David West - Born Imagery Turquoise fish scale tiles can be found at https://mercurymosaics.com/collections/moroccan-fish-scales

Soil squeeze test for rich organic soil amended with compost. Falon Mihalic

Design ideas for a farmhouse full sun vegetable garden landscape in Portland.

One-of-a-kind and other very rare plants are around every corner. The view from any angle offers something new and interesting. The property is a constant work in progress as planting beds and landscape installations are in constant ebb and flow.

From the street, a round rock pathway leads to a small seating area next to the water with a small fire pit. Low maintenance, drought resistant and salt tolerant plantings were used in mass and clumps. This garden has become the focus of the neighborhood with many visitors stopping and enjoying what has become a neighborhood landmark. Located on the shores of Puget Sound in Washington State. Photo by R. Scott Lankford

Terren Landscapes http://www.terrenlandscapes.com 2014 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner Category: Residential $60,000-$120,000 Award Level: Silver Project Description: We were contracted by the family to create a master plan for the property. They were experiencing extreme drainage and erosion problems due to the surrounding properties’ drastic grade changes. Erosion had caused the rear lawn to sink in various areas and the existing rear patio spaces were failing. The client wanted to rebuild their patios and walkways, repave their driveway and give their home more visual appeal. Most importantly, they wanted an environmentally friendly solution. Our design solution was to create a rain garden that would slow storm water runoff, allow for percolation, and promote infiltration, while permitting excess clean water to enter the storm drain at the street with slower velocity. The rain garden acts as a temporary holding space that allows the earth to slowly absorb water, rather than overwhelm the nearby storm drain. Our first objective was to conduct a percolation test to determine the amount of clay soil that needed to be removed before reaching the sandy loam layer. A percolation test and storm water calculations were generated to accommodate a 1” rain event. Based on our calculations and the small size of the property, we determined a depth of 18” was necessary for optimal holding capacity. We removed 18” of clay soil until a layer of sandy loam was encountered. Next, the soil was amended with compost and sand to create a highly porous planting media for the basin of the garden. We piped the three existing rear downspouts to the rain garden area to capture for infiltration and alleviate runoff throughout the rear lawn and patio space. We installed an 18” wide over-flow standpipe at a 24” depth into the ground that outlets to a stone swale that carries the water to the property edge. As an added means of holding the maximum amount of water, we designed the standpipe to sit 14” above grade. The height of this standpipe allows this rain garden to capture 14” of water before reaching the overflow capacity. We placed geotextile fabric to help reduce migration of the stones into the soil and aid in the prevention of weeds and erosion. We heavily planted the rain garden to further aid in absorption and to attract local wildlife. A native plant palette of butterfly weed, Panicum, Joe-Pye weed, and asters form a colorful backdrop while the basin was filled with obligate wetland plants such as royal ferns, irises and cardinal flowers. The upper edges in the foreground are planted with Echinacea, Rudbeckia and Monarda, satisfying the local bird community and adding bright seasonal colors. This garden effectively collects and cleanses rainwater while creating a habitat for birds, frogs, and butterflies. Our next challenge was to redesign the existing patios and walkways without increasing impervious surfaces. According to township regulations this property was currently at its maximum capacity, therefore we designed the front and rear patios with a slightly smaller footprint to decrease their existing impervious surfaces. New planting beds were designed throughout the entire property. Plants were chosen that were tolerant of specific site conditions. For the rear yard, we choose a backdrop of witch hazel and hollies to provide an evergreen screen as well as early spring color. We placed hydrangea throughout to add summer color. We planted ostrich fern under the existing spruce tree to create a lush floor. This area became an additional backdrop for the rain garden as well as a screen for the neighboring property. We choose a combination of ‘Blue Star’ juniper and creeping jenny to soften the existing rear wall with creepers. Around the rear patio areas we choose a combination of Liatris, Rudbeckia and ‘Lo and Behold’ butterfly bush. This combination of plants works in harmony with the rain garden and attracts additional butterflies. For the front of the property we worked with an existing Japanese maple that provided dense shade. We choose a shade-tolerant combination of Heuchera, Astilbe, ferns and hostas for this area. We added more hydrangeas to the front foundation of the house to provide lush layering of plant material and visual interest with additional summer blooms. Overall, we were able to exceed the client’s needs and expectations in transforming their property into a colorful paradise that attracts wildlife from season to season. The plant palette provides seasonal interest and the rain garden has successfully decreased storm water runoff. The new hardscape surfaces were designed and built with a slightly smaller footprint to decrease impervious surfaces. This project is a positive example of how all properties, regardless of size, can make an ecological difference by decreasing impervious surfaces and maintaining proper storm water management. Photo Credit: Terren Landscapes

Once completely dominated by Eucalyptus forest, this site was degraded with poor soils and the house construction created a large area of disturbance. We restored the site to the point that within a year it looks as though nature slowly took over on its own. A strictly native plant palette of simple textures and masses of similar species achieves the affect. This garden was featured in the 2013 Santa Barbara Botanic Garden annual garden tour. Carex praegracilis, Thalictrum fendleri, Leymus condensatus, Quercus agrifolia Andri Beauchamp, photo

photos: Kyle Born
Living room - eclectic light wood floor living room idea in New York with a standard fireplace, no tv and multicolored walls

Raised beds hold organic garden soil mix that ranges from 8" - 2' deep. Here you see a late winter, very early spring view of this salad garden in metro Atlanta. Various types of lettuce, kale, parsley, and chives are accented by pansies which have edible flowers. After our frost date, most of this will be removed. Tomatoes will be planted in the center where the soil is deepest. Basil and mesclun will be planted around. THIS PHOTO HAS BEEN FEATURED TWICE IN A HOUZZ EDITORIAL LINK! Here is the link! EDIBLE GARDENING ESSENTIALS - WATERING ITPS IDEAS WORTH SOAKING UP - https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/27368798/list/edible-gardening-essentials-watering-tips-worth-soaking-up Photographer: Danna Cain, Home & Garden Design, Inc.

David West - Born Imagery Turquoise fish scale tiles can be found at https://mercurymosaics.com/collections/moroccan-fish-scales

The owners of this modest 2,300 square foot country home wanted to minimize their impact on the Earth and establish a lasting connection to nature. The project employed local craftsmen and used natural, recycled, locally sourced materials. The sunroom features an earthen mud floor made from the soil of the site! The house employs passive solar design concepts; the sunroom, situated at the center of the house, captures the warmth of the sun and radiates it throughout the living spaces. With sustainable building techniques, sensitive attention to the surrounding environment, and framed views of the exterior from every interior space, this house celebrates its site and connection to the land.

This is a restorative native California garden features plants such as Leymus, Festuca, Muhlenbergia, Baccharis, Juncus, sedges, coyote mint and meadow grasses. Repair of the creek bank, boulder bridge, concrete and soil deer paths, side sloped bocce ball court, and a vegetable garden are all components.

View from driveway of green wall and mahogany deck stair Kyle Born
Trendy brick patio vertical garden photo in Philadelphia with no cover

This is a restorative native California garden features plants such as Leymus, Festuca, Muhlenbergia, Baccharis, Juncus, sedges, coyote mint and meadow grasses. Repair of the creek bank, boulder bridge, concrete and soil deer paths, side sloped bocce ball court, and a vegetable garden are all components.

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary backyard gravel vegetable garden landscape in San Francisco.

Naturalist, hot tub with flagstone, Stone Fire Pit, adirondack chairs make a great outdoor living space. Holly Lepere
Inspiration for a rustic backyard stone patio remodel in Santa Barbara with a fire pit

Photo of an industrial raised garden bed in Seattle.

Drivable Grass® is a permeable, flexible, and plantable concrete pavement system that is environmentally friendly and a beautiful alternative to poured concrete and asphalt. Drivable Grass ® applications include driveways, parking, pathways, patios, boat ramps, courtyards and green roofs.

Potting mixes for container gardens need to drain freely, but still retain moisture. My base potting soil mix contains (clockwise from upper left) coarse builder's sand, high-quality organic compost or worm castings, coconut coir, and small lava rock. I supplement this with additional compost, fresh worm castings, and organic soil amendments, with the amounts varying depending on what I'm planting. Photo by Steve Masley