Video - Pete, the praying mantis is on the prowl

 

Pete, the praying mantis is on the prowl for the bad bugs that chew up my plants. Praying mantis are indicators of a healthy, pesticide free garden. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Video - Remembering Maui

 

5 years ago I took my wife to Maui for our anniversary. I was remembering those wonderful memories when I saw that wildfires destroyed the town of Lahaina, where we stayed back in 2018. Here are some of those memories. Below are some links to help Maui rebuild; https://lahainatown.com/ https://www.mauinuistrong.info https://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/maui-strong https://www.redcross.org/local/hawaii/get-help/hawaii-wildfires-response-.html

Photo - Snow Bush (Breynia disticha)

 

This colorful shrub is great for Southern California coastal gardens.

Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Taken in Coronado

 

Video - Pink Floss Silk Tree (Ceiba speciosa)

 

Here is a popular tree in Southern California. The Floss Silk Tree (Ceiba speciosa) comes in pink and white. This native of South America can reach 70 feet tall and 40 feet wide. The beautiful fall flowers become seed pods fill a fibrous silky material that birds love for building nest in the spring. This tree can have aggressive roots so a root barrier is recommended when planting this tree. Also, here are the links to buy a root barrier. https://amzn.to/3krPvcd https://amzn.to/3xVydaz https://www.ndspro.com/shop/root-barriers/root-barrier-sheet-material.html Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Video - How to Install a Tile Patio or Walkway

 

Tile is a great material for outdoor walkways and patios. Travertine, Quartzite or Porcelain are all good choices. Here's how it gets installed. Thank you to Unique Landscaping for their assistance in making this video. Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Video - This Week in Landscape Construction #7 Flagstone Patio, Driveway, Wall ...

 

The construction tour continues as I check on 6 projects I designed. This week the crews install a concrete driveway, stem wall, artificial turf, a flagstone pool deck, fix clay soil for planting and renovate an old wall. Looking for more patio ideas? Check out these books; https://amzn.to/3ixeAhM https://amzn.to/3DepGjk https://amzn.to/3lwOmxK Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Photos - Fig trees and its fruit

 

This drought tolerant tree produces tasty fruit

 

Video - How to Divide Amaryllis Bulbs

 

Every 2 to 3 years it is a good idea to dig up and divide Amaryllis bulbs. Here's how to do it. Also, here are some links to buy the bulbs now for a beautiful spring garden. https://amzn.to/3LkOtJh (this is the one in the video) https://amzn.to/3sYlunZ https://amzn.to/3ECzkPK Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Photo - Praying Mantis

You know you are doing organic gardening right when you have one of these sneaking 

around in the in the plants.

Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Taken in my own garden.

 

Video - Why do Snails Bunch up Like This?

 

Have you ever wondered why snails bunch up like this. Here is the answer. It's summer hibernation. Hate snail? Here are some organic snail killers; https://amzn.to/44I9DrE https://amzn.to/3PcCbDS https://amzn.to/44I9ODk Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Video - How a Monster Concrete Driveway Gets Poured Part 2

 

This project involves a giant 4,000 square foot concrete driveway. Here is day 2 of the big pour. 6 trucks were used today in pouring half of this colored concrete driveway. This is a colored concrete from Davis Colors called Palomino. Looking for more pathway and driveway ideas? Check out these books; https://amzn.to/3ixeAhM https://amzn.to/3DepGjk Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Video - This Week in Landscape Construction #6

 

 

The construction tour continues as I check on 5 projects I designed. Looking for more patio ideas? Check out these books; https://amzn.to/3ixeAhM https://amzn.to/3DepGjk https://amzn.to/3lwOmxK Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Photo - Panda Plant (Kalanchoe tomentosa)

 

The Panda Plant is also known as the Chocolate Soldier and is great for pots.

Photo by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design

Taken at a client's garden in San Diego 

 

Video - Some Peaceful Koi

 

Here are 2 peaceful minutes of slow swimming koi fish. Enjoy! Video by Doug Kalal, Great Gardens Landscape Design