard.  It was not a big space but just enough to add some pizzazz and a bit of life to what was dead lawn.  I began by having the site measured to ensure that the measurements I was working with would be accurate. I then created two concept drawings that the homeowner's and I met to thoroughly go over.  The attached picture is the winning concept.  We then went to a nursery to look at the proposed plants.  From there I created a final drawing that a referred licensed landscape contractor could accurately bid from.

I like to meet with both the contractor and homeowner(s) to discuss the project in detail so that there is no confusion.  Once the project is underway I coordinate with the contractor to ensure that things are flowing smoothly.  Regular site visits and placing of plants are necessary.

This particular client got an earth friendly makeover using California native plants, pottery and other cool accessories.  This video is a peak into the project.  You can also see photos of this project here.