Creative Yards and Pools
Call or email us: 925-806-8414, mike@creativeyards.com
Native and Adaptive Plants
On-Site Storm Water Collection
Lawn Alternitives
Permeable Paving
Friends to the Environment!!
Creative Yards and Pools promotes environmentally friendly and Green Landscaping by maintaining expertise in Green landscape best practices and offering appropriate green alternatives during the design stages and construction. The following are some landscape elements that we can incorporate into the design and construction plan:
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Use native and adaptive plant pallets
Use native and adaptive plant pallets•Understand micro climates (wind direction, sun exposure, seasonal temperatures and rainfall and plant accordingly.
Understand micro climates (wind direction, sun exposure, seasonal temperatures and rainfall and plant accordingly.• Disturb the site as little as possible during construction. Stockpile topsoil for later use.
Disturb the site as little as possible during construction. Stockpile topsoil for later use.• Let trees already on the site contribute to energy conservation by leaving conifers on the north side of the house to block wind in winter and deciduous trees to the south to block the summer sun.
Let trees already on the site contribute to energy conservation by leaving conifers on the north side of the house to block wind in winter and deciduous trees to the south to block the summer sun.• Provides options/ alternatives to grass that needs constant attention, chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and watering.
• Use low water irrigation systems (drip, MP rotors) as well as timers and moisture sensing devices that regulate water use.
Use low water irrigation systems (drip, MP rotors) as well as timers and moisture sensing devices that regulate water use.•Use water permeable materials for walk-ways and patios to minimize runoff.
Use water permeable materials for walk-ways and patios to minimize runoff.• Use Organic Mulch in planting beds.
Use Organic Mulch in planting beds.• Install rain water collection systems,
Install rain water collection systems,• Install Vegetable planters
Install Vegetable planters• Use recycle facilities for construction debris and green waste when ever possible.
• Solar heating for Pools, in concrete patio
Native Plants are essential to our environment as they allow native insects and birds to thrive. In addition, Native and adaptive plants (plants that come from other Mediterranean climate areas of the world) are low maintenance and require little water. Any style garden can be created using native and adaptive plants. From the obvious Mediterranean Garden to even Cottage Gardens and Formal Gardens.
The garden pictured above incorporates all native and adaptive plant species to create a ‘Cottage Garden’ surrounding a , Permeable, Decomposed Granite patio.
Irrigation is a low water drip system on timers to regulate the amount of water used.
Keeping rain water on site reduces loads on storm sewers and reduces watering loads.
Rainwater can be gathered, stored and then used as needed in either an above-ground cistern or underground tank. The tank above is buried under the front lawn of the home.
Cisterns can have a spigot that can be connected to a hose for ease of use.
Alturnitivly, Ponds or vegetated swales can be constructed to help hold water during heavy rain. This water can be used to irrigate when there is less precipitation.
Its one thing to agree that lawns are expensive to maintain and require water usage and chemical applications that are not good for the environment. And, we can recognize that gravel patios or other permeable hard surface, low water plantings of ground cover or even filling the entire space with a beautiful low water garden would be esthetically pleasing alternatives to a large expanse of lawn.
But, what do we do if we love the look of a nice lush lawn or have children or animals that need space to run and play?
Consider today’s artificial lawn products. Lush Green blades of grass that looked exactly like real grass but happened to be plastic, laid down like a carpet, over prepared ground. Artificial turf is durable enough for large dogs and can be hosed off for easy mess clean-up. (it’s permeable and drains itself). . It provides great play space for children as well
The landscape above incorporates artificial lawn, low- water native and adaptive plants, organic mulch, low water drip irrigation as well as permeable pavers for the walkways and large driveway.
The earth/ soil acts as a natural filter.
Porous or pervious pavement options reduces water run-off by allowing water to percolate through the surface, filtering pollutants (chemicals and silt) that would eventually find their way to rivers or other water sources.
When incorporated into a proper site design, these systems reduce water run-off, promotes the recharge of local aquifers (ground water) and reduces pollutants in local water supplies and natural water habitats.
