#bay area drought tolerant landscapes

[ahu-gozlumm]

Natural Stone Pavers San Francisco Design ideas for a mid-sized asian drought-tolerant and full sun front yard stone landscaping in spring.

[michellepaulson]

A Guide to Landscaping in Rose Bay: Enhancing Your Outdoor Space

Landscaping in Rose Bay offers a unique opportunity to blend natural beauty with urban living, creating inviting outdoor spaces that complement the area's coastal charm. Located in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, Rose Bay's landscape is characterised by its proximity to the harbour, lush greenery, and a blend of residential and commercial areas. Whether you're looking to enhance your home's curb appeal or create a tranquil retreat, here's a comprehensive guide to landscaping in Rose Bay:

Embrace Coastal Elements

Rose Bay's coastal location influences its landscaping style. Incorporate coastal plants like banksias, grevilleas, and native grasses that thrive in sandy soils and salty air. These plants not only add aesthetic appeal but also require minimal maintenance, making them ideal for the local climate.

Sustainable Design Practices

Opt for sustainable landscaping practices that conserve water and reduce environmental impact. Consider installing rainwater tanks to capture runoff for irrigation, using permeable paving materials to minimise stormwater runoff, and choosing native plants that are drought-tolerant and attract local wildlife.

Create Outdoor Living Spaces

Maximise your outdoor space by creating functional areas for relaxation and entertainment. Designate cosy seating areas under shade trees or pergolas, install outdoor kitchens or BBQ areas for alfresco dining, and incorporate pathways that guide visitors through the garden while enhancing the flow of your landscape design.

Incorporate Indigenous Art and Culture

Celebrate Rose Bay's Aboriginal heritage by incorporating Indigenous art and cultural elements into your landscape design. Consider integrating traditional storytelling through art installations, using native bush foods in your garden, or incorporating natural materials like sandstone and timber in pathways or sculptures.

Enhance Privacy and Security

Incorporate landscaping elements that enhance privacy and security while maintaining aesthetic appeal. Utilise hedging plants, trellises with climbing plants, or decorative fencing to create boundaries and screening from neighbouring properties or busy streets.

Lighting for Ambiance and Safety

Enhance the beauty of your landscape design with strategic lighting that accentuates key features like trees, sculptures, or architectural elements. Additionally, prioritise safety by illuminating pathways, stairs, and entrances to ensure visibility during evening hours.

Seasonal Maintenance Plan

Develop a seasonal maintenance plan to ensure your landscape remains vibrant year-round. Schedule regular pruning, mulching, and fertilising to promote plant health and growth. Consider hiring local landscapers familiar with Rose Bay's climate and soil conditions for expert maintenance assistance.

Complement Architectural Style

Harmonise your landscaping with the architectural style of your home and surrounding buildings in Rose Bay. Choose materials, colours, and plantings that complement the existing structures while enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of your property.

Water Features and Wildlife Habitats

Integrate water features such as ponds, fountains, or bird baths to attract local wildlife and create a serene atmosphere in your garden. Incorporate aquatic plants and rocks to mimic natural habitats while providing a source of relaxation and contemplation.

By following these tips and incorporating local elements, you can create a stunning landscape in Rose Bay that not only enhances your property's value and appeal but also harmonises with its natural surroundings. Whether you're aiming for a serene retreat or an inviting entertainment space, thoughtful landscaping can transform your outdoor area into a true haven by the harbour.

[chameleoncommercial]

What Should a Typical Gardening Service Include?

Your ideal garden is only a service away—it's not just a wish! Professional landscape companies are here to turn your dream garden into a reality. However, with so many gardening businesses available, what can you really anticipate? How do you know what they offer so you can hire them for your yard?

The following list of standard services will help you choose the ideal landscaper in Wollongong for your outdoor retreat:

Building Landscape 

This is more than just flower planting. It's about building your garden's framework. Consider constructing retaining walls, establishing patios or pathways, levelling uneven terrain, and devising drainage solutions. Landscape construction essentially creates the backdrop for your blossoming haven.

Garden Designing 

Not everyone is naturally talented in design. Services for landscape design can help with this. Experts will measure your available area, the amount of sunlight, and your tastes to design a scheme that suits you. They could recommend different plant species and hardscaping features and even add features like fire pits or water gardens.

Garden Upkeep 

Constant maintenance is necessary to keep your landscape looking its best. Typical garden maintenance services involve weeding, pruning, trimming shrubs and hedges, fertilising the area, and keeping an eye out for pests and illnesses. Additionally, some businesses might provide seasonal clean-up services, such as fall leaf removal or winter garden preparation.

Low-Maintenance Landscape Designs

A lovely garden doesn't have to be sacrificed for busy lives. Numerous businesses specialise in low-maintenance designs. They use mulch to keep weeds at bay, add drought-tolerant plants, and recommend low-maintenance hardscaping features.

Recognising the Surroundings

A responsible gardening service should prioritise environmental sustainability. They will know about native plants that attract pollinators, recommend water-efficient irrigation systems, and even offer composting tips to reduce waste.

As a part of beautiful and practical gardening in Wollongong, certain businesses also provide extra services, such as:

Garden lighting: Carefully position outdoor lights to create a mystical atmosphere.

Installation of irrigation systems: Make sure your plants get the proper amount of water effectively.

Vertical gardening: Use your imagination to make the most of the space on balconies or little gardens.

By being aware of the standard services provided by gardening firms, you can visualise your ideal garden and identify the ideal expert to make it a reality. Together, let's create a flourishing outdoor area that captures your essence and will make you happy for years to come!

[bayareahomermodelers]

Energy-Efficient Home Remodels: Bay Area Remodelers on Going Green

In today's world, sustainability is more than just a buzzword—it's a lifestyle choice that's shaping the way we live, work, and interact with our environment. For homeowners in the Bay Area, this shift towards a greener future often begins at home. With the help of Bay Area home remodelers, many are transforming their living spaces into energy-efficient sanctuaries that not only reduce their carbon footprint while also providing long-term savings on utility bills. Here's how Bay Area remodelers are leading the charge in eco-friendly home renovations.

The Green Remodeling Movement

The green remodeling movement is gaining momentum across the United States, and the Bay Area is no exception. Homeowners are growing increasingly aware of the environmental consequences of their choices and are actively seeking ways to make their homes more sustainable. This movement is about more than just installing solar panels; it encompasses a wide range of practices and technologies designed to improve energy efficiency, water conservation, and indoor air quality.

Energy-Efficient Upgrades

One of the most significant aspects of green remodeling is the focus on energy efficiency. Bay Area home remodelers are well-versed in the latest technologies and materials that can dramatically reduce a home's energy consumption. Some of the most popular energy-efficient upgrades include:

Insulation and Sealing: Adequate insulation is essential for sustaining a comfortable indoor temperature and minimizing energy consumption. Remodelers are using advanced insulation materials that provide better thermal performance. Additionally, sealing gaps and cracks in the home prevents heat loss in the winter and keeps cool air inside during the summer.

Energy-Efficient Windows and Doors: Upgrading outdated, drafty windows and doors to energy-efficient models can greatly lower heating and cooling expenses. These advanced products are engineered to reduce heat transfer, maintaining warmer indoor temperatures during winter and cooler ones in summer.

Efficient Heating and Cooling Systems: Modern HVAC systems are far more efficient than their older counterparts. Bay Area home remodelers often recommend upgrading to high-efficiency furnaces, air conditioners, and heat pumps to save energy and improve indoor comfort.

Solar Panels and Renewable Energy Systems: The Bay Area's abundant sunshine makes it an ideal location for solar energy. Installing solar panels can greatly reduce a home's reliance on fossil fuels and lower electricity bills. Some remodelers also offer solutions for integrating other renewable energy systems, such as wind turbines and geothermal heating.

Water Conservation

Water is a precious resource, especially in California, where droughts are a recurring challenge. Bay Area home remodelers are incorporating water-saving features into their projects to help homeowners reduce their water usage. Some common water conservation strategies include:

Low-Flow Fixtures: Installing low-flow faucets, showerheads, and toilets can greatly reduce water usage without compromising performance.

Rainwater Harvesting Systems: These systems gather and store rainwater for irrigation purposes, thereby decreasing reliance on municipal water supplies.

Drought-Tolerant Landscaping: Also known as xeriscaping, this approach involves using native plants and other drought-resistant vegetation to create beautiful, low-maintenance landscapes that require minimal watering.

Sustainable Building Materials

Using sustainable building materials is another key component of green remodeling. Bay Area home remodelers are increasingly opting for eco-friendly products that have a reduced environmental impact. These materials include:

Reclaimed Wood: Salvaging wood from old buildings and repurposing it for new projects reduces the demand for virgin timber and adds character to the home.

Recycled Content Products: Many building materials, such as insulation, drywall, and flooring, are now available with recycled content, reducing waste and conserving resources.

Low-VOC Paints and Finishes: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in traditional paints and finishes can contribute to indoor air pollution. Low-VOC alternatives are healthier for both the environment and the home's occupants.

Benefits of Going Green

The benefits of energy-efficient home remodels extend beyond environmental stewardship. Homeowners who invest in green renovations often enjoy:

Lower Utility Bills: Energy-efficient upgrades can significantly reduce heating, cooling, and electricity costs.

Increased Home Value: Homes with green features often appeal more to buyers and can fetch higher prices on the market.

Improved Indoor Air Quality: Eco-friendly materials and better ventilation systems contribute to a healthier living environment.

Enhanced Comfort: Energy-efficient homes maintain more consistent temperatures and have fewer drafts, making them more comfortable to live in.

Choosing the Right Remodeler

When embarking on an energy-efficient home remodel, it's crucial to choose the right partner. Bay Area home remodelers with experience in green building practices can guide homeowners through the process, ensuring that the project meets both their sustainability goals and budget constraints. Look for remodelers who are certified by reputable organizations, such as the U.S. Green Building Council or the National Association of Home Builders, and who have a portfolio of successful green projects.

Conclusion

Energy-efficient home remodels are an excellent way to reduce your environmental impact, save money, and create a healthier living space. Bay Area home remodelers are at the forefront of this movement, offering innovative solutions and expert guidance to help homeowners go green. By embracing sustainability in your remodeling project, you can contribute to a brighter, more sustainable future for the Bay Area and beyond.

[yumitsukiyoru]

Title: Low Maintenance Landscaping: Creating a Beautiful Garden with Minimal Effort

Subheading: Transforming Your Garden Into a Self-Sustaining Oasis

What homeowner wouldn’t want a lush and colorful garden just outside the window? But while a garden definitely boosts your home’s curb appeal, it also claims a lot of your free time. There’s no such thing as a maintenance-free garden, but choosing smarter plantings does cut down on the amount of pruning and watering required.

So, the next time you plant, try some of these lovely options that take care of themselves. Then get ready to enjoy your new low maintenance landscaping—from the comfort of your porch swing.

Subheader: Drought-Tolerant Plants: The Key to a Low Maintenance Garden

When it comes to low maintenance landscaping, choosing drought-tolerant plants is essential. These plants have adapted to survive in arid conditions, meaning they require less water and attention. Succulents, such as agave and aloe vera, are excellent choices as they store water in their leaves and require minimal watering.

Additionally, lavender and yarrow are beautiful flowering plants that can thrive in dry climates.

Another option is to incorporate native plants into your garden. Native plants are well-suited to the local climate and soil conditions, making them naturally low maintenance. By planting species that are native to your area, you can create a self-sustaining ecosystem that requires minimal intervention.

Subheader: Perennials: A Long-Term Solution for Minimal Effort

Perennials are a gardener’s best friend when it comes to low maintenance landscaping. Unlike annuals, which need to be replanted each year, perennials come back year after year, reducing the amount of time and effort required for maintenance. Some popular options include daylilies, hostas, and coneflowers, which not only require little care but also provide vibrant and long-lasting blooms.

When selecting perennials, it’s important to choose varieties that are well-suited to your climate and soil conditions. By selecting plants that are adapted to your specific environment, you can ensure they thrive with minimal intervention.

Subheader: Ground Covers: The Secret to Weed Control

One of the biggest challenges in maintaining a garden is keeping weeds at bay. However, by incorporating ground covers into your landscape design, you can minimize weed growth and reduce the need for constant weeding. Ground covers, such as creeping thyme or vinca minor, spread quickly and form a dense mat that prevents weeds from taking root.

In addition to weed control, ground covers also help retain moisture in the soil, reducing the need for frequent watering. They can also provide a lush and uniform appearance to your garden, creating a visually appealing landscape with minimal effort.

Subheader: Mulch: A Time-Saving Solution for Garden Beds

Applying mulch to your garden beds is a simple yet effective way to reduce maintenance. Mulch helps retain moisture in the soil, preventing it from drying out quickly and reducing the need for frequent watering. It also acts as a natural weed barrier, suppressing weed growth and minimizing the time spent on weeding.

Furthermore, mulch adds a polished and finished look to your garden beds, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal. Organic mulch, such as wood chips or bark, also breaks down over time, enriching the soil and providing nutrients to your plants.

Subheader: Smart Irrigation: Efficient Watering for a Low Maintenance Garden

Watering is an essential aspect of garden maintenance, but it can be time-consuming and wasteful if not done efficiently. Implementing smart irrigation systems, such as drip irrigation or timed sprinklers, can help minimize water usage and ensure plants receive the right amount of water.

Drip irrigation delivers water directly to the roots of plants, reducing evaporation and water waste. Timed sprinklers allow you to schedule watering sessions, ensuring plants receive consistent moisture without overwatering. By using these smart irrigation techniques, you can save time and resources while maintaining a healthy and thriving garden.

Creating a low maintenance garden doesn't mean sacrificing beauty or curb appeal. By choosing the right plants, incorporating ground covers, applying mulch, and implementing smart irrigation techniques, you can create a self-sustaining oasis that requires minimal effort to maintain. So, the next time you're planning your garden, consider these low maintenance landscaping options and get ready to enjoy a beautiful garden with more time to relax and unwind.

[greenerlawn]

The Legendary Sir Walter Turf Sydney: Unveiling The Secrets To A Perfect Lawn

Welcome to the world of lush green lawns and picture-perfect landscapes! If you’re a proud homeowner or an avid gardening enthusiast in Sydney, then you’ve probably heard about the legendary Sir Walter Turf. Renowned for its beauty, durability, and low-maintenance nature, Sir Walter Turf has become the go-to choice for many homeowners across the city. But have you ever wondered about the secrets behind this turf’s success? In this blog post, we will delve into the fascinating history and evolution of Sir Walter Turf Sydney and explore why it’s truly a cut above the rest when it comes to creating your dream lawn. So get ready to uncover all there is to know about this iconic turf variety!

The History and Evolution of Sir Walter Turf

Sir Walter Turf Sydney has a fascinating history that dates back several decades. It all began with the vision of Brent Redman, who wanted to create a grass variety that would thrive in the harsh Australian climate. After years of experimentation and research, he finally succeeded in developing what is now known as Sir Walter Turf.

This high-quality turf quickly gained popularity among homeowners and landscapers due to its exceptional durability, low maintenance requirements, and lush appearance. It was specifically bred to withstand Australia’s extreme weather conditions, including droughts and heatwaves.

Over time, Sir Walter Turf has continued to evolve and improve. Today, it is considered one of the best lawn varieties available in Sydney. Its ability to self-repair makes it resilient against wear and tear caused by pets or children playing on the lawn.

Moreover, Sir Walter Turf requires minimal watering compared to other grass types thanks to its deep root system that allows it to access water stored more profound in the soil.

Each year, more advancements are made in cultivating this remarkable turf variety. Growers continually refine their techniques for producing healthy Sir Walter lawns that homeowners throughout Sydney can enjoy.

In conclusion, the history and evolution of Sir Walter Turf Sydney is a testament to human ingenuity and our desire for beautiful outdoor spaces that can thrive even under challenging circumstances. Choosing this iconic turf variety ensures a stunning lawn and peace of mind knowing you have selected a hardy option designed specifically for Australian conditions.

Benefits of Choosing Sir Walter Turf for Your Lawn

After delving into the history and evolution of Sir Walter Turf Sydney, it’s time to uncover the numerous benefits that come with choosing this legendary turf for your lawn. Whether you’re a proud homeowner or a meticulous landscaper, Sir Walter Turf offers unmatched advantages that leave your lawn looking lush, green, and envy-inducing.

1. Low Maintenance: One of the standout features of Sir Walter Turf is its low maintenance requirements. Unlike other grass varieties that demand constant mowing and watering, Sir Walter only needs minimal care to thrive. Its self-repairing nature means you can say goodbye to unsightly bald patches on your lawn.

2. Drought Tolerance: In a climate where water conservation is essential, opting for drought-tolerant turf like Sir Walter is wise. This resilient grass has been specifically bred to withstand dry conditions without sacrificing its vibrant color or overall health. With less need for watering during hot summers or water restrictions, you’ll save both money and precious resources.

3. Shade Tolerance: Does your garden have areas with limited sunlight? No problem! Sir Walter Turf excels in shady environments where other types struggle to survive. Its ability to thrive in partial shade ensures consistent growth throughout your yard, regardless of sun exposure.

4. Pest and Disease Resistance: Keeping pests at bay can be an ongoing battle when maintaining a healthy lawn – but not with Sir Walter! This robust turf variety possesses natural pest resistance properties that make it unattractive to common insects like armyworms and grubs. Additionally, it boasts excellent disease resistance which minimizes the risk of fungal infections and saves you from spending countless hours applying fungicides.

5. Soft Underfoot Feel: There’s nothing quite like walking barefoot on soft grass on warm summer days – and with Sir Walter Turf Sydney as your choice, this experience becomes a reality.

[allyearroundturf]

The Top Benefits Of Bermuda Grass For Your Lawn: A Complete Guide To Choosing The Perfect Turf In Sydney

Welcome to the lush world of Bermuda grass! If you're looking for the perfect turf to transform your Sydney lawn into a verdant paradise, look no further. Bermuda grass is renowned for its exceptional qualities, making it a top choice among homeowners and landscapers. With its ability to thrive in warm climates and withstand heavy foot traffic, this versatile grass variety has become a staple in many Australian lawns. In this complete guide, we'll explore the myriad benefits of Bermuda grass Sydney and provide all the information you need to choose the perfect turf for your Sydney oasis. So, let's dive in and discover why Bermuda grass is the ultimate green solution!

Climate and Soil Requirements

When choosing the perfect turf for your lawn in Sydney, considering the climate and soil requirements is crucial. Bermuda grass is known for its adaptability to a wide range of climates, making it an excellent choice for homeowners in Sydney.

Bermuda grass's key benefit is its ability to thrive in hot and humid conditions. It has a high tolerance for heat and can withstand drought-like conditions without losing its lush green appearance. This makes it ideal for the warm summers experienced in Sydney.

In addition to its heat tolerance, Bermuda grass also performs well in sandy soils commonly found along coastal areas like Sydney. Its deep roots enable it to access water and nutrients from the soil effectively. However, it's important to note that Bermuda grass may struggle in heavy clay soils due to poor drainage.

Proper maintenance practices are essential to ensure optimal growth. Regular watering is necessary during dry periods, but be cautious not to overwater, as this can lead to shallow root development. Mowing should be done at a height of around 1-2 inches every 7-10 days during peak growing season.

Understanding Bermuda grass's climate and soil requirements can help you decide whether this turf variety suits your lawn in Sydney. Its ability to thrive in hot conditions and adaptability to sandy soils make it an attractive option worth considering!

Maintaining a Bermuda Grass Lawn

Now that you have chosen Bermuda grass as the perfect turf for your lawn in Sydney, it's important to know how to maintain it properly. Here are some essential tips to keep your Bermuda grass looking lush and vibrant:

1. Regular Mowing: Mow your Bermuda grass regularly to promote healthy growth and maintain an attractive appearance. During active growth periods, keep the height of the grass between 1 and 2 inches.

2. Adequate Watering: While Bermuda grass is known for its drought tolerance, it still requires regular watering to thrive. Deeply water your lawn once or twice a week, allowing the moisture to penetrate at least 6 inches into the soil.

3. Fertilization: A balanced fertilizer formulated explicitly for Bermuda grass will provide essential nutrients and help maintain its vibrant green color. Follow recommended guidelines for application rates based on your specific region.

4. Weed Control: Proper weed control is crucial in maintaining a pristine Bermuda grass lawn. Regularly inspect your lawn for weeds and use appropriate herbicides or manual removal techniques to keep them at bay.

5. Pest Management: Like any other type of turfgrass, Bermuda grass can be susceptible to pests such as grubs or chinch bugs. Monitor your lawn regularly and take the necessary steps if you notice signs of infestation.

6. Aeration: Aerating your lawn helps improve soil compaction and allows better airflow, promoting healthier roots for your Bermuda grass.

7. Trimming Edges: Keeping the edges of your lawn neat and well-trimmed adds that finishing touch to make it look professionally maintained.

Following these maintenance practices consistently throughout the year ensures that your Bermuda grass thrives in Sydney's climate conditions while providing a beautiful and durable turf option!

Remember that each garden is unique, so adapt these guidelines to specific conditions like sunlight exposure or local weather patterns!

[numagardensreviews]

Numa Gardens Reviews

Website: https://www.facebook.com/NumaGardens/

Address: San Jose, California

Numa Gardens, a leading Bay-Area contractor, is at the forefront of redefining outdoor spaces with expertise in low-water landscapes. Numa Gardens reviews and seamlessly integrates hardscapes into vast landscapes, crafting stunning outdoor living areas. Their commitment to drought-tolerant design positions Numa Gardens as a go-to for transforming spaces into sustainable, aesthetically pleasing environments. Specializing in projects spanning multiple acres, Numa Gardens showcases innovation and excellence in every outdoor endeavor.

Landscape Design #Numa Gardens reviews

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/numa-gardens/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NumaGardens

Instagram: http://instagram.com/numa_gardens

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@numagardens

[johnfrenchlandscapes]

Fast-Growing Ground Cover

Written by Sarah Littleton and https://www.bobvila.com/.

Ground cover is an eco-friendly solution that can enhance the look of your landscape while providing a number of important benefits. However, many varieties need several seasons to become established. If you don’t want to wait that long, The Grounds Guys have a number of options for a fast-growing ground cover that can quickly transform your outdoor space by filling in vacant or underdeveloped areas with texture and color.

The Best Low-Maintenance Ground Covers for Your Garden

Whether you do it yourself or you pay a landscaper, maintaining a vibrant garden and lush lawn requires time, effort, and money. One way to cut back on the energy and resources you put into your yard is to incorporate ground covers into the landscape.

Heuchera

An evergreen perennial, heuchera is known for its vibrant foliage, which ranges in color from silver to green to brown. The large, veined, heart-shaped leaves have a spread of 18-24 inches, and most varieties bloom in late spring with small pink flowers. When planted in groups, heuchera works well as a ground cover or along garden edging. The plant prefers partial shade or full sun and well-draining moist soil. What’s more, it requires relatively little maintenance, and it resists deer and other critters.

Honeysuckle

Want to lure hummingbirds, butterflies, and other wildlife to your garden? Plant some honeysuckle! Also known as lonicera, honeysuckle is an aromatic perennial that blooms with white, yellow, or red flowers in the spring and summer. Many homeowners position honeysuckle to grow vertically along trellises, but they can also serve as a beautiful ground cover. Honeysuckle grows best with full sun and moist soil, and the plant is resistant to heat.

Brass Buttons

Named for the color and shape of their flowers, brass buttons stand out perhaps most of all for their serrated, fern-like leaves. In fact, brass buttons share the same Achilles’ heel as ferns—both succumb easily to drought. In moist soil, however, brass buttons spread vigorously, forming two-inch-tall mats of growing strong and thick enough to withstand even regular foot traffic. In the South or West, the ground cover may lose its leaves or die back in the cold months. But in the right climate, brass buttons remain evergreen, beautiful, and low-maintenance all year round.

Creeping Phlox

Few ground covers ever look as beautiful as creeping phlox in spring when it produces an explosion of fragrant, star-shaped, pastel-color flowers. Of course, since it matures to a maximum height of only six inches tall, many gardeners choose to plant creeping phlox on a slope, or along the top of a retaining wall. That way, you don’t have to be standing directly over the plant in order to appreciate its beauty. That said, precisely because creeping phlox looks so beautiful from the top down, many use the ground cover to define the borders of garden paths. So long as the site affords full sun and good drainage, creeping phlox requires next to nothing in the way of care.

Creeping Jenny

Equally at home hanging from a planter or covering a hillside, Lysimachia (more commonly known as “Creeping Jenny”) is a plant known and revered for its trailing branches. Each plant takes on a green fountain-like appearance: Long, lush chutes of chartreuse foliage sprout up from the soil, then softly twist and tangle for full coverage wherever planted. Aside from good exposure to sunlight, these leafy green clusters ask little of their gardener—no need to deadhead branches that lose their vibrance, replant every season, or ward off hungry deer (they’re naturally resistant!).

Stonecrop

Need an easy, evergreen carpet to plant where no grass daring grow? Though its lush leaves don’t scream “drought-tolerant,” sedum boasts an ability to root and thrive in even the driest, rockiest settings—thus earning it the familiar name “stonecrop.” The secret? Those fleshy, bluish-green leaves help retain what little water it receives. Aid with a little mulching and weeding to prevent unwanted sprouts from stealing water from these low-maintenance succulents, and you can enjoy their cheery color year-round—even starry yellow buds when the plant blooms in spring.

Vinca Minor

The dainty purple flowers and evergreen leaves on this vine make it one of the most popular ground covers in residential and commercial landscaping. Also known as periwinkle, vinca minor will spread wherever it’s planted and will even scale trellises or fences if trained. Because vinca has few pests, it can be considered invasive, which is good news if your goal is to keep weeds at bay. If you want your vinca minor to play nice with other plantings, though, you’ll need to cut it back on a regular basis.

Lamium

Under even the most unforgiving of conditions, lamium prevails. This vining plant, also known as dead-nettles, can tolerate cold, heat, drought, and is deer-resistant. There are more than 40 species of lamium, but the best are those that are flowering perennials like the Pink Chablis. The low-maintenance plant thrives year-round, rewarding you with delicate blooms in spring and summer. Lamium spreads quickly, so be ready to cut it back if it begins to encroach on other shrubs and flowers.

Grace Ward Lithodora

Thanks to its bold blue hue and its ability to attract butterflies, the grace ward lithodora will add bursts of color to your landscape from spring throughout summer. A low-lying ground cover is a popular option as a filler for rock gardens or as an accent above retaining walls. In addition to making your garden look good, it also helps it out. The plant works as a natural deer repellent (the animals dislike the taste of the flowers) and works to control erosion. In extremely hot climates it needs a little shade, but otherwise, it enjoys being in the sun. 

Creeping Thyme

The soft, aromatic creeping thyme seems to be a plant that checks off all the boxes for a gardener, plus more. The low-lying ground cover—it grows no more than four inches tall—is able to endure being stepped and stomped on, making it a smart choice for planting between pavers or replacing grass entirely. It’s preferable to moderate climates but is able to withstand full sun and drought-like conditions. It also works to control weeds from growing and is a natural deer repellent. And while deer might not like the creeping thyme’s pink flowers, it does attract butterflies and honeybees—it’s even believed that it enhances the honey’s flavor. On top of all of that, assuming you take proper care of the plant, it lasts for five to six years, in which during that time you can harvest your own fresh herbs!

Cover Up

Ground covers are an easy way to add color to your garden without much work. Want more fool-proof florals for your garden? These plants will thrive with minimal maintenance on your part. 

Whether you’re a lawn care novice or a master gardener, everyone can use a little help around the yard. Subscribe to The Dirt newsletter for tips, recommendations, and problem-solving tools that can help you tame your great outdoors.

Original post here https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/the-best-low-maintenance-ground-covers-for-your-garden-51253#bv-us.

The post Fast-Growing Ground Cover appeared first on John French Landscapes.

John French Landscapes

[st-petersburg-fl-near-blog]

Weather

The most pleasant months of the year in St. Petersburg can be felt in the months of November, March, and April. Summer high is recorded in July at around 90.0° Fahrenheit which is considered to be cool. Winter low is recorded in January at 53.0° Fahrenheit. People living in St. Petersburg rarely experience snowfall and the humidity in the city is something they don't look forward to in August and July.  The annual BestPlaces Comfort Index for the St. Petersburg area is 6.7 with 10 as the best, which means it is more comfortable in St. Petersburg than most places in Florida.

This isn’t just your everyday luxury townhome development

ST. PETERSBURG — Townhomes are popping up all over the Tampa Bay area but the 13-unit Royal in St. Petersburg has an unusual distinction. It’s being developed by one of Florida’s few Certified B Corporations — companies that meet high standards for "social and environmental performance. Read more here.

The Royal is a 13-unit townhome project from Salt Palm Development and is located at 545 Fourth Avenue S. in St. Petersburg. It has eco-friendly features like LED lighting, reflective roof materials, and drought-tolerant landscaping. Prices for each unit will range from $550,000 to $1.3 million. Jared M. Meyers is the chairman of Salt Palm and Orlando-based Legacy Vacation Resorts. Both companies received their Certified B Corporation certifications from B Lab, a Pennsylvania-based nonprofit with global offices. Salt Palm has a public commitment to invest at least 50 percent of its profits into the city or to Florida for Good movement which encourages businesses to become Certified B Corporations.

Sunken Gardens in St. Petersburg, FL

The Sunken Gardens is St. Petersburg's oldest living museum. This 100-year-old garden is home to some of the oldest tropical plants in the region and is one of the last remaining Florida roadside attractions. The botanical paradise in the midst of a bustling city offers garden tours, horticultural programs, special events, and field trips as well as private and corporate rentals. Visit them and witness cascading waterfalls, beautiful demonstration gardens, more than 50,000 tropical plants, and flowers. The Sunken Gardens Forever Foundation has been formed to support special projects at the Gardens. You can reach them at 727-551-3102 for inquiries.  

Save yourself the time and hassle of filing and registering an LLC yourself with the help of Form A Florida LLC. Aside from protecting your privacy, they can provide you with a number of important documents and an accessible helpline in case you have any questions. Other providers tend to be large national incorporation companies that charge more, take longer to process, and care less than Form A Florida LLC. Some of them are also just resellers of local incorporation and virtual office providers. With Form A Florida LLC, you can rest assured that you won't get a call center employee nor be passed off from one person to another.

Link to maps

Sunken Gardens 1825 4th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33704, United States

Head west toward 4th St N 43 ft

Turn left at the 1st cross street onto 4th St N 1.2 mi

Turn right onto 1st Ave N 0.3 mi

Turn left onto 7th St N 322 ft

Turn left onto Central Ave S Destination will be on the left 69 ft

Form a Florida LLC 695 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, United States

[alexgandel]

225 Sequoia Ave Simi Valley.mp4 from Alex Gandel on Vimeo.

The Woodlands, Arbor Heights, Residence Three, built by Lennar! This beautiful home was built in 2018, and features 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, one bedroom and full bathroom downstairs, 2,776 sq. ft. of living space, a 7,069 view lot, a great-room-style living space on the bottom floor displaying a spacious living room with a fireplace, a gourmet granite island kitchen with a breakfast bar, pendent lighting, a walk-in pantry, stainless GE appliances including a 5-burner gas range, a double oven, a microwave, and a dishwasher. The dining room is part of the great room with a slider to the backyard featuring a concrete patio with a solid overhang with recessed lighting. The low maintenance drought-tolerant landscape has a water feature with a small stream and pond. The inviting pergola offers a place to enjoy the peaceful hillside view and open space at the back with a lush and colorful garden. There is a two-bay garage with direct access to the house. Moving up the lovely wrought iron stairway, you are greeted with a roomy loft area leading to Jack and Jill bedrooms with an adjoining bathroom, a laundry room with a large linen storage room, and a wonderful master suite hosting a view to the back, a walk-in closet, a deep soaking tub, a shower, dual vanities, a sit-down vanity and dual medicine cabinets. This beautiful home is fresh, squeaky clean, is equipped with solar for electricity, and is ready for the most discriminating buyer! Wow!

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How to Grow Herbs in Containers | Gardener’s Path@|how to plant a herb garden in pots@|https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/How-to-Grow-Herbs-in-Containers-FB.jpg@|21

Container herb gardens are among the easiest and most rewarding of garden projects.

A must-have for cooks, herbs add wonderful flavor and fragrance to cooked foods and salads. But they provide many more benefits that go beyond their use in cooking.

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Many release their intense fragrances in the warmth of the afternoon sun or when you brush up against their leaves.

And most have enchanting, aromatic flowers that pollinators adore, and make an excellent addition to cut flower arrangements.

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Herbs are just as easy to grow in containers as they are in the garden. So you can enjoy them growing near the kitchen for convenience, or placed around decks and patios.

Plus, growing your own is an economical alternative to those pricey little packets at the market – and your pots of green gold have a garden-fresh flavor that can’t be beat!

Photo by Lorna Kring.

Most herbs are robust plants that don’t like to be fussed over, and many are drought tolerant once they are established.

Now, let’s get on with those tips to ensure your container herb garden thrives all summer! Here’s what I’ll cover:

Which Herbs Should You Choose?

With such a large variety of herbs available, the best place to start is to choose what you’ll use on a regular basis.

From there, you can ask friends and neighbors for recommendations, browse seed catalogs, and check out our herb growing guides.

Or, if you tend to cook a lot of a particular type of cuisine, choose plants based on that theme.

French cuisine favors bay, chervil, chives, fennel, garlic, marjoram, parsley, rosemary, tarragon, and thyme.

Making pizza, or an Italian theme, would include basil, bay, fennel, garlic, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, and thyme.

Photo by Lorna Kring.

For a taste of Mexico, cultivate chili peppers, cilantro, mint, oregano, parsley, and thyme.

Asian-inspired cuisine would feature Thai basil, coriander (cilantro seeds), garlic, ginger, lemongrass, hot peppers, and star anise.

If you put up a lot of preserves and pickles, plant a bay tree and sow celery, coriander, dill, and mustard for their seeds.

The foundation of your container garden should begin with herbaceous and woody perennials.

Chosen wisely, some of these plants can provide a year-round harvest – provided they’re hardy in your climate and region.

These include evergreens like bay, lavender, rosemary, sage, thyme, and winter savory.

Photo by Lorna Kring.

Parsley, a biennial, can also grow through the winter if pots are brought under cover or tucked into a sheltered site.

And many herbaceous ones – like chives, marjoram, mint, oregano, and tarragon – are among the very first plants to emerge as the days begin to lengthen, often well before winter is officially over.

Photo by Lorna Kring.

Annuals, such as basil, cilantro, and summer savory, are quick-growing and can be direct sown in pots once temperatures warm up in spring. Or you can start seeds indoors about six weeks before your last frost.

Learn more about which seeds to sow indoors and outdoors in this guide.

Site Selection

One of the best things about container gardens is that they’re portable.

Aside from the really jumbo-sized pots, you can lift, move, and rearrange them so they have optimal growing conditions available all year long.

Photo by Lorna Kring.

Position some close to the kitchen for quick convenience, if desired.

They can be placed anywhere for you to enjoy their beauty and fragrance, and look terrific arranged on the deck, doorsteps, edging pathways, patios, and in window boxes.

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But not all enjoy the same growing conditions.

Some prefer arid, hot conditions while others like to keep cool and moist with afternoon shade. However, they should all receive a minimum of six hours of sunlight each day.

Aside from that, position your pots according to the needs of each plant. And only mix plants in the same pot that share similar growing requirements.

You’ll also want to locate your pots close to a water source. Remember, containers dry out much faster than ground plants, and even drought resistant plants require regular watering.

A good rule of thumb is to choose pots that are at least one-third as tall as the mature plant, and half to three-quarters of its mature width.

Information about a plant’s mature size can be found on plant tags or seed packets.

Photo by Lorna Kring.

For example, a low-growing plant like common thyme grows to 12 inches tall with an 8-inch spread. The minimum pot dimensions for container-grown thyme would be 4 inches tall by 4 to 6 inches wide.

But for larger plants like lemongrass, rosemary, or sage, bigger is definitely better. For large specimens, the pot height should be closer to one-half of the mature height – or bigger.

Also, if you need to protect plants from winter temperatures, larger pots provide better insulation from the cold.

Whatever size you choose, each one needs to have drainage holes that allow water to drain away from the roots.

Root rot is one of the leading causes of plant failure in containers, and it’s easily introduced when plants have “wet feet,” or roots are left standing in water or oversaturated soil for extended periods.

I also recommend adding a layer of material over the drainage holes to prevent the soil from becoming waterlogged. Coconut coir, pebbles, broken pottery, and other similar materials are all suitable to help drain away excess water.

Containers are typically made of materials such as ceramic, metal, plastic, resin, terra cotta, or wood, and which you choose is a matter of personal perference.

But plastic or resin are the best options for overwintering, as they’re the least likely to be damaged by the cold. They’re the lightest to move as well.

Double Your Pleasure

If you have the room, it’s a good idea to double up on your favorites with two pots growing at the same time, or more if the space will allow it.

Photo by Lorna Kring.

This is a useful tip if you love adding sage to protein or pasta dishes on a weekly basis, or if you love making a big batch of pesto to include with meals as often as you’re able to.

Place one pot in the best growing site, and when it becomes over-picked and sparse, move it to a location with dappled sunlight or light shade.

Once moved, it can rest, recuperate, and produce new growth.

Move your second pot into the prime growing location, then rotate the two pots as needed throughout the growing season.

Start with Good Soil

To ensure the healthiest start for your container herb garden, begin with high-quality soil.

Container soil should be lighter in density than garden soil and enriched with organic matter. It should also be amended to provide excellent drainage as well as moisture retention.

The addition of landscape or builder’s sand helps to ensure good drainage.

And amending with light materials like perlite, vermiculite, or peat moss helps to retain moisture without compacting or saturating the soil.

Here’s a suited blend that you can use for potted plants:

1/4 garden soil or potting soil

1/4 landscape sand

1/4 vermiculite or peat moss

1/4 aged compost or manure

This creates a light, airy soil mixture that provides essential nutrients, easy water absorption, and free-flowing drainage.

For perennial pots, it’s a good idea to work in some aged compost each spring, and to completely replace the soil every 3 to 4 years.

Watering and Fertilizing

Containers can dry out quickly in hot or windy weather. They need to be watered regularly, typically when the top inch of soil feels dry.

Usually, in-ground herbs don’t require any fertilizing. But for the best growth and productivity, potted ones should be fed regularly.

A diluted solution of fish emulsion fertilizer, watered down to half strength and applied monthly during the growing season, provides the nutrients they need.

Fertilome Fish Emulsion Fertilizer

Fertilome fish emulsion fertilizer is available in three different sizes at Nature Hills Nursery.

Harvest Wisely

To keep new growth coming, pinch back or pick from your plants often.

Photo by Lorna Kring.

With leafy, clump-forming plants such as chives, cilantro, lemongrass, and parsley, pick the outer leaves first, working in towards the center and up as you harvest.

Those that have upright stems, like basil, mint, oregano, and rosemary, can be snipped right above a set of leaves to encourage branching and bushiness.

Many herbs, such as basil, mint, and parsley, begin to lose flavor once flowers begin to form. To retain the best taste, pinch out flower buds and stalks promptly.

But don’t toss those flowers!

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Not surprisingly, the flowers of edible herbs are edible as well – you can add them to dishes as a colorful garnish or salad topper, for a pretty and zesty addition to meals.

Fall Cleanup

As the growing season winds down, begin your cleanup.

Lightly trim away dead or damaged stems on woody perennials, and cut herbaceous ones to the ground.

Remove any existing mulch and apply a new layer of mulching material for winter protection.

Empty out any pots used for growing annuals, clean them thoroughly, and store them for the winter.

Winter Protection

To prevent frost damage, move pots used to grow perennials into a frost-free area for winter protection.

For larger containers, you can provide on-site protection for roots by insulating pots with branches, blankets, or bubble wrap.

And on chilly nights, you can give the top side of plants frost protection with fabric plant covers.

Warm Worth Plant Covers

Warm Worth covers are available in a variety of sizes at Wayfair.

Moving outdoor-grown plants indoors is another option in cool climates. We’ll cover this in another article.

Pruning

Annuals don’t require pruning, and herbaceous plants may simply be cut to the ground in late autumn.

But your woody perennials need annual pruning to control their shape and size, and to facilitate the production of fresh foliage.

Once they become overgrown, it’s very difficult to return them to a compact, tidy form because the woody stems won’t produce new growth. Cutting them at this point results in stubby sticks with no foliage.

The best time for pruning woody types such as bay, lavender, rosemary, sage, and thyme is in early spring, just when new growth emerges at the base of plants or on their lowest limbs.

Missed this window? The next best time is immediately after the plant has finished flowering.

Cut branches back by one-third, making your cuts just above a set of leaves. Remove any spent flowers and flower stalks as well.

Photo by Lorna Kring.

Avoid cutting back woody perennials late in the season. This encourages new growth to start when they should be preparing for dormancy.

Tender shoots are easily killed by winter cold, which can weaken plants to the point of killing them.

During the growing season, trim lightly as needed, choosing outside stems and snipping to keep a tidy shape.

Pots of Delight

Growing your own herbs is an easy way to enjoy fresh flavors in your cooking, and fragrance in your garden. To learn more, check out our full guide to starting your own herb garden.

Remember to water regularly, fertilize monthly, and harvest often for a steady supply of flavorful, fresh leaves.

Now that you know a bit more about how to grow your own container herb garden, will you be potting up some of your own delightful favorites? Let us know in the comments below!

And for more tips on container gardening, add these articles to your reading list next:

The Best 11 Vegetables to Grow in Pots and Containers

Keep Your Containers Looking Great with These 6 Simple Tricks

How to Grow Vegetables in Containers

Photos by Laura Kring © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Product photos via Home Depot, Nature Hills Nursery, and Wayfair. Uncredited photos: Shutterstock.

About Lorna Kring

A writer, artist, and entrepreneur, Lorna is also a long-time gardener who got hooked on organic and natural gardening methods at an early age. These days, her vegetable garden is smaller to make room for decorative landscapes filled with color, fragrance, art, and hidden treasures. Cultivating and designing the ideal garden spot is one of her favorite activities – especially for gathering with family and friends for good times and good food (straight from the garden, of course)!

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[landscaperomaha402]

Best Irrigation Maintenance Near Omaha Nebraska | Landscaping Services Of Omaha More information is at: https://landscapingservicesofomaha.com/irrigation-maintenance-near-me/

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[sciencespies]

Something is killing trees, creating 'ghost forests' along the Atlantic coast

https://sciencespies.com/environment/something-is-killing-trees-creating-ghost-forests-along-the-atlantic-coast/

Something is killing trees, creating 'ghost forests' along the Atlantic coast

Trekking out to my research sites near North Carolina’s Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, I slog through knee-deep water on a section of trail that is completely submerged. Permanent flooding has become commonplace on this low-lying peninsula, nestled behind North Carolina’s Outer Banks. The trees growing in the water are small and stunted. Many are dead.

Throughout coastal North Carolina, evidence of forest die-off is everywhere. Nearly every roadside ditch I pass while driving around the region is lined with dead or dying trees.

As an ecologist studying wetland response to sea level rise, I know this flooding is evidence that climate change is altering landscapes along the Atlantic coast. It’s emblematic of environmental changes that also threaten wildlife, ecosystems, and local farms and forestry businesses.

Like all living organisms, trees die. But what is happening here is not normal. Large patches of trees are dying simultaneously, and saplings aren’t growing to take their place. And it’s not just a local issue: Seawater is raising salt levels in coastal woodlands along the entire Atlantic Coastal Plain, from Maine to Florida. Huge swaths of contiguous forest are dying. They’re now known in the scientific community as “ghost forests.”

Deer photographed by remote camera in a climate change-altered forest in North Carolina. (Emily Ury, CC BY-ND)

The insidious role of salt

Sea level rise driven by climate change is making wetlands wetter in many parts of the world. It’s also making them saltier.

In 2016 I began working in a forested North Carolina wetland to study the effect of salt on its plants and soils. Every couple of months, I suit up in heavy rubber waders and a mesh shirt for protection from biting insects, and haul over 100 pounds of salt and other equipment out along the flooded trail to my research site. We are salting an area about the size of a tennis court, seeking to mimic the effects of sea level rise.

After two years of effort, the salt didn’t seem to be affecting the plants or soil processes that we were monitoring. I realized that instead of waiting around for our experimental salt to slowly kill these trees, the question I needed to answer was how many trees had already died, and how much more wetland area was vulnerable.

To find answers, I had to go to sites where the trees were already dead.

Rising seas are inundating North Carolina’s coast, and saltwater is seeping into wetland soils. Salts move through groundwater during phases when freshwater is depleted, such as during droughts. Saltwater also moves through canals and ditches, penetrating inland with help from wind and high tides. Dead trees with pale trunks, devoid of leaves and limbs, are a telltale sign of high salt levels in the soil. A 2019 report called them “wooden tombstones.”

As the trees die, more salt-tolerant shrubs and grasses move in to take their place. In a newly published study that I coauthored with Emily Bernhardt and Justin Wright at Duke University and Xi Yang at the University of Virginia, we show that in North Carolina this shift has been dramatic.

The state’s coastal region has suffered a rapid and widespread loss of forest, with cascading impacts on wildlife, including the endangered red wolf and red-cockaded woodpecker. Wetland forests sequester and store large quantities of carbon, so forest die-offs also contribute to further climate change.

Assessing ghost forests from space

To understand where and how quickly these forests are changing, I needed a bird’s-eye perspective. This perspective comes from satellites like NASA’s Earth Observing System, which are important sources of scientific and environmental data.

A 2016 Landsat8 image of the Albemarle Pamlico Peninsula in coastal NC. (USGS)

Since 1972, Landsat satellites, jointly operated by NASA and the US Geological Survey, have captured continuous images of Earth’s land surface that reveal both natural and human-induced change.

We used Landsat images to quantify changes in coastal vegetation since 1984 and referenced high-resolution Google Earth images to spot ghost forests. Computer analysis helped identify similar patches of dead trees across the entire landscape.

Google Earth image of a healthy forest on the right and a ghost forest with many dead trees on the left. (Emily Ury)

The results were shocking. We found that more than 10 percent of forested wetland within the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge was lost over the past 35 years. This is federally protected land, with no other human activity that could be killing off the forest.

Rapid sea level rise seems to be outpacing the ability of these forests to adapt to wetter, saltier conditions. Extreme weather events, fueled by climate change, are causing further damage from heavy storms, more frequent hurricanes and drought.

We found that the largest annual loss of forest cover within our study area occurred in 2012, following a period of extreme drought, forest fires and storm surges from Hurricane Irene in August 2011. This triple whammy seemed to have been a tipping point that caused mass tree die-offs across the region.

(Ury et al, 2021., CC BY-ND)

Above: Habitat maps we created for the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge showing the change over time and the prevalence of ghost forests. 

Should scientists fight the transition or assist it?

As global sea levels continue to rise, coastal woodlands from the Gulf of Mexico to the Chesapeake Bay and elsewhere around the world could also suffer major losses from saltwater intrusion.

Many people in the conservation community are rethinking land management approaches and exploring more adaptive strategies, such as facilitating forests’ inevitable transition into salt marshes or other coastal landscapes.

For example, in North Carolina the Nature Conservancy is carrying out some adaptive management approaches, such as creating “living shorelines” made from plants, sand and rock to provide natural buffering from storm surges.

A more radical approach would be to introduce marsh plants that are salt-tolerant in threatened zones. This strategy is controversial because it goes against the desire to try to preserve ecosystems exactly as they are.

But if forests are dying anyway, having a salt marsh is a far better outcome than allowing a wetland to be reduced to open water. While open water isn’t inherently bad, it does not provide the many ecological benefits that a salt marsh affords.

Proactive management may prolong the lifespan of coastal wetlands, enabling them to continue storing carbon, providing habitat, enhancing water quality and protecting productive farm and forest land in coastal regions.

Emily Ury, Ph.D. Candidate, Duke University.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

#Environment

[architectnews]

Aldo Beach House, Hood Canal

Aldo Beach House, Washington Water Front House, WA Home Project, US Architecture Photos

Aldo Beach House on Hood Canal in Washington

Nov 10, 2020

Aldo Beach House

Design: Wittman Estes

Location: Hood Canal, Washington State, USA

Aldo Beach House transforms a 1940s beach house into a new multi-generational home—doubling the livable area while lightly touching the delicate ecology of the waterfront.

Two shifting wings hover over the hillside and beach supported by thin steel columns and pin piles. Located on the eastern shore of Hood Canal near the Bangor submarine base, the new beach house includes the original two-bedroom structure for an expanded program of two new bedrooms, two bathrooms, and flex space. The design consists of three distinct parts: the original footprint, and the two projecting wings: the first a south ground floor addition, and the second an upper-level master suite to the north.

Solving the Regional Problem of Building on a Fragile Shoreline The house represents a regional northwest problem of building on fragile shoreline. “Due to the complex constraints of the shoreline exemption, we kept to the existing footprint, expanding the house only from the existing structure,” says Matt Wittman, Principal at Wittman Estes. “As a result, all new square footage is supported by compact pier foundations on pin piles.”

Native plantings and drought tolerant species were brought in to mitigate site disturbance and increase the ecological function of the site. The architects wanted the site preservation to extend beyond the footprint and into the materials of the building itself. Local cedar, quintessential to a northwest house, wears naturally with the wet and dry seasons. Stainless steel and concrete provide a maritime accent to the wood materials. Through the use of naturally weathering materials, the life of the building was extended while allowing ease of maintenance for the users.

A Place for Relatives, Neighbors, and Friends The clients, both grandparents and retirees, wanted a place of retreat and welcome. “Like many northwest families, that meant designing various indoor and outdoor spaces for their children, future grandchildren, neighbors, and friends,” says Wittman. The new wings of the house create a layering of community and privacy through guest bedrooms for friends, a bunk room and play area for kids, and an outdoor kitchen and deck for communal meals with neighbors. Two additions extend out of the original structure to meet this need – shaping shared spaces alongside rooms for reflection and privacy. Two decks seamlessly elongate the use of the adjacent spaces for encouraging late-night conversations next to an outdoor kitchen.

The original structure interplays throughout. Reclaimed pine flooring draws the Olympic forest to the interior. The existing brick chimneys blend into this palette, evoking timelessness and strength, representing the unique transformation of the house. The adaptive reuse of the Aldo Beach House sought a careful integration of the familiar with the modern, bringing the old and new together on the shoreline of Hood Canal.

Before:

Aldo Beach House, Hood Canal Washington State – Building Information

Architecture: Wittman Estes Project Team Design Team: Matt Wittman AIA LEED AP, Jody Estes, Ashton Wesley Structural Engineer: J Welch Engineering LLC Builder: Jack Colgrove Construction

Finish Materials – Fir windows by Lindal – Master Bedroom – Windsor wood clad windows – Tight Knot cedar siding stained black – Blackened steel exterior siding – Steel columns on pin piles – Cedar Soffits with clear finish – Cedar Slat Wall stained black – Frank Lumber the Door Store – Custom Entry Door – Reclaimed pine flooring – Interior cabinets painted white – Existing brick chimney in bedroom – Steel rainchain

Furnishings -Saarinen Executive Armless chair -Chaise lounges from IKEA

Landscape materials – Thermory Decking – AGS Stainless Steel Railing – Outdoor Decks – BlueStone Pavers with Raw Steel Frame – At Entry – Concrete Retaining Wall – Native Vine Maple ‘Acer Cercinatum’

Aldo Beach House Fast Facts Located on the eastern shore of Hood Canal near the Bangor submarine base.

The new beach house includes the original two-bedroom structure for an expanded program of two new bedrooms, two bathrooms, and flex space.

The original cabin was built in the 1940s and added

Due to the complex constraints of the shoreline exemption, the architects kept to the existing footprint, expanding the house only from the existing structure.

The new wings of the house create a layering of community and privacy through guest bedrooms for friends, a bunk room and play area for kids, and an outdoor kitchen and deck for communal meals with neighbors.

Photography: Andrew Pogue

Aldo Beach House, Hood Canal images / information received 101120

Location: Hood Canal, Washington State, USA

Washington Architecture

Washington Architecture

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Everett Grand Avenue Pedestrian Bridge, Everett Design: LMN Architects image Courtesy LMN Architects Construction Photography Credit: Adam Hunter/LMN Architects Everett Grand Avenue Pedestrian Bridge

Bailer Hill Residence, Friday Harbor, Washington, USA Architects: Prentiss + Balance + Wickline photography : Eirik Johnson Residence at Friday Harbor

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North Bay House, San Juan Island, Washington, USA photograph : Jay Goodrich House on San Juan Island

Winery Building in Washington

Washington State University Visitor Center

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Comments / photos for the Aldo Beach House, Hood Canal – page welcome

Website: Washington

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