Through The Garden Window

Living a life of Thankfulness

2010-11-14T09:36:00.000-08:00

Have you every whined about something you lack and caught yourself short and asked "what am I saying?! We all have so much to be greateful for but often do not take the time to give thanks for what we have, Instead, we gripe about what is missing.

I am reminded of an approaching Thanksgiving two years ago when we were blessed with a gift we never thought we'd have and every day in every way, I am ever so grateful for her.

If youd like to work on your better self, you have got to get this book, God Never Blinks: 50 Lessons for Life's Little Detours by Regina Brett. I just read it and have come away transformed. I will be sending out her lessons here and there for those who I think will enjoy them. Get it and read it and LIVE it

Natural Healing Springs From the Landscape

2010-11-10T20:49:00.000-08:00

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

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

Gardening takes a toll on your feet

2010-11-08T07:27:00.000-08:00

Whenever I am working out in the garden, I just go. I dont think about me, I am busy pruning, weeding, planting or totally engrossed in what I am doing at the moment. I sometimes loose track of time, I'm so involved in what I am doing. Its when I get home and I sit down to relax, I realize how much I hurt.

Part of it is that I'm not getting any younger and I am using all sorts of muscles lifting, bending, digging, etc. One thing I learned early on is to take care of my feet. If your feet hurt, you cant seem to dredge up enough enthusiasim to keep going or even get started for that reason.

One of the best things I do for my feet is to buy quality boots and terrific socks. The socks I buy arent cheap, about $20 but they do wonders for my feet which means the difference between gettin the job done and having some life at then end of the job!

Check your Grape plants

2010-09-13T19:27:00.000-07:00

Getting a few calls about buggy grape plants. The little bugs fly around the grape leaves and leave red or brown spots all over the leaves and a kind of sticky honeydew. the leaves take a yellow cast and then dead brown spots all over. Ugly annoying and downright yucky! If populations are small, just wash off the leaves and you might be able to keep their populations down enough. If not, its time to spray.
Keep in mind the best control is to clean up weeds and plant litter under the vines so the little guys dont overwinter and start all over again in spring

The elusive dream... a good nights sleep.

2010-08-04T13:03:00.000-07:00

I dont know about you, but working in the garden tires me out! Some days, I just drag in the door and look incredulously at my darling husband when he, for some reason wants to have a nice dinner. Not dinner out or take out, but a real dinner cooked by me. I'm already cooked by the end of the day! some days, gardening uses muscles I didn't realize I had.

Even so, when I can finally drop my head onto the pillow, sleep does not necessarily follow, even exhaused as I am. Even worse, is when I wake up several times in the night wondering what else I need to do or didn't do that I should have or will tomorrow. As I get older, this sleep thing comes harder. I think that I dont function as well as I could when I don't get enough sleep.

I have tried lots of methods to induce a sound sleep, but they all seem to fail. I was thinking about going to a sleep clinic, but so expensive and time consuming. So I was really excited to learn of a new device that allows you to track your own sleep patterns and daily habits and how they correlate, so you can improve your quality of sleep. This new device is available at Amazon. Its called a Zeo Personal Sleep Coach.

It is a little wireless device that has a headband you wear to bed that tracks your sleep patterns. they also have an online program that helps you intrepret the information and make lifestyle changes that will improve your sleep. Amazon has a neat video on how this thing works. You should check it out if you or anyone you know has any sleep issues. I have ordered it and am anxiously awaiting its arrival. I will let you know how it works for me.

Has Edison Got a Secret Agenda?

2010-08-03T05:14:00.000-07:00

Got our electric bill last friday. I wasnt looking forward to the bill, because it has been so humid lately that we have been running the air conditioner in both the house and office. I was shocked when I saw the bill. It was at least half of last months bill!

Hmmm... the game is afoot! I went out and read our meter and of course, the reading they billed for was off, by at least 1,000!! so I called up Edison and demanded they bill me more.

Crazy you ask? Not so much. See with the tiered rates, If I waited until they catch up the bill next month, I will be paying for those units at a much higher rate. The lady at Edison said I was one in a million.

Talking with my neighbor, THEIR electric bill was lots cheaper too! Now either we have a really stupid meter reader, or... perhaps this is a plot by Edison to get more money for the same electricity?

I'm thinking it is a conspiracy. No meter reader can be that stupid to get the readings at two houses right next door to each other wrong on the same day.What do you think? Do you have a low electric bill lately

Confessions from the soul

2010-07-28T19:32:00.000-07:00

Hi. My name is Cindy. I'm a bookaholic.

I love every chrisp page as I turn each one. I linger over every book jacket. The typefaces and cover art thrill me.

I ve always known I've had a problem. Sometimes as a child, when reading, I would ignore all others around me. Even when they were offering food! It started with Nancy Drew... Just a little story now and then. Soon, I graduated to Where the Red Fern Grows and then To Kill a Mockinbird .

Now it is just Hard core. I sneak into the bathroom 6 times a day just to read a paragraph or two! People are thinking something is wrong with me. And they are right!

I knew I had a problem when I resorted to reading the book of the day at long stop lights while driving. I love everything about books. I cant decide if my favorite is Go Dog Go or the Girl with the Dragon Tatoo

Somebody please help me. Is there a cure for the love of libris? Do I want to be cured?

The secret life of cactus

2010-07-22T19:36:00.000-07:00

I really love most plants. There are a few exceptions, but that will remain for another post. And I do love cactus. They are quite remarkable plants, little water storage units really. Their spines are there to shade the cactus and protect them from water loving desert dwellers.

I have the privlidge of helping some of my clients care for their gardens. One home today has lots of cactus. Unfortunately, the drip tubing was chewed in half by a sneaky little rabbit and I had to repair it. I had to lay on my stomach and dig under the cactus to get to the tubing to repair it. I am now (still) literally covered with the fine little spines of the cactus. Sigh... I am loving the cactus today but not so much!

The Real Secret to Creating a Low-Maintenance Landscape

2010-07-16T22:02:00.000-07:00

Low-Maintenance. Nobody ever asks for a landscape that takes a lot of time to maintain. So when someone says that they want a low maintenance landscape, I’m thinking… well, yeah. Very few people in this world do not care how long or how much it takes to care for their landscape. If they don’t, then they can, and do usually afford to have someone do it for them.

That’s not most of us. The real key to getting a low maintenance (or Easy-Care as I call it) landscape is all in the planning. At that stage, you will know how much time and money you want to invest in the care of your new landscape. Right then, BOOM! is where most landscapes are successful or not.

You gotta understand plants to landscape properly. One plant might work just great for your neighbor, but be soooo not right for you. Or not right for THAT place in your yard. ONLY if you know your client, plants, climate, and location can you select the right landscaping. And if you have the wrong plants in the wrong places matched with the wrong maintenance skills or budget, you, my friend have just wasted your money on landscaping. It’s as simple as that!

Picture a cute little evergreen bought at the nursery 2 feet high by 1 ft wide. Plant 20 of those suckers 1 foot away from the front sidewalk in a row every 5 feet. Cute when planted. However, did I mention that those little cuties are arborvitae? Now when you know that, you know that they will reach 10 feet wide and 15 feet tall within 10 years, they don’t look so cute. When you know that they could ultimately reach 30 feet wide and 45 feet tall. They are downright monsters. Think of trying to make them stay small and all the effort that will go into that for the first few years and the time an expense that it will take to take them out when they get too big. That is the big secret… Plant only what works for the space both now and ultimately

I just want to hide inside..

2010-07-16T19:16:00.000-07:00

The heat is opressive. I make my living outdoors every day, but I'm not a fan of the heat. As the saying goes..you can only take so much off. The humidity was terrible yesterday, and we had to turn on the air conditioner for the first time this year. The water cooler wasnt doing it. We had a tremendous thunder shower last evening. In just over half an hour we got nearly an inch of rain! I was content to watch from inside. The plants at least got some advantage.

I really need to dig up and divide my iris. I have too many and plan to ditch some and gift some. Now is the time, but I have too much to do this weekend. I am bustling about making sure everything gets plenty of water here, checking the sprinklers and drip for "issues". I only found a few problems of clogged heads and some emitters that had gone cattywampus and had to be adjusted.

I am getting ready to head to the Home Improvement Expo at the Victorville fairgrounds this weekend.There were so many businesses there setting up today. It looks like it will be a big hit to have a July show. I saw several vendors that I have not seen at the show before. Looks like an intersting weekend.

I WAS looking forward to relaxing this weekend with a good book my hubby bought me. He said I havent read anything fun lately and got me The Girl With the Dragon Tatoo. I have just barely started it. It will have to wait til next week as the Home Show will take center stage this weekend. Come by and see me.

Cash for Grass not Dead Yet!

2010-06-06T20:32:00.000-07:00

Just received an email from the Mojave Water Agency in which, they report the Daily Press article stating the Cash For Grass" program's death was a bit premature. In fact, the CFG's program is a resounding success in saving water and they are "re-working" it to be better this fall. So they are only going on hiatus, sort of like your favorite TV programs.
If you need any more information contact talaniz@mojavewater.org

Get ready for the bug invasion!

2010-06-02T20:24:00.000-07:00

A doctor must diagnose the problem before he/she can prescribe a cure. Bug problems are no different. You have to know what (or who) the problem is before you can select the proper control (if any) to use for that bug.

Pests of the West is a fabulous resource book for just that. I just discovered it and it has tremendous pictures of lots of common pests and suggested plan of attack to mitigate the problems. I love the pictures! I have been trying of late to get better up close pictures so I can document the pest issues I come across on my yard and clients yards.

Most of the time, identifying the pest is the hardest task. Once that is done, you are all set to decide how and IF to apply controls.

Check out the section on Grubs. They will be an issue for you with lovely pretty scarob-like beetles by next month if you havent applied some control by now. Do it before it is too late and the beetles start flying.

Cash for Grass Program Ending Soon...

2010-06-02T19:48:00.000-07:00

Well, the local paper announced that the Mojave Water Agency is suspending their "cash for grass" program at the end of the month due to massive budget cuts.

For the un-initiated, that's a program where they, through your local city's water department pay you a rebate if you remove your grass and replace it with a drought tolerant landscape and a drip irrigation system. You have til June 30 to qualify, so if you are considering it you'd better get right on the ball NOW.

You must be pre-approved for the program and the rebate is paid after the landscaping is done and a final inspection. They pay in most cities 50 cents per square foot. That's not enough to pay for the whole job, even if you do it yourself. However, it can amount to a nice add in to your budget for garden lovelies like pots and benches.

Again with the Crazy Busy!

2010-03-24T11:05:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure what time it is except late, late, late! I have so many things to do to get ready for the Home Show for this weekend. You can be sure that 1pm Friday is approaching fast. I hope to talk to you there. Come by and see me. Bring photos and measurements and I will be dispensing lots of advice ( if you want it).

Here is something to soothe if you are as frazzled as I am.

Free Ride is Over!

2010-03-21T09:57:00.000-07:00

OK folks, your free ride from all the recent rains is over. You will have to start up the irrigation system now. The soil moisture is really depleted from the warmer temps we have had lately, and with no rain on the horizion, you better get crackin on tweaking up the sprinkler clock.

I would reccommend in our little High Desert Valley to be watering the planters and shrubs once to a couple of times a week for established plants and maybe a couple of times a week for the lawns.

Remember to check your drip emitters on your plants to see that they are working properly. Replace them if they are clogged or broken. Clean the Drip Y-Filter out. Just un-screw it, and wash it out and re-assemble snugly. Oh yeah, make sure you do this when the valve is not operating or you will get quite wet.

We will be really busy this week in preparation for the High Desert Home Show in Victorville at the fairgrounds. Thats this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Stop by and see me.

Busy Busy and Busy some more!

2010-03-10T14:42:00.001-08:00

Ok. The last 30 days have been just filled with work. A lot of weed spraying work. I love helping people get a handle on their problems! The soil temperatures have risen enough to germinate lots of weeds with more to follow. Hard as I try to get people to plan ahead for the weeds, they mostly wait until they start to pop up. Human nature I guess! I shouldnt point fingers. I am a procrastinator toooooo.

Did I tell you I am now on the Board of Directors for the High Desert Contractor's association? The association is a group of licensed contractors, ya know.. electricians, painters, window people and such, from the valley that want to promote professionalism and ethical business pratices here in our little high desert valley. Our mission is to educate the contractors and consumers alike in fair and ethical business pratices so everyone can benefit.

Well, that happened in January and I got stu....uh er awarded the priveledge of writing the association newsletter. So 2 newsletters down and only 10 more to go for the year. That actually has been fun 'cause I get to do what I want because no one else is silly enough to complain or else they get the job. Although I do try to make it informative for all and I have actually had a few compliments.

Getting ready for the surge in business coming later this month when people realize spring has hit and they want to be a part of it. The Home Show will boost the mood and I'll be there to meet and greet and offer advice if you want to stop by. March 26th, 27th and 28th at the Victorville Fairgrounds. More on this later.

Desperately Seeking Landscape Perfection!

2010-02-11T10:25:00.000-08:00

Ok, I'm officially sick of the rain.

I know that it is good for the plants. I love not having to turn on my sprinkler clocks ( all 5 of them). They just replaced our water meter today, with a "new and improved" version that is supposed to be super efficient at tracking even the littlest flow of water so our water company doesnt miss out on ANY revenue. (Does it matter that the rates have quadrupled since 1992 when I moved here!) I need to go and check it out, because they did a sloppy job of putting things back and it is my opinion that if they are sloppy in one area of work, whats to say that they are not sloppy in installing the meter? It's ust a little leak, wont hurt.... I just think that they should be neater thats all. I mean, our name IS Perfection Landscape, after all.

It appeared that they just used some guy off the street. I dont know who they "contracted" to do it, but I didn't see any logo, uniform, or anything official. The guy looked like someone they would pick up in a park. After a recent conversation I had with a local water department guy advising me how I could get around the "regulations" so I could bid on a project coming up, I am a little dubious of anything they do.

Quality Questions Que Your Life

2010-02-07T19:36:00.000-08:00

Why have I let a whole week go by without starting that important personal creative project that seemed sooo possible a week ago? Is is because I have not set a schedule to work on it for fear of setting a standard I will not attain?

Fear. F.E.A.R. False Expectations Appearing Real.

Starting is the hardest part. Do it.

Sister's call leads to better pre-emergent application

2010-02-02T13:53:00.000-08:00

Ok, my sister read my blog about the pre-emergent application and reccommended to her friends that they read about it on my blog. (She's going to ask her gardeners to apply it.) I realized that I know all about pre-emergent, but perhaps YOU do not. So I thought I ought to give a couple of tips about the proper application of pre-emergent.

It is real simple. Prevent them before they start. But how to do it right. As with most things, if done improperly, it can be at best, ineffective and at worst, be downright dangerous. (think dead stuff you dont want dead)

Keep in mind a "professional knows dose" and as a licensed and trained professional pesticide (yes I used that terrible word) applicator, I really think the application of chemicals should be done by people who are familiar with and trained in the proper weed identification, application timing, various chemicals and application process of pre-emergents or any other chemicals.

I am going to get on my soapbox now. Just because your gardener makes his living at mowing your yard, does not a professional applicator make. If the size of your home dining table is all the people who have applied for landscape, gardening, spraying work with our company, then the number of people who actually had the skills and training to properly apply chemicals would fit on the head of a pin! One guy was even currently employed to spray and didnt even know how to figure square footage (sigh). Yeah anybody can go to Home Depot and buy stuff, but that doesn't make them a professional (or safe).

I reccommend you hire a licensed professional. The State of CA licenseses pest control applicators. You gotta know what you are doing to get a license. You test. You have to get continuing education every 2 years to renew your license. It's worth it. Check with your county agriculture department to get a reccomendation or list of applicators.

Unwanted Stimulus Package!

2010-01-28T15:08:00.000-08:00

Hey, Its soooo nice out. I'm enjoying the sun. It's been so wet lately. We had 5 inches of rain in just 5 days last week. I KNOW that all that rain is going to stimulate all the weed seeds lurking under the soil just waiting for the opportunity to pop up and ruin your weekends this spring. It'll be really nice and warm and all those weeds will be calling your name.

Get rid of them before they start. Put down a weed preventer, called pre-emergent. It works amazingly. We put down a lot of it this time of year for our clients. Some of our clients are smart and do it every year, sometimes twice a year before the weeds show up. Others, just wait it out hoping the weeds won't show and they won't have to spend the money. Dry years the gamblers sometimes win. Wet years, not so much.

I think Benjamin Franklin said "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." I think this applies here.

I just had breakfast with my Mom...

2010-01-28T11:40:00.000-08:00

"How can that be?!" you ask, "your Mom passed away 9 years ago!" Well, I just re-lived a lovely breakfast with my Mom channeled through the most amazing sticky buns I have eaten in years!

My Mom was not a great cook. I remember lots of goulash, and samon patties with the little round bones in them. Succotash. Canned vegetables. Not much stellar food on a day-to day- basis. I mean, you gotta understand. She had 4 hungry kids. a husband with a big appetite and a limited budget. You go with bulk and economy. As an adult, I can understand this.

BUT, she did know how to bake and to make specialty items. Some of my fondest food memories come from my Mom who couldn't really cook that well. One of those was Sticky Buns. Light, delicate, airy cinnamon rolls covered in gooey carmel and pecans! Mmmm you could taste the buttery carmel since it stuck to your teeth. But you didnt want to brush your teeth and waste all that goodness.

I have found a clone of my Mom's sticky buns right here in River City, I'm telling you boys! A litte place in Hesperia called The Cinnamon Roll Lady. Its on Main Street (760) 792-8119 place your order and you too can have breakfast with my Mom.

I'd post a picture of the lovely edibles, but I ate it all. There is always tomorrow

Post Script: Quality Questions

2010-01-26T07:35:00.000-08:00

I'm thinking about yesterday. Can't get it off my mind. I think my Quality Question of the day is:" What do I have to do to get more days like yesterday afternoon?"

Whether you want more of money, loafing, stamp collecting, golfing or whatever, you need to ask yourself a quality question: What's the question I have to ask myself to get more of what I want?"

Surprise visit makes my day!

2010-01-26T05:32:00.001-08:00

Well, the jobs down the hill didn't have too much of a mess from the storms to clean up. Everything went well and we came in on time. The weather was really nice yesterday until the afternoon when it became quite cloudy and grey.
The best part of the day came as a surprise when I returned home to find my son-in-law Shawn and my granddaughter Kennedy visiting! Shawn had come to get some computer advice from my husband who is a computer wizard and can do anything!
Kennedy patiently watched as I carefully parked the large truck and trailer. She seemed transfixed on it. I'm not sure if she was scared or not as the truck makes a lot of noise, for a little kid. After parking, she exploded into a run towards Grandma and Grandpa had to grab her so she didn't fall on the concrete. We had a lovely time feeding her (or trying to! she is sooo picky) and later looking at a book, her favorite thing. When we came to the page with all the vehicles on it, she broke into a smile and pointed at a picture and yelled "truck!" Oh, what fun she is!

Busy Day Ahead

2010-01-25T04:39:00.000-08:00

Well, its 4:30 am and I am getting ready to leave for down the hill today. I and my crew are going to take advantage of the few days of sun drying things out a bit and do some gardening for some clients before another round of rain comes tonight. Hope it isnt too bad. Took several days off last week cause there was no earthly reason to go out in the storms. I super enjoy tidying up the landscape. My favorite task is pruning, though not with a chain saw. That's not my forte. I prefer the less noisy pruning tasks. Let you know how it went

Remember:

"There are 3 things to a good life, learning, earning, and yearning" Christopher Morley

This day is all you got.

2010-01-24T10:40:00.001-08:00

My last post was wishing for snow and eventually we got a little with lots of rain. I kept meaning to post. The holidays came and went. I actually had time to watch a movie and take some personal time with some of my family at Christmas. The lively conversation, scrabble, tons of food, and laughter is imprinted in my brain forever. I imagine the others will remember bits and pieces.

You get to an age where you really wonder what your purpose in life is. Have I made a difference in anybody's life? Am I just here sucking up energy? What do I have to give back? Anthony Robbins says the quality of the questions you ask yourself determine the quality of your life. I am planning to make better use of the oxygen I breathe in making a difference to others.

I am reminded of this because of the sad blog post by a fellow blogger I follow. Her blog is here: http://natandabby.blogspot.com/ Johlene has lost her grandma Mema. Johlene was blessed to be able to be with her Mema until the last. One can read her blogs and see the impact one human being has made on her whole family. I'll pray that the feelings of loss and sorrow will be overshadowed by the gifts of love Mema left for them.

Remember, you only have this day. What will you be remembered for?

California Dreamin (of Snow of course!)

2009-12-10T20:19:00.000-08:00

Well, here in the usually sunny high desert, we finally got our first snow. A bit dissapointing with just an inch or two, not even picture worthy.

I remember the first year we moved here from "down below" in the greater LA basin where I lived most of my life and never saw it snow. Talking on the phone one day with my daughter in Boise shortly after we moved here, I peered out the window to see gigantic snow flakes coming down. They kept coming, and coming, and coming! It was fabulous! A warm fire in the fireplace and a winter wonderland all around. We got about 4-5 inches that first snow and I was hooked! So lovely, melted all away without a problem in a few days.

I came to long for the snow events. I was born in Iowa and snow is not so beloved by my family who lived their adulthoods there. As a landscaper, and a self-employed person who has to work every day want to or not, snow gives me an excuse written by Mother Nature herself! I get to take snow days and I'm not even in school.

Last year, pictured here was a different story for me. We got 2 feet of snow!! As you can see by the picture there was a lot of snow for southern California. We couldnt even get out the driveway for 5 days until a friend with a tractor came and scraped us out!

There was so much snow that our heater vent was covered and the heater wouldnt work so we (me) had to shovel our way to the firewood shed to keep us warm until enough snow melted to allow the heater to work again.

So I am looking forward to snow this year again, but I think I'll take the lighter kind somewhere inbetween a dusting and 2 feet!

I hope everyone has all their irrigation pipes insulated. Even with the insulation, we had a lot of broken pipes calls last year. We only had one client of ours that had a problem with their valve so that's a good sign.

Fall landscaping - the best time of all

2009-11-29T08:23:00.000-08:00

Well, the relatives are on the way home from a hearty and fun Thanksgiving weekend and the "Holiday Season" has officially arrived. I like to think of the Fall and Winter months as a kick back time. As a landscaper, we get so busy from March through October, we barely have time to think. I LOVE the fall! The landscapes we install this time of year get a kick start next spring and look fabulous wayyyyy early. And this time of year, we actually have time to plan, organize and make improvements that will carry us through the next year and beyond.

Ask anyone who is responsible for the Thanksgiving or the Christmas dinner... fail to plan and you plan to fail! And just try to tackle the Black Friday sales without a plan and come up empty handed or worse, with something you have to wait in line to return. In holidays past, it sometimes took several women several hours to plan the attack on the various store sales to get just the right thing. I dont know how we did it without cell phones!

We have become an instant society and we are paying the price. In our parents day, they planned for every major purchase and most of the minor ones too. Now we are paying the price with our current economy for our desire for instant gratification to buy the biggest, best, car, house, boat, ....fill in the blank.

I get people all the time wanting to landscape their back yard right away for a big landmark birthday or anniversary party or wedding reception. Two weeks to the party they call you and want the landscaping in the next week, I mean really...you knew last year you were gonna be 40 this year didn't you?

With landscaping it is no different. Hey with a plan, there are very few surprises and things come off as expected and on budget and on time. I always say no, you dont need a landscape design to landscape unless....... you dont care if you spend too much and take too long and have to re-do something. Dont get me started on the landscape plans, bidding, scheduling and legal notices and wait times we have to do.

Here's to your christmas list! Oh, and your New Year's Resolutions. Happy Planning!

So mad I can spit!

2009-11-24T06:38:00.000-08:00

I've heard and seen a lot of horror stories about people who have been taken advantage of by unlicensed contractors who dont know what they are doing. This is one of the worst I have personally worked on and they weren't even unlicensed!

I got a call recently to help an older couple with a problem in their backyard. It seems that they had contracted with a local licensed contractor to re-place their lawn and irrigation system in their back yard. That was in the spring.

The homeowner called me because my ad says "We Fix Others Mistakes!" Boy did he have a mess. The work done by the original contractor (contractor #1) was poorly done. The trenches had sunk several inches. They did not bother to compact the trenches before laying sod on top!

In addition, the lawn was extremely wet! I was puzzled by this and the fact that the second valve for the lawn did not work as if it was full on, sorta like there was a leak somewhere..... hmmm. The homeowner insisted there was no leak. He had hired another guy (contractor #2) to come in and do some sprinkler repairs in the summer because the original contractor had deleted some of the sprinkler heads that watered some of the plants and they were dying.

While running the sprinklers it was obvious to me that the lawn was getting spongy, like a water bed in certain places. I called the homeowner over and showed him. He now could see how the water pooled in certain places and let me dig them up,

I found no less than 3 (count em, three!) broken lines. These lines were spewing water into the soil every time the sprinklers ran! Keep in mind that this is November now and two 3/4inch pipes and one 1/2 inch pipe running for 5 minutes twice a day for 7 days a week is a LOT of water.

As you can see by this picture, the pipes were ragged and broken. I surmised that the contractor trenched for the new system, the trencher chewing up the old system and they "forgot" to cap off the old pipes!! Apparently they didn't bother to check their work.

The homeowner was really disgusted with the original contractor and realized that even when someone has a contractor's license, doesn't mean you will get a good job! They ended up spending as much to fix the job as they did originally. Some bargan!

The Frost is on the pumpkin...

2009-09-17T05:50:00.000-07:00

Oh, OK, OK it's 97 degrees out there! but the nights are much cooler here in the Victor Valley and Inland empire of Southern California. It got down to 47 degrees two nights ago and Darling Hubby is worried about freeze protection.

He has always been one to be prepared. So we will check all our hose faucets ( hose bibs) and valves and make sure the insulation is up to par and check on all our jobs in the mountains to make sure they are all set too.

It still is a little early to winterize your irrigation system just yet. I look forward with great anticipation to the chill weather. It makes it easier to work outdoors. I am not a fan of hot weather. The plants need less water, ( saves $$$) in the fall and winter.

Shocking, Really

2009-09-03T19:36:00.000-07:00

I LOVE helping people with their gardens. It's the most, best thing I do. I often get calls and help people with a little advice over the phone if they are not ready for a full on paid consultation.

People really are surprised sometimes at the simplicity of the advice. I often advise people with pest issues like aphids on a favorite shrub just to wash it off as a first step. This often washes off most of the bugs and they become less of a problem. Plant then recovers. Seems crazy as I am a licensed and trained pest control operator here in the State of Cali for nia and make no money off that advice.

OR... how about this? Small plant having extreme problems? Try REPLACING it. Cheaper than spraying usually.

This week, however I was the one surprised when speaking with a woman over the phone. She sounded quite intelligent and spoke well. She was concerned with the potential for bark beetles in the Pinion Pines on her heavily wooded lot (which is why she bought the lot in the first place). She was genuinely surprised that I said the best defense against the bark beetle was a healthy tree, which included WATERING them. Something she had not considered before.

OK, I am just glad that I could help. I sometimes forget that things that are elementry to me may not be so obvious to others. I will keep that lesson in my head when I am helping others.

Stand and Dance not Sit and Spin

2009-08-31T06:51:00.000-07:00

I am not much of a garage sale person. I don't really have a need to aquire "things" anymore. But with the way babies grow out of the things they need, (and the things you just "have" to get them) some times you just have to go there.

Such was the case for a "sit and spin". we talked about getting one for Kennedy for a while now and I have been on the look out for a sale. Just noticed a yard sale one sunday morning with kid stuff and stopped off to look. ( for once I was not in a hurry to get someplace). I scored an umbrella stroller for grandma's baby stash and a brand new Sit n Spin still in the box . I put it together and eagerly awaited an opportunity to be with Kennedy again. That opportunity recently arrived and we pulled out the sit n spin much to Kennedy's delight.

However, she does not sit or spin on this device. It has lites and music if you push the top buttons wonderful upbeat music plays and lites flash off and on. She adores it. She will crawl over to the sit n spin and pull herself up to a standing position and dance to the music.

When we sent it to Kennedy's house, Katie say she does this several times a day and says "happy,happy,happy!" while dancing to the music. I think I have earned my "Grandma Card"

Look for the crawlers!

2009-08-28T11:35:00.000-07:00

Here in the Victor Valley it is the right time to treat for late summer crawlers. You may first notice it as sticky drips under a woody shrub or tree. You look up and see little white specks in the branches. A closer look shows the white stuff looks like it is fuzzy with little ridges kind of like a shell. To see a picture from UC Davis's IPM website go here. Some people get this little creep mixed up with a mealybug but this is cottony cushiony scale a soft bodied scale. If you see little brown bugs nearby, this is the immature bug and they are the crawlers and are mobile. Eventually the female attaches herself to a leaf and begins to give off a waxy substance to protect her and her eggs. The waxy substance protects her from the typical pesticide so the best time is to treat the invasion is during the crawler stage every 7 to 10 days for 2 to 3 weeks.

The time to act is now!

Really Irritated!

2009-08-24T07:44:00.000-07:00

People who know us know that we rarely take time off of " the business". Even weekends are spent catching up on paperwork, bids, marketing, etc. After a rare evening off playing with baby Kennedy over friday night so Katie and Shawn could go to the show, we spend Saturday on major clean up from Fleas the cats got. (more on that later).

We decided to go to the movies on Sunday at the Mall in Victorville. There were two movies we wanted to see. Potter and District 9. (me not so much District 9). According to the newspaper, both were showing at around the same time. So off we go get in the car and drive the 12 miles to the theatre, stand in line to buy the tickets. While in line, we duked it out which movie to see. Go to buy the tickets and the girl says the movie doesnt start for 90 minutes! Whoa! How bout the other one? It just started! Seems the good ol Daily Press movie times have been off for the whole weekend. Not wanting to waste 90 minutes waiting, we just went home to WORK some more. Bummer.

By coincidence, the paper had an article the same day that theatres are not advertising in the print media so much anymore due the the fact that people check the times on line! News to me. I guess I will be checking on line too. Seems that the newspaper is their own worst enemy!

The Coolest Pool!

2009-08-23T19:14:00.001-07:00

OK, I just read about the coolest thing! Part of my job is to help people design the scenery of their lives. I take the various wants and needs of the the property owner and weave it into a fabulous design that will mesh with their lifestyle and create the perfect compliment to their home and lives.

Often pools are a part of that equation. I just read about the neatest pool in the Watershapes August 2009 issue. this pool was designed specifically to convert a solid deck to a 5 and a half foot deep pool in a matter of 2 minutes! It's called a Hidden Water Pool and was designed by inventor Stefan Kanetis of San Diego for his mother who needed to exercise but was unable to lower herself into and out of a pool by herself due to arthritis.

Think of it! Want to go swimming or exercising in the pool but have limited ability to climb in and out of the pool? Just walk to the deck and push a button and wait for the floor to lower you into the water and up when you are done!

Want a cooling water feature to play in but worried about the baby falling into the water? When done swimming or exercising, push a button and no standing water to worry about because the floor of the pool rises to the level of the deck. You can even vary the depth of the pool to accomodate different ages or abilities. AMAZING!!!

Tomato Worms and Koi

2009-08-08T10:01:00.000-07:00

I'm really enjoying my tomato and pepper plants. Every year, I say I am going to grow a veggie garden, and every year, I just don't make time for it. This year I started small with a few tomatos and green peppers.

The taste of freshly picked tomato or pepper is not able to be duplicated from the grocery store. Every time I walk by the plants, the aroma is intoxicating and makes me want to be more creative in the kitchen. A new interest that my husband is thrilled with.

One of the things that I don't like is the tomato worms. I was doing great for a few months, but recently started noticing some bare branches on the tomatos. Sure enough, there they were.
Those big, fat ,green, ugly guys snacking on my matos! Even though I am a licensed pesticide applicator, it just isn't necessary to spray them with chemicals. Don't get me wrong, chemicals have their place, it just isn't on my plate!

It does, however give me great satisfaction to pluck those little buggers off the plants and toss them in the pond. My koi LOVE them.

Why is my rose bush all spotty?

2009-06-07T13:12:00.000-07:00

I got this question from a client of mine. Her roses are amazing! However one bush has this discoloration on the leaves even though the rest of the plant and blooms appear just fine. She wanted to know what the problem is. This is Rose Mosaic Virus. This virus does not move from plant to plant and does not seem to affect the health of the plant, only the appearance. If it is disturbing to you, replace the plant with a new one.

OK, OK.. a little late with the new year's resolution

2009-01-26T21:28:00.000-08:00

Regular blogging is therapeutic, (I'm told). I resolved to blog "regularly" this year. Last year's "regularly" was like every 6 months. Let's see if I can improve on that. I also resolved to strenghten and make better our personal life and home just like normal people ( those who don't own their own business).

December was a big challenge. The coughing crud got a hold of me and hasn't let go quite yet. The two feet of snow we got didn't help matters much. Not that I don't long for snow every year, but this was ridiculous. Shoveling snow 100 feet just to get to the firewood in the shed is no fun. Even I was tempted when Hubby Darling suggested a state-of-the-art snow blower would be the best way to be prepared NEXT time. Cooler heads prevailed and we got tractored out of our little snowfort and spread salt to keep the melting snow from freezing on the driveway and falling on our cushioned spots.

Now I am concerned about how all the salt will affect all the lawns. The warmer weather recently has greened up the lawns considerably and so far they are showing no ill effects. The topiary shrubs (hereafter called poodles) in front of the house got shazammed by the snow sliding off the roof and into the poor poodles. They will never be the same. Lost a window box too. I think we will take all of the boxes out of commission for the near future.

I really need to get into the nursery and clean up the plants there. That's where we keep plants that I overbuy for jobs just in case I need them and can't get them later for warranty. I also keep my potted "wounded" plants that get replaced from jobs because they don't look so good. I somehow think that if given enough time they will "snap out of it" as Cher would say. Some do. Some dont.

I"ve noticed just a few weeds are starting to pop up here and there. I put the weed pre-emergent (preventer) down here at home today. We've been busy on weed patrol for our clients lately. With all the wet weather we've had this season, we will have a big weed crop this year. I usually wait until we have weeds i simply can't ignore before I get around to doing ours. I am actually being pro-active for us and not just my clients. Amazing. there might just be something to that resolution thing afterall.

The High Desert Home Show

2008-11-08T07:22:00.000-08:00

This weekend is the High Desert Home Show at the Victorville Fairgrounds. I really have a love-hate relationship with the home show. We have a booth at both the April and November shows.
This November is no exception.

We've decided not to participate in the "theory" that there is a recession and nobody wants to buy things. This is an evil plot carried out by the Media and we are just plain stupid if we buy into it. Fear is the selling point to the media.That's how they sell their programs. They tease you with what might happen and we idiots just sit around and make it a self-fullfilling prophecy.

The love-hate thing comes into play with all the effort and TIME it takes to prepare, set up and take down. ( that's the hate part). The Love part comes with all the cool people who come by and talk to you. I see lots of clients and friends (they're really the same thing). I actually get paid to talk to them! I also get to meet lots of new people, see my compadres in the business and connect with other business who I might buy from and refer and vicey versey.

This year the displays are awesome! (including mine by the way). Come by and see us and all the other vendors at the Home Show and prove all those Media Monsters wrong!

Landscape Design Class Question...

2008-07-07T09:13:00.000-07:00

Just a Note…

If you missed my class on Landscape Design and Renovation at Victor Valley College in June, there will be another one in September. Give me a call and I’ll get you registered for the September class.
One of the more interesting questions from the class was a question regarding Joshua trees: Can they be trimmed?

Joshua trees are either loved or hated. They are native to the high desert and do well in our climate and soils. Although they grow very slowly, many of us have inherited some very large specimen trees on our property. Not all of them are in a convenient place. Since they are a protected species, some people are concerned about trimming them. The quick answer: yes, go ahead.

Joshua trees get very top heavy and have shallow fibrous roots, which can be seen when the occasional JT falls over. I recommend limited trimming of the flower/seed pods and/or branches sprouting from the side of another branch resulting in an uneven weight distribution. The trimming can promote a healthier more structurally sound tree if done correctly.

And so it begins.....

2008-07-07T08:44:00.000-07:00

Hello All,

I've created this blog to help you with the Scenery of Your Life. As a landscape designer, installer and maintainer since 1972, I've ben around the block a time or two. I have met a lot of incredible people and have seen some great landscapes. I hope to bring some advice to your garden that will help you bring peace and serenity to your world.