Cindy Poore

Since 1972, I have been designing , building and maintaining the scenery of people's lives all over Southern California. I love helping people live more comfortable lives through their landscapes and surrounding environment.

Ok, the end of April, brings warmer weather and the gardening season is in full swing. We are all tired of looking at the barren branches of the winter dress of our plants. Most plants are sporting new leaves and blooms. Of some of the stragglers that are lagging behind, crepe myrtle or Russian sage being the ones that comes to mind first. If you aren’t sure if your plants made it through the winter, just check the branches. Try bending the tips to see if they are still pliable. Or cut a small piece off and see if there is green under the bark. If they are pliable or green, just be patient for a few weeks longer. Your patience will be rewarded when your plant comes back to life seemingly overnight. 

Spring bulbs add fun

Spring bulbs add fun

What, you say? your yard is not all smiles and tulips?  If it is like many yards here in the high desert’s Victor Valley, you can hardly find your yard underneath all the weeds! The weeds love spring too!

It is time to start thinking about carving out more time to enjoy your yard and what it will take to do that. Planning is the key. You must think ahead to get on top of the problems.

We are puttin down weed preventer and weed killer by the gallons this spring. But, if you planned ahead, the best time to do that is before the weeds show up, in the winter. December, January and February are best.  Most people like to gamble they wont get so many weeds during the winter, but the smart ones, prepare ahead and are spending their spring enjoying the results of their winter planning.

If you missed the boat and are swamped with weeds both in your lawn, (can you say dandelions?) and in your yard, its not too late. Put down a weed killer and weed preventer. Call us. We will do it for you.

Just returned from a trip to the land of paved roads and sidewalks. I Visited relatives in the Phoenix area and I saw the coolest security wall. Driving by I noticed a business with a huge lot selling gigantic tractors and large equipment. Kinda hard to miss considering they were bright yellow and looming quite large, dwarfing the building. On closer inspection, I realized the drought tolerant landscape surrounding the business was serving double duty as a security wall. The landscape consisted of a wall of optunia cactus about 4 feet high and at least as wide.  I doubt anyone would attemp to cross  that fence. Cool.

Fall is a time of re-connecting with the earth and seeing a sense of balance come back to our lives.The landscape gets stripped down to the essentials while the plants prepare to sleep their renewing sleep. Digging in their roots a little deeper and farther, prepping for the coming year. The leaves drift downward and the wind swirls them into nooks and crannies here and there to decorate the winter with their subdued golds and reds. I love the colors of fall. So soothing…….If only the X#6@ leaves didn’t fall into my pond and clog up the pump!!

 

I was hoping we wouldnt have to cover the pond this year, but after the nth time cleaning the skimmer net today, I gave in and covered the darn thing. Now we will look at the canvas tarp covering the pond for a few weeks. ugh. I keep thinking I will take that tree down and every year, I let it go. not to mention the leaves clog up the channels in the roof and we have to clean them out before ( and during ) every rain. Glad I have a good rain jacket! but on the plus side, it IS invigorating going from the freezing rain to the toasty fireplace-warmed family room. I think people pay good money at health spas to do that. Hmmm and I get it for free!

 

There is nothing more beautiful and versatile than pavers for those areas you want to have vehicle or foot traffic on, but insist that it be long lasting as well as lovely. Pavers are the ultimate in durability, beauty and sustainability. Pavers are permeable so allow for rainfall to be  absorbed by the soil. Much better than running off concrete surfaces and contributing to erosion.Very green!

If you are looking to install an area with pavers, you should keep in mind that its a lot of work!  Here is a link to a great article in Wikipedia that will explain the process. http://www.wikihow.com/Install-Pavers . If you're not ready  to do all that work yourself, give us a call and we can do the work for you.