tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64899668903077786692024-03-12T17:27:51.219-07:00Crane Landscape Design BlogUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489966890307778669.post-40862061536259845632015-06-30T17:43:00.002-07:002015-06-30T17:43:37.046-07:00If your community is experiencing drought, you can use the information below in blogs, articles, or websites to educate your customers and provide tips for using less water. Include any additional facts, tips, restrictions, and resources your organization has available to help consumers curb their water use. You can also refer them to the WaterSense website or the U.S. Drought Monitor (www.drought.gov).<br />
<br />
When in Drought, Use WaterSense<br />
<br />
With the current drought conditions in our community, we need everyone to help conserve water where possible. In the midst of this serious water shortage, there are a number of things you can do to reduce stress on our local water supply without sacrificing your comfort, convenience, or curb appeal:<br />
• Follow the rules. Our community has put temporary water restrictions in place to save limited supplies for those who need it most, including firefighters, health care facilities, and electrical utilities. Please respect our request to use less water on your lawns, cars, and other outdoor uses during this water shortage [insert specific local watering times or requirements here as appropriate].<br />
• Consider an upgrade. If you're thinking about a bathroom update, now is the time to replace old plumbing fixtures with more efficient, high-performing models. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense® program labels toilets, faucets, and showerheads that have been independently certified to perform well and use less water than standard models. You could even save a little green on utilities!<br />
• Take a sprinkler break. Grass doesn’t have to be bright green year-round. It's natural for your landscape to turn a little brown at the tips during summer’s hottest months. You can cut back on watering without compromising the health of your lawn. And if you have an irrigation system with a clock timer, consider upgrading to a WaterSense labeled controller, which tells your system when and how much to water based on local weather and landscape conditions.<br />
<br />
For more information about how to save water during the drought, visit [insert url for your water conservation page]. Visit www.epa.gov/watersense to learn more about finding WaterSense labeled products and promoting water-smart landscapes.
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489966890307778669.post-30572180875255906682015-03-14T08:45:00.001-07:002015-03-14T08:45:40.141-07:00An expected high of 87 degrees today... It's only March!!!http://www.sanjoseca.gov/index.aspx?NID=4375Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489966890307778669.post-6137387704185255072014-02-28T12:58:00.000-08:002014-02-28T12:58:05.519-08:00<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TmmQN05bzzo/UxD3yf91KeI/AAAAAAAAAI0/rDlcoxpI2gU/s1600/CADrought_Comparison_LakeFolsom.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TmmQN05bzzo/UxD3yf91KeI/AAAAAAAAAI0/rDlcoxpI2gU/s400/CADrought_Comparison_LakeFolsom.png" />Photo: California DWR</a><br />
<br />
Despite a good amount of rainfall the last few days, we're still in a
significant drought, with our drought rating listed as EXCEPTIONAL on
the USDA Drought Index (http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/). That's like a
DEFCON 1 rating, the highest possible- the maximum level on the scale
!!!<br />
<br />
Landscapes make up an estimated 70% of a homes water using during the
summer months, and summer is just around the corner. So we'll soon be
entering the summer months, and we're already facing maximum drought
conditions. Aren't you alarmed yet?!<br />
<br />
As drought becomes increasingly more common throughout the world, the
investment in smart water systems is on the rise. Does your landscape
irrigation system respond to daily weather factors in order to fine-tune
water use and minimize the need for supplemental irrigation? If not,
it's time to invest in some SMART IRRIGATION. Ask me how.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489966890307778669.post-49526935193876230062013-12-29T11:10:00.001-08:002013-12-29T11:12:54.951-08:00Landscapes Require Less Water Than You May Think<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/UU_d24bTINo" width="480"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489966890307778669.post-76581458166604783572013-04-20T12:37:00.001-07:002013-04-20T12:37:31.807-07:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b51AVZyJ5P4/UXLuYRCfWeI/AAAAAAAAAHA/pLeikbhaPjM/s1600/Picture+7.png" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b51AVZyJ5P4/UXLuYRCfWeI/AAAAAAAAAHA/pLeikbhaPjM/s320/Picture+7.png" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489966890307778669.post-69288372963432392502013-02-26T20:28:00.000-08:002013-02-26T20:28:32.366-08:00The Importance of an Urabn Forest.. Arbor Day is now a full WEEK!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QRPc5UMf_yo/US2KlFvW4cI/AAAAAAAAAGw/FYMJraKbWXI/s1600/web-banner.png" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QRPc5UMf_yo/US2KlFvW4cI/AAAAAAAAAGw/FYMJraKbWXI/s320/web-banner.png" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489966890307778669.post-49997813247806435932012-03-11T13:10:00.000-07:002012-03-11T13:11:40.438-07:00It's Groundwater Awareness Week, March 11-17<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/EDExc7VyvdU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489966890307778669.post-53334144759262607912011-10-12T12:09:00.000-07:002011-10-12T12:10:19.795-07:00Benefits of an Urban Forest<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/29608137?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/29608137">Urban Forests = Cleaner, Cooler Air</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/landscapearchitects">ASLA</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489966890307778669.post-163773707576313632011-07-01T12:50:00.000-07:002011-07-01T12:53:53.946-07:00July 1st marks Smart Irrigation Month - Water Wisely<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8L92VKE3-xg/Tg4lbeDmb8I/AAAAAAAAAGo/bNPWSHJcoE8/s1600/SIM-Logo-Color.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 91px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8L92VKE3-xg/Tg4lbeDmb8I/AAAAAAAAAGo/bNPWSHJcoE8/s200/SIM-Logo-Color.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624474138487189442" /></a><br />Today’s irrigation systems include sophisticated controllers that allow you to easily adjust <br />watering schedules to fit different needs. <br />• Get in the zone. Schedule each individual zone in your irrigation system to account for type <br />of sprinkler, sun or shade exposure, and soil in that section. Different zones will almost <br />always need different watering schedules. <br />• Consider soil type. Type of soil determines how quickly water can be absorbed without <br />runoff. Watering more than soil can absorb causes runoff and waste. <br />• Don’t send water down the drain. Set sprinklers to water plants, not your driveway, <br />sidewalk, patio or buildings. <br />• Water only when needed. Saturate root zones and let the soil dry. Watering too much and <br />too frequently results in shallow roots, weed growth, disease and fungus. <br />• Water at the best time. Watering during the heat of the day may cause losses of up to 30 <br />percent due to evaporation. Prevent water loss by watering when the sun is low or down, <br />winds are calm and temperatures are cool — typically between the evening and early <br />morning. <br />• Water more often for shorter periods. For example, setting your system to run for three, <br />5-minute intervals lets soil absorb more water than watering for 15 minutes at one time, <br />reducing runoff. <br />• Adapt watering to the season. Familiarize yourself with the settings on your irrigation <br />controller and adjust the watering schedule regularly based on seasonal weather conditions. <br />Or invest in a smart controller so your system can make these changes automatically. <br /><br />Smart Irrigation Month is an initiative of the Irrigation Association, a non-profit industry <br />organization dedicated to promoting efficient irrigation. Learn more at <br />www.smartirrigationmonth.org.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489966890307778669.post-28248953232607583232011-04-03T13:41:00.000-07:002011-04-03T13:46:26.684-07:00Trees Can Positively Impact Your Home's Energy Efficiency<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/21040965" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/21040965">Energy Efficient Home Landscapes</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user996753">ASLA</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489966890307778669.post-85488164356249579562011-02-03T12:41:00.000-08:002011-02-03T13:00:37.091-08:00Lawn Be Gone ProgramFor quite some time now, water agencies have offered rebate incentives for converting those high water using lawns to drought tolerant plantings. Watching grass grow is like watching paint dry, not too exciting. So not only does the conversion save a bunch of water (which equals water bill reductions), but you will get far more enjoyment from the color, contrast, and texture of plantings, in addition to the wildlife it attracts.<br /><br />For more information, please see the links below:<br /><br />For Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency (basically north of Palo Alto/Fremont)<br />http://bawsca.org/water-conservation/residential-water-conservation-programs/lawn-be-gone/<br /><br />For Santa Clara County Water District (San Jose and surrounding areas)<br />http://www.valleywater.org/Programs/LandscapeReplacementRebates.aspx<br /><br />With several lawn conversions under my belt, please let me know if you have additional questions I can answer....spring is coming!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489966890307778669.post-88992460570526458462010-07-07T10:21:00.000-07:002010-07-07T10:32:55.866-07:00July is Smart Irrigation Month<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AXYiBjwVwzw/TDS5k8x5goI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/TGOhBv9zF5s/s1600/1084509226_9e1655d800.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 148px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AXYiBjwVwzw/TDS5k8x5goI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/TGOhBv9zF5s/s200/1084509226_9e1655d800.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491217890113323650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">
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mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">Landscapes require the largest amounts of water in July making July Smart Irrigation month. A plants water-loss through evapotranspiration, the combination of evaporation and transpiration into the air, is highest this month. If you have an irrigation controller with a seasonal adjustment that allows flexibility to change the watering durations to meet the seasonal water needs of the landscape, it can now be set to 100% ET. <span style=""> </span>Supplemental water deliverance being the highest this month also means that if an irrigation system has efficiency issues, it will also waste high amounts of water. So here are some Smart water savings tips and items to check in your irrigation system to minimize potential water-loss.</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Water early in the morning, never in the middle of the day or early evening, and not when it’s windy</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Schedule individual zones in your system to meet the needs of the specific plant material in that zone. Established shrubs, for instance, require nowhere near the water a thirsty lawn does. And hydrozone, keeping plants with similar water needs together</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Lawn sprinklers need almost constant adjustment.<span style=""> </span>Fine-tune them to minimize watering the pavement.</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Check for leaks, clogs, and sprinklers blocked by growing plant material</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->“Drip Happens” … drip irrigation is more than 2x more efficient than spray so convert wherever possible</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Allow some dry-out days between waterings. Overwatered soils can lead to several issues, even plant death</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Get a weather sensitive Smart Controller</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style=""><span style="">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="">Save water and money by getting an irrigation system audit!</b> I have appointment times available.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">An estimated 50%-70% of a properties monthly water usage is outdoors. By keeping up on the irrigation system, it can save a lot of water and money. If you have any questions or comments about what you’ve read, please let me know.</p> <!--EndFragment-->
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mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--><!--EndFragment--> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489966890307778669.post-88538104897049807372010-03-11T11:08:00.000-08:002010-03-11T11:22:22.205-08:00Arbor Day….let's get out and plant something!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AXYiBjwVwzw/S5lCRpqMQuI/AAAAAAAAAEs/G9DvydoHY8M/s1600-h/DSCN7855.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AXYiBjwVwzw/S5lCRpqMQuI/AAAAAAAAAEs/G9DvydoHY8M/s320/DSCN7855.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447458095289352930" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Arbor Day has been celebrated since 1872. In California, Arbor Day is more like a week, running March 7-14, and if you are planning to plant a tree(s) this year it is important to make the proper tree selection for the area you have chosen. I know you have seen those lifting sidewalks being ramped by the root structure of a tree, or even a lifted street gutter. I’m sure you have also noticed oddly shaped or even topped trees under power lines, where, a better tree selection would have been a shorter grower. Perhaps you have experienced having to cut tree branches away from your home because the tree was just planted too close. Placing the right tree, in the right place is as important as planting the tree itself.<br /></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">A few benefits of properly located trees are: </span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family:arial;">wildlife habitat </span><span style="font-family:arial;">• home energy savings • clean air</span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-family:arial;">natural growth pattern • increased property value </span><span style="font-family:arial;">• erosion control </span></li><li><span style="font-family:arial;">beauty</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> ...and the list goes on.</span><br /></li></ul><span style="font-family:arial;">Here are some additional resources on tree selection and placement:</span> <a href="http://www.arborday.org/trees/righttreeandplace/righttree.cfm"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://www.arborday.org/trees/righttreeandplace/righttree.cfm</span></a> <a href="http://pge.com/myhome/edusafety/diggingyard/planttrees/index.shtml"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://pge.com/myhome/edusafety/diggingyard/planttrees/index.shtml</span></a> <a href="http://www.canopy.org/forestbenefits.html"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://www.canopy.org/forestbenefits.html</span></a><br /><a href="http://ourcityforest.org/"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://ourcityforest.org/</span></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489966890307778669.post-32199627395910170662010-03-09T09:10:00.000-08:002010-03-09T09:13:35.495-08:00Irrigation Control Settings for March<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AXYiBjwVwzw/S5aBouCZhXI/AAAAAAAAAD8/0KCnCwCrhUM/s1600-h/Web-Consumer-Basics3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 203px; height: 220px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AXYiBjwVwzw/S5aBouCZhXI/AAAAAAAAAD8/0KCnCwCrhUM/s320/Web-Consumer-Basics3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446683335904036210" /></a><br />March is here and so is the potential need for supplemental irrigation. Your irrigation controller should be set to deliver only 5% of what it would in July. However, with the consistent soaking rainfall we've been experiencing in the bay area, the need to flip the switch to ON or RUN could certainly be delayed. My controller has been off since early November and not going back on until a more significant dry period, maybe, 1 1/2 - 2 weeks...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489966890307778669.post-47068839677255728022009-12-06T21:47:00.000-08:002009-12-06T21:56:06.065-08:00Mobile Veggie Garden....?Saw this on Treehugger, and though a little silly, might be good for the snacker on the go... <br /><br />UrbanBuds: Mobile Suitcase Garden For The City Dweller<br />In tightly packed urban settings, finding places to produce fresh food in close quarters can be quite frustrating for the conscientious urban dweller. Even more frustrating is wondering how to move one's carefully-planted balcony or window garden once moving day comes. Eindhoven, Netherlands-based Italian designer Gionatta Gionno proposes a clever package, however: UrbanBuds is a mobile garden in the form of a suitcase filled with soil, designed to grow thirty-six different types of edible plants in all types of spaces. It's a simple idea, yet invokes more meaning than a bag of soil on wheels.<br /><br /> 'UrbanBuds' uses the concept of food as a sign of cultural identity... The design of the project involves the metaphor of a suitcase as a symbol of cultural background. We all are used to saying that wherever we move we bring with us our backpack of culture, background, our bag of experiences. The design takes influence from this picture and it transforms the products in movable suitcases, filled up with soil. Families can grow vegetables and fruit on each side of the bags: each one of them allows growing about thirty-six different plants, which can grow vertically along the fabric.<br /><br />It's a neat idea, and with modern lifestyles becoming more and more mobile, why shouldn't our food too?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489966890307778669.post-87171112580504280252009-10-13T13:02:00.000-07:002009-10-13T13:04:10.553-07:00Is your Swimming Pool Water Rising?It's raining, it's pouring...And according to the meteorologists' the Bay Area will have received as much as 8" of rain in some locations after this storm system is done. So, what about all those swimming pools? Due to the environmental implications from releasing pool water into our storm drains, it is illegal for pool professionals to do so. To my knowledge, this law has not yet caught up with homeowners, yet.<br />As a Green Building Professional and my attempt to be an all around environmentally conscious person, my design methodology strives to reduce impact to the environment. So for the pool owners out there, I wanted to provide you with some information on what to do with that overflowing pool as an educational tool towards environmental stewardship. Clean-outs on the house are often an access point for the freeing the clogged pipes when the drain backs up. These are also access points to disposing of the chemically treated pool water. Visit San Jose's Environmental Services page on the subject for additional information.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.sanjoseca.gov/esd/storwater/poolwater.asp">http://www.sanjoseca.gov/esd/stormwater/poolwater.asp</a><br /><br /><br />An important fact to remember is that the storm drains read 'No Dumping, Flows to Bay' because whatever enters the drain reaches the bay untreated!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489966890307778669.post-60790777769867718482009-10-11T08:54:00.001-07:002009-10-11T09:38:18.671-07:00First Flush......Time For Action!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AXYiBjwVwzw/StIBsYRuOcI/AAAAAAAAADo/jHESgl1DkWc/s1600-h/rain.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AXYiBjwVwzw/StIBsYRuOcI/AAAAAAAAADo/jHESgl1DkWc/s320/rain.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391373565858560450" /></a><br />In a couple days the Bay Area is scheduled to see a significant amount of much needed rainfall. I for one will have a few containers out for rainwater collection as, many of my plants, orchids in particular, seem to prefer pure rainwater instead of city water. But my first course of action will be to take care of a few simple tasks before the rains come.<br />First flush is the term given to stormwater from the first rain that dislodges pollutants from the ground surface i.e. driveways, sidewalks, roads, etc. This stormwater typically carries with it a higher initial contaminant load and is a major source to the pollutants in our creeks, rivers, bays and oceans. There are ways to minimize the pollutant levels ordinarily found in a first flush event and strategies to control the stormwater runoff in order to reduce the effects on the environment.<br />There are steps you can do at home to minimize pollutant levels. Analyze the area and judge what possible effect rainfall will have on that area. If your are still using chemical fertilizers, sweep up any granules from the impervious driveway and sidewalk to minimize the opportunity that it gets washed down the stormdrain. Oil spots in your driveway, parking stall or street in front of your house should be soaked up with kitty litter and disposed of properly. It may be necessary to sweep the street gutter free of debris, leaves or soils. Anything you may think of that does not belong in our watershed, find a way of preventing it from going there.<br />Controlling stormwater runoff can be a more difficult and in-depth solution requiring planning and technical knowledge. Collection, treatment, and discharge systems can be part of the solution to handling stormwater runoff. My preference is to work with nature and create vegetative bioswales to collect, treat and discharge stormwater. The swales are both an eye pleasing landscaped solution and functional in stormwater runoff mitigation. I enjoy designing them for parkways in place of the useless lawn between the street and sidewalk.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489966890307778669.post-51972171766291885202009-09-29T10:04:00.000-07:002009-09-29T10:13:33.556-07:00Rainwater Harvesting Workshop<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AXYiBjwVwzw/SsI_9u2mv7I/AAAAAAAAADY/ukiuyYyKzJk/s1600-h/CLCA_Rainwater_Harvesting_Flyer9_9_09.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 247px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AXYiBjwVwzw/SsI_9u2mv7I/AAAAAAAAADY/ukiuyYyKzJk/s320/CLCA_Rainwater_Harvesting_Flyer9_9_09.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386938434070167474" /></a><br />The California Landscape Contractors Association: San Francisco Bay Area Education Committee presents our next informative workshop, <span style="font-style: italic;">Rainwater Harvesting for the Landscape Professional</span>.<br /><br />The residences of California use 5.6 million acre-feet of applied water annually and the growing population puts further strain on this limited resource. With the Bay Area now in its third drought year, we are finding ourselves having to do more with less. With landscape being the larger contributor to the strain on our water supplies, there is an increased need to incorporate water conservation strategies including; lawn reduction / removal, drought tolerant plantings, high efficiency irrigation systems, and rainwater catchment systems otherwise known as rainwater harvesting.<br />Some benefits of rainwater harvesting include having a reliable water source, the ability to store water for emergency purposes, on-site stormwater retention, and recharging of our aquifers. Additionally, with water rates on the rise, rainwater harvesting offers the opportunity to offset those rising water bills.<br />Given the increased demand, this rainwater harvesting event is expected to fill quickly so make your reservations now. The workshop will be an invaluable resource!<br />The event is set for Friday November 6, 2009 at Foothill College in Los Altos.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489966890307778669.post-65983574682876698632009-09-17T14:39:00.000-07:002009-09-24T12:10:11.180-07:00Your Landscapes Water Needs By MonthAs temperature, humidity, and solar orientation change from month to month throughout the year, so do the needs of your landscape. It is my experience that the general population makes only two adjustments to the timers that control the amount of water the landscape receives. On and off. It is estimated more than 50% of landscape water is wasted by wind drift, evaporation and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">overwatering</span></span></span>.<br />If you have an irrigation controller with a 'Seasonal Adjust' feature, this chart can help guide you towards performing the proper adjustments to conserve water. Note that July is the basis with watering times at 100%. Being this is September, your irrigation controller should only be about 60%. When the time comes for the controller to be set lower than 50%, my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">recommendation</span> is to actually increase the duration at that point and reduce the days watered. The roots appreciate a deeper watering so watering deeper with less frequency is advantageous to the flora instead of small, shallow watering.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AXYiBjwVwzw/SrK0oOulmyI/AAAAAAAAADI/Y_beS6lhQDU/s1600-h/9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 62px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AXYiBjwVwzw/SrK0oOulmyI/AAAAAAAAADI/Y_beS6lhQDU/s400/9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382563107902429986" border="0" /></a><br />Wind drift is a term to describe <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">overspray</span></span></span> due to breezy/windy conditions. Many irrigation valves have an adjustment screw on them for flow control. Typically I find that new controllers are in the 'wide open' position. Most sprinklers, however, mist <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">heavily</span> when receiving that much pressure so dial it down to reduce evaporation, but make sure you still get adequate coverage. Adjusting the direction the sprinkler heads are aimed so that you are not watering your patio, driveway or sidewalk is helpful too. Changing the sprinklers themselves to a more efficient style like MP Rotators can help <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">dramatically</span>.<br />The time of day the irrigation controller comes on is important as well. The middle of day is the warmest so watering during that time only leads to increased evaporation. A large part of the water is lost. 40-50% of it I read in one article. Watering at night is better but often the ground is still warm leading to higher evaporation again. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Additionally</span>, many bad bacterias and molds like warm, moist conditions so start growing. These can harm your plants and grasses. My <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">recommendation</span> is <span style="font-weight: bold;">early morning <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">waterings</span></span></span>, before the sun comes up. Between the hours of 4am and 6pm, the sun is not quite awake yet giving an opportunity for the ground to take in the water.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489966890307778669.post-36314938898271159202009-09-04T11:30:00.000-07:002009-09-04T11:44:25.057-07:00Decline of the Honey Bee<p>The reality of the important role the honey bee plays in our survival is delivered in the popular kids flick, <span style="font-style: italic;">Bee Movie</span>. It is not just that the writer is telling a story but, as in many movies, there is a message being delivered. The problem is so severe in London that residents are encouraged to become bee keepers! Following is a portion of an interesting article I came across.</p><span style="font-style: italic;">Bee populations are changing.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">It's thought that there used to be 25 species of bumblebee in the UK, but now three are known to be extinct (Bombus cullumanus, B. pomorum and B. subterraneus).</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Seven more species are listed on the Biodiversity Action Plan list as being in danger.</span><br /><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/46006000/jpg/_46006586_dsc_0042.jpg" alt="Honeybees" border="0" height="170" hspace="0" vspace="0" width="226" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;" class="cap">Honeybee numbers in the UK have fallen by up to 30% since 2007.</div> </div><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The 70% fall in Bumblebee numbers since the 1970s is largely attributed to the growth of industrial agricultural practices resulting in monocultures of crops, without suitable wildflower habitats for bees, and many other insects, to live on.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">But some farmers are helping wildlife on their land and an increasing number of food products are now made from crops grown in a way that protects the countryside and provides food for bees.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Sadly, original wild honeybees (Apis mellifera mellifera) are now thought to be extinct in Britain, but literally millions of domestic strain honeybees are managed by beekeepers each year, which are familiar to all of us buzzing about parks and gardens.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Honeybees in Britain, however, are having a tough time and are increasingly affected by a range of problems including foulbrood; varroa mite; viral diseases and dysfunctional immune systems.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Colony collapse disorder, although widespread globally, does not yet seem to have arrived in the UK.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">But just like bumblebees, honeybees are also suffering from the loss of widespread and varied foraging habitats, especially in the countryside.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The value of bees through pollination of crops is thought to be in the region of £1 billion a year and 35% of our own food crops are estimated to be directly dependent on honeybee pollination.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Bumblebees pollinate crops too, especially fruit like tomatoes and apples as well as other crops including oilseed rape and beans.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Some farmers even keep bumblebees in their greenhouses to pollinate crops that are grown all year round, and import southern European bumblebees raised in countries such as Slovakia and Holland.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The concern of conservationists is that this could potentially introduce further pest and disease risk to native British bumblebees.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Evidence in the US shows wild bumblebee numbers have collapsed since the 1990s</span> - following the introduction of parasites carried by European species brought in to pollinate greenhouse crops such as tomatoes and peppers.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">As well as decreasing numbers, there are also changes being observed where bumblebees live and how they behave.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The buff-tailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) for example has recently been recorded in flight in December and January along the south coast as far east as Ramsgate, as far north as Leicestershire and even North Wales.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">This is really unusual, as typically only the queen bee overwinters in holes in the ground.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The suggestion is that global warming is affecting bee behaviour - which may, in turn, affect pollination, flowers, plant survival, fruit, crops and ultimately numerous species of wildlife...including us</span>. -BBC LondonUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489966890307778669.post-882067383233019972009-08-27T15:32:00.000-07:002009-08-31T16:58:08.667-07:00Creek Water Not Safe<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AXYiBjwVwzw/SpcMLAfGZ9I/AAAAAAAAACY/6ylMPNkvK1s/s1600-h/IMG_0198.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AXYiBjwVwzw/SpcMLAfGZ9I/AAAAAAAAACY/6ylMPNkvK1s/s320/IMG_0198.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374778063538513874" border="0" /></a><br />Yesterday I took my 2 1/2 year-old son and 4 1/2 year-old daughter to the park for a picnic and to play for a while. They were so excited to cross a bridge and see the trickle of water in the creek. Of course they wanted to play in the water....there kids! It is a park after all. I showed them the sign posted in a couple areas along the creek and told them simply that it said no playing in the water. The picture was enough for them, "but why" I thought to myself. Is this an issue of pollutants from our parking areas and streets entering our creeks and rivers through storm drains? Perhaps if that were the case the sign would urge caution due to "contaminated water" but it specifically reads" bacteria levels".<br />I called the number on the sign and will finish the post when I hear back......Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489966890307778669.post-58197591273149696972009-08-17T11:32:00.000-07:002009-08-20T13:54:27.512-07:00America and Our Lawns<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AXYiBjwVwzw/So232955CBI/AAAAAAAAACI/oUJha81oqFg/s1600-h/mowinglawn.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 166px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AXYiBjwVwzw/So232955CBI/AAAAAAAAACI/oUJha81oqFg/s200/mowinglawn.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372152085481064466" border="0" /></a><i>Green lawns are the staple of America's residential and commercial landscape. We spend $27 billion dollars a year - ten times more than we pay for text books to grow and maintain 20 million acres of grass. Forty million lawnmowers cause five percent of the nation's air pollution and at least thirty percent of our water is used to irrigate lawns, washing fertilizers and pesticides into rivers, lakes and streams.<br /><br />Now, corporations, universities, government offices and parks around the nation are looking at an alternative to Kentucky Blue Grass. They are going back to their roots to find native prairie and wetland plants.<br /><br />These grasses, flowers, forbs and sedges have adapted, over hundreds of years to our climate. They survived heat and drought, extreme cold and fire, their long roots tucked deep in the ground. They provide habitat for native birds and butterflies.<br />- United States EPA<br /></i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489966890307778669.post-70471733582142666332009-08-14T11:19:00.000-07:002009-08-14T15:02:50.147-07:00Proper Disposal of CFL Light Bulbs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AXYiBjwVwzw/SoWq6sK7jwI/AAAAAAAAABQ/uls9RuXYJrE/s1600-h/watershedwatch4x5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AXYiBjwVwzw/SoWq6sK7jwI/AAAAAAAAABQ/uls9RuXYJrE/s320/watershedwatch4x5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369886055975325442" border="0" /></a><br />PG&E and others like to promote the use of the CFL bulbs, and it is a great energy saver, but what really troubles me is that they do not put effort in educating the public that these bulbs must be disposed of differently than the light bulbs we are accustomed to using.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489966890307778669.post-82836933462826664242009-07-17T22:22:00.000-07:002009-07-17T22:52:57.565-07:00The Benefits of CompostMost folks are familiar with compost as a soil amendment for general landscaping purposes in planting beds and establishing new lawns. There are several other benefits and applications for compost and the use of compost continues to grow!<br /><br />Compost can be used as a mulch; a top dressing to blanket the layer of soil the plants rest their feet(roots) in. Utilized in this fashion, it suppresses weed growth, holds soil moisture, lowers soil temperature than without it, and improves the organic structure of the soil as the mulch breaks down. This supports an entire system of life typically referred to as the soil food web, but I digress, that is another post. Compost is instrumental in plant establishment when back-filled into the planting hole with the root ball of plant material. The roots of the plant have a softer and nutrient rich medium to begin their new development of growth. And by the way, without an adequate root structure, even the plants that require less water need a root system to support them first and foremost.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6489966890307778669.post-19025863252966543562009-07-17T17:49:00.000-07:002009-08-20T23:27:51.558-07:00Coffee Drinkers, Keep Those Grinds!Coffee grinds can be a great alternative to chemical fertilizers. Some of your local coffee houses even give their used grinds for free. That's an opportunity to prevent it from becoming an addition to your local landfill.....and it's free fertilizer!<br />For some reason, I am less than enthusiastic about eating food that chemicals were poured onto and apparently more and more people feel the same way as I notice an increase in the availability and selection of foods labeled with the word ORGANIC.<br />If you're already a composter, you probably already add coffee grinds as well as other fruit and vegetable waste to your compost bin (See the City of San Jose's site to get one for yourself <a href="http://www.sjrecycles.org/residents/home_compost.asp">http://www.sjrecycles.org/residents/home_compost.asp</a> or if you are not a San Jose resident, check with your city or county). As an alternative, that is to say if you don't have a bin, sprinkle the coffee grinds onto the soil around the plant so that it is within the plant's root zone. Although you could mix it into the soil, leaving it on the surface works just as well and saves you time. Either way as the grinds are slowly absorbed into the soil we waste less and nurture more.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0